Welcome to my first column of ˇLucharan! The literal translation of the Spanish word lucharan is "they will wrestle." Those of you who have caught much lucha libre on Galavision no doubt recognize that as the ring announcer's opening cue for each match he introduces, the most frequent intro being "Lucharaaaaan, dos de treis caidas, sin limite de tiempo!" (They will wrestle, two out of three falls, no time limit!)
So, with a column bearing a lucha libre oriented title on a wrestling nostalgia website, I figure the subject of most of my columns is already obvious.
I was lucky to have discovered pro wrestling when and where I did; Southern California in 1972. We got the best of both American and Mexican style wrestling in Mike LaBell's promotion back then. In addition to American stars like John Tolos, Freddie Blassie, and The Destroyer, we also enjoyed frequent appearances by South of the border stars like Raul Mata, Mil Mascaras, and the tag team of Black Gordman and Great Goliath.
In addition to enjoying the abovementioned folks as established regulars in Los Angeles wrestling, we also were treated to occasional appearances by other lucha legends like El Solitario, Ray Mendoza, and Raul Reyes. Add appearances by folks like Korea's Kim Sung Ho, Japan's Masa Saito, Argentina's Coloso Colosetti, England's David Morgan and Steve Wright, and Puerto Rican babyface Victor Rivera, I would bank that the territory had one of the most diverse international talent pool of wrestlers in the United States. It was a great time to be a fan!
In addition to being an incurable wrestling fan, I have also had the good fortune to be involved in various Southern California based independent wrestling organizations as an active wrestler, referee, and occasional booker. I began wrestling American style in 1983, but had a bitch of a time getting bookings because of my 5-foot, 7-inch, 160 pound frame. At that point, I had lost interest in pure lucha style, and was more taken with the wrestling scene in Japan and the U.S.
That changed in 1989 when I was working out with a fellow gringo at Gil Arellano's Gym in East Los Angeles. We arrived at the gym without realizing that longtime lucha local boy Chacal Rivera was teaching a class that morning. Rivera tried to talk us into giving the lucha style class a try. My friend had no interest in "that Mexican crap," and I was intimidated as the style looked complicated to me. But Chacal was cordial and encouraging enough that I figured, "Why not?" And ... after giving his class a shot, my love of lucha libre was rekindled.
I learned a whole new style of wrestling, and for the first time in my life, indie promoters didn't look at me and shrug, "You gotta gain about thirty pounds before I book you!" The experience of learning both American and Lucha style of pro wrestling also gave me newfound appreciation of folks like Terry Funk, who can create a good match with a wrestler who works a style that's foreign in his textbook.
Even though I continue to be a semi-active and competent indie wrestler, it has always been a part-time gig, and I have always considered myself to be more of a fan than a wrestler. I began using the name Vandal Drummond when I began wrestling on lucha indie shows in 1991, and have been working under a hood as "Lucky Pierre" for the past three years. Those of you who are already familiar with me know my name is Kurt Brown. The reason I'm writing this column under my wrestling moniker is simple: Vandal Drummond has a sweeter ring to it than Kurt Brown.
The basis of my columns on this site will focus on everything from lucha history to my personal recollections and anecdotes as a fan, and as a wrestler/hanger-on in the California lucha scene. I have written occasional stories for magazines, fanzines, and newsletters, and this will be my first go at a regular column. Hope you cats find it enjoyable! Feel free to send me an e-mail at
