It seems like a lot people have not been satisfied with the quality of the WWE's programming. It doesn't matter what it is, if it has anything to do with the product it's been scrutinized. Not enough spotlight on cruiserweights, lack of legitimate tag-teams and misuse of countless superstars are just a few of the things that fans have griped about. Ever since WCW and ECW went under wrestling fans have been clamouring about not having another option.

Ring Of Honor is limited to its live shows in the northeast and for the time being TNA can only rely monthly PPVs and web casts of iMPACT! And while Ohio Valley Wrestling is making a splash with the addition of Paul Heyman, it's pretty much only televised in local areas. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy watching amateur wrestlers like Cormier man-handle people as much as the next guy but it just doesn't do it for me.

UFC, K-1 and other MMA is pretty cool too but to me, it's lacking a great deal in the entertainment department. I'm sure it would be more exciting if I was watching it live but it just doesn't keep my interest. I can only watch two men pummelling hell out of each other for so long before I get bored with it. I know that there are various other companies in the world but I'm pretty much limited to what's available on basic cable.

The point is that there is something else out there that's just as good, Lucha Libre promotions CMLL and AAA. I stumbled upon this gold-mine a few months ago and have been hooked on it ever since. It took me a few shows to figure out what was going on but once I did I couldn't get enough. It was late one weekend, about 2:45 or so in the morning and I had just finished playing PS2 (probably creating a superstar) when I felt like watching some TV.

Little did I know that this wrestling show on channel 50 Galavisi�n would become my new passion. It didn't matter to me that a lot of the wrestlers were old and to the naked eye, out of shape. It didn't matter to me that within weeks I saw patterns and could telegraph what would happen next. It didn't matter to me that these shows were taped several months ago and were barely being televised until now.

All that really mattered to me was that I finally found something else to indulge my demanding appetite. In Mexico, Lucha Libre is more about tradition then it is here in the United States. Storylines are the product of events and feuds that took place in the past and not of a creative team of writers. Naturally, some matches are better than others but the point is that these men and women eat, sleep and breathe their vocation.

I always knew that wrestling was big in Mexico but it wasn't until I sat down and watched it that I realized how exciting it really is. One night I saw the lovely Faby Apache dispose of La Diabolica (I think) with her version of the 'Angel's Wings'. I thought it was very impressive. So much in fact I wished that I could fly to Mexico one day and watch it live amongst the frenzied 'public�'.

Lucha Libre truly has it all; tremendous technical wrestling, tons of high-flying moves, a legitimate women's division and devastating finishers. To me, everything is entertaining. From the signature entrance music to the hilarious commentary and play by play of the announcers. I can't promise that it will enrich your life the way it did mine but the potential is there, all you have to do is tune in and see for yourself.

by Daniel Garcia ..