Hello and welcome to Screwball Psyche, today we are going to be talking about
the real Nachol Libre. The 2006 film Nacho Libre starring Jack Black was a
fairly average comedy. The absurd film follows the life of a Mexican cook
living in a monestary. Unhappy with the ingredients the monastery can afford, he
decides to become a Mexican wrestler to better finance his kitchen. In
particular he wants to be able feed the poor, hungry children under their
care. As wrestling is considered a sin in the monastery, he leads a double life
hiding has identity as a wrestler. As to be expected Jack Black's character is
wildly loud and over the top with comedic energy. And, as ridiculous the film
is, amazingly it was inspired by real-life. The real Nacho Libre was based
on a life and escapades of father Gutierrez
aka Fray Tormenta. As stated by the Guardian, he grew up in the rough streets
of Mexico City as the 15th of 17 siblings. He struggled to make money but survived
selling ice lollies and by crafting chairs for customers. He would try his
hand at anything in order to raise money, which led to an eclectic work experience.
He was a circus performer, busker, band member, and he also worked in a theater.
These experiences would help him build the charismatic and theatrical flair
needed in the world of wrestling. However he also developed a thirst fol narcotics,
and he soon had a substance abuse addiction. It was this addiction that led
him to find religion. He stumbled into a church whilst high and hallucinated
that he was performing Mass at the altar. He spoke to the Guardian how the
experience inspired him. Quote: "I thought to myself if there were only some cool
and laid back priests out there, who understood us, then many of us would
change. Allegedly after this experience he strapped himself to a bed for 72
hours to detox his system and become clean. In 1973 his goal would become a
reality as he was ordained. His church became a haven for abandoned children, who
he hid in the church buildings at night.
However he was denied the chance to open an official orphanage by his superiors
as they would not funder it. But, Gutierrez did not take no for an answer and opened La
Casa Hogar orphanage. He would fund the orphanage in other ways. Another quote
in the guardian reads: "I read the papers and thought wrestlers earned as much money
as Cassius Clay. I thought I'll do it for a year
build a city for children and then bye-bye
In 1978 he did just that, entering the ring for the first time as a
wrestler. He wore a yellow costume with red tights, a cape and traditional
luchador mask which he designed himself. Again he spoke of the experience to the
Guardian: "I was nervous, it was Sunday and I had masses
to give at 7, 9, 12 and then 6 in the evening. I got dressed in my boots and
costume, and when mass was over I went to the arena. I put my mask on before I
went in and nobody knew it was. me I won" He had tried to keep as identity hidden
but was recognized by fellow fighter Huracen Ramirez. The local bishop was not
happy about this, but other than that he became a local legend. The legitimate back
drop of his priesthood gave his religious themed wrestling act the
authenticity and shock value. With this he was given more opportunities than he
would have had previously, and he claimed he wrestled with the best of his generation.
This included wrestling trips to Japan and the USA. Although he enjoyed the fame
his real happiness came from bettering the lives of downtrodden children. He
spoke of his achievements: "thanks to God and to Lucha Libre, my orphanage has
produced 3 doctors, 2 accountants 20 computer technicians, 7 lawyers
1 priest, and 16 teachers. However, in order to provide for the
children he did suffer heavily. According to Luchawiki he endured;
dislocated arms, a broken nose, 3 cracked ribs, and several mangled fingers.
The same publication alleges that a number of pop culture characters were based on
him. This includes; King from Tekken, Crasher
Wake from Pokemon, Tizoc from Fatal Fury, Leon from F-Zero and Greco from
Chrono Cross. He semi-retired in 2001 but still carried on wrestling
periodically inspecial events. He also had a number of TV appearances. But, what
makes him special was his selfless act to help those in need and the bizarre
way he achieved this. He will forever be a legend in Mexico and for good reason. The
wrestling priest Fray Tormenta.
you