Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) began in Mexico City in 1933 when promoter Salvador Lutteroth staged regular cards at Arena Modelo. He built a system that mixed fast action with masks, pageantry, and weight-class titles.

Crowds grew fast, which led to Arena Coliseo in 1943 and Arena México in 1956. Arena México, often called the Cathedral of Lucha Libre, became the home base for CMLL shows and the site of its biggest events.

The company launched an annual Anniversary Show in 1934. That tradition has continued for decades and stands as the longest-running yearly event in wrestling.

EMLL, as the group was then known, joined the National Wrestling Alliance in 1952 and promoted NWA-branded championships in Mexico. Those belts helped define clear divisions and title pictures. Main events often featured mask-or-hair wagers, known as Luchas de Apuestas.

Leadership stayed in the Lutteroth family. Salvador Lutteroth Jr. guided operations after his father. In 1987, Paco Alonso, Lutteroth’s grandson, took charge and steered the company through a modern TV era while keeping the Arena México schedule steady.

By the late 1980s, after other long-running groups changed hands or closed, EMLL had become the world’s oldest active promotion. In late 1991, the company left the NWA and rebranded as Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (World Wrestling Council). From that point forward, the CMLL name appeared on posters, TV, and title histories.

CMLL kept its focus on weekly cards, local stars, and consistent booking. The Friday Super Viernes shows at Arena México anchor the calendar, while the Anniversary event in September remains the peak event of the year. The company also added international exchanges.

In 2011, CMLL and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) launched Fantastica Mania in Japan, a January series that later expanded with Mexico dates. In recent years, CMLL has added English commentary on select broadcasts and welcomed visiting wrestlers from major groups, while continuing to present traditional lucha libre with masks, trios matches, and Apuestas headliners at its core.

Today, CMLL is the longest-running promotion still in operation. Its home arenas, weekly rhythm, and the Anniversary tradition anchor pro wrestling in Mexico. Smart partnerships and small updates help new fans find the shows, while longtime fans still feel at home with a tradition that can be traced back to EMLL in 1933 and to CMLL today.