Taunt

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There are many commonplace taunts in lucha libre (as popularized by CMLL). They do no harm to an opponent (physically), instead serving to embarrass them & entertain a crowd with shtick.


Taunts are often used after tagging in, after countering or otherwise flummoxing the opponent, after or before a big move, etc.. The vast majority of general examples are tecnico staples, and mostly emphasize crowd interaction:

  • Suckering the rudo into an impromptu popularity contest, wherein either opponent will raise their arms one after the other in a cycle and get "yays" or "boos" from the crowd. Can end with the rudo simply sucker-punching the tecnico.
  • Using both arms to wave repeatedly towards the entrance way (e.g. after a rudo has done something cowardly), to insinuate that they should just leave.
  • Outstretching their arms and wiggling their fingers in one direct to signal the crowd build up an "eeeeeeyyyyYYYYYYYY", capped off with them pivoting their body to fling their arms in the opposite direction for a "PUTOOOOOOO!". Increasingly controversial due to its nature as a slur, so can cause some culture-shock for non-Mexican fans (and wrestlers; such as Cody Rhodes after he obliviously participated in the chant at Triplemanía XXVII).
  • Offering the rudo a handshake, only to sidestep them when they approach. Often repeatedly. Accompanied by "OLE!"s from the crowd, ala cheering on a matador in a bull fight.
  • A sort of Simon Says sequence wherein the tecnico will come face-to-face with an opponent and hop in place, which most rudos will inexplicably mimic. Sometimes done in a corner, and followed by a chase to the opposite corner.
  • Ending an impromptu post-match promo challenge with a resounding "SÍ O NO?"


Common rudo examples include:

  • Miming ripping the head off of a downed opponent, and kicking it into the crowd (compete with pretending to focus in on how far it went). Can be varied up in a multi-rudo setting with mock-football games. Popularized (possibly outright invented) by Rush.
  • Two rudo who are usually teammates who have either miscommunicated or found themselves against one another in a multi-man match (like a cibernetico) implying they're going to fight, going in to punch one another, only to pull back and hug instead. With the intention of frustrating the crowd.


Dive fake-outs (or "feints") are very common. A luchador (traditionally technico) will seemingly going for a dive outside onto an opponent, only to abort it once they've flinched and do a signature pose or dance. Most commonly, kneeling & pointing to the sky (ala Sabu). Though multiple luchadors have their own specific routines:


Dodges / Taunts that double as dodges:


Taunts that double as counters:

  • Countering an Irish Whip shoot-off by leaping sideways in between the top & middle ropes and simply hanging there. Should the frustrated opponent run at them, they can easily drop forward to the mat and cause the opponent to fly out of the ring, in prime position for a dive. Frequent lucha users include TJP & Skadi.
  • Countering a headscissors takedown (or other such throw that takes the subject off their feet) by landing in a sustained handstand. Typically followed up with a headscissors of their own. Titan uses this to set up his Titanics, whilst Flip Gordon doubles-down on the showboating by hopping around & waving his legs mockingly.
  • Bárbaro Cavernario's rendition of The Worm breakdance move is specifically used as a counter to a counter, when a cornered opponent he's ran at kicks him back. He'll turn around and inevitably fall, but in a way where he maintains momentum and can swing right back up to his feet (followed by a lil caveman wardance)


Taunts that are technically offensive maneuvers in their own right, but really just used to embarrass an opponent:

  • La Montana
  • Two members of a team taking turns to flop onto the downed opponents in a series of standing presses, whilst a third readies a more high-impact move to top it off


Other wrestler-specific examples:

  • Fuego's jiggly dance after a matrix dodge
  • Fuego playing "Red Light, Green Light" with the opponent; signalling an intent to run to the opposite side of the ring with them behind him, only to suddenly stop and look over his shoulder just as the rudo is about to run after him (causing them to politely stop like someone from a Bugs Bunny cartoon)
  • Super Kendo's kip-up and jump
  • Star Black, when tagged in for the first time during as match, will typically slingshot from the apron and perform a string of headspring flips circling around the entire ring
  • Olympia will perform squats on an opponent she's caught in a Fireman's Carry to flex her strength, followed by a power move
  • Templario's spinarooni breakdance back to his feet after disposing of an opponent
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