An event featuring some of the most popular luchadores will try to revive the lucha libre scene in San Diego.

   Viva La Lucha!, taking place on Friday, July 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Border View YMCA, 3601 Arey Dr., San Diego, will include classic luchadores such as LA PARK (Original La Parka), Konnan, Hijo de Rey Misterio (the newest Misterio), and Solar.

   It will also feature ex-WWE Superstar Sinn Bhodi, NWA Champion Adam Pearce, Black Tiger, Puma, Kaos, the minis Misteriocito and Mini Dragon, and the ladies, Nikki and Buggy.

   Tickets will be $10 for kids, $20 for adults. There’s also a $5 VIP ticket (as add on to either a kids or adult ticket) that will get you in to the venue before anyone else for a private Meet and Greet with the luchadores, and it allows you to reserve your ring side seat as well.

   This is the first professional lucha libre match in San Diego since the AAA, one of Mexico’s most popular lucha libre networks, came to the former Sports Arena in 2009, according to Viva la Lucha promoter, Ruben Zamora.

   “Nobody is doing this type of shows, no one is doing big shows in San Diego because they’re afraid of losing money or they don’t know how to do this type of shows,” Zamora said.

   Although there are a couple of promoters who organize local matches in North County, none of them bring popular, professional luchadores from Mexico, Zamora said.

   In fact, the Mexican luchadores who will fighting at the YMCA will also be at Comic-Con International from July 21 through the 24. Masked Republic, the parent company of Viva la Lucha, will be featuring panels, presenting its new line of clothing and masks, and luchadores will taking pictures and signing autographs with their fans. Lucha libre has become a sensation among non-Latinos in recent years, Zamora said.

   “We don’t need to sell lucha libre, if you present a good show, people will come,” Zamora said about the YMCA event.

   He added that the film “Nacho Libre” and Cartoon Network’s “Mucha Lucha,” have helped popularized Mexican lucha libre among Americans.

   He expects that the YMCA event will be a sold-out, with capacity for 800 people.

   Konnan, the popular San Diego-based luchador that will be in the line-up, said that this is a great opportunity for San Diegans to enjoy a high-quality, professional show.

   He added that the bad economy and the violence have almost killed the traditional weekly matches in Tijuana’s auditorium.

   Zamora said that although the lucha libre scene in San Diego, and to some degree in Tijuana, “is dead,” he hopes this event will bring new life to lucha libre here.

   “I know that people in San Diego are eager to have this type of shows here,” he said.

   Zamora said that if the July 22 event sells out, he is planning to bring lucha libre events to San Diego every month.

   For more information, visit www.vivalalucha.com or www.maskedrepublic.com.