Luchas de Apuestas (Hair / Mask)

The Luchas de Apuestas are matches in which participants wager something specific and personal on the outcome of the match. The two stakes in this match are either the hair or the wrestler's mask (for masked wrestlers); the wrestler who loses in these matches must either shave their head or remove their mask (depending on what they put on the line), as a sign of humiliation.

It can also happen that the ones who must shave their heads are not the wrestlers directly involved in the match, but third parties they represent (for example, in the match between Umaga and Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania 23, where Vince McMahon and Donald Trump put their hair on the line).

The two objects can be combined in various ways, depending on what the wrestlers decide to wager: there can be Hair vs. Hair matches, Mask vs. Mask matches, or Hair vs. Mask matches. Additionally, one of the wrestlers may choose to wager their mask or hair in exchange for something different, such as a chance to win a title (resulting in a Title vs. Mask match or a Title vs. Hair match).

The Spanish name for these types of matches stems from the fact that such battles, especially regarding masks, have a long history and tradition in Mexican lucha libre. It was customary (especially in the past, but still somewhat today) for wrestlers to wear masks, concealing their true identities. Therefore, losing a mask was seen as the worst dishonor for a luchador, almost equivalent to losing their identity as a wrestler. Moreover, after being unmasked following a loss, it was customary in Mexico to present one's mask to the match winner, serving as further humiliation and acknowledgment of the rival's superiority.