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A collection of luchador masks are put up for sale by Esmerelda Hernandez, the wife of "Rockero del Diablo," one of the fighters at Lucha Libre Taco-con. Caroline Champlin/KQED
A collection of luchador masks are put up for sale by Esmerelda Hernandez, the wife of "Rockero del Diablo," one of the fighters at Lucha Libre Taco-con. (Caroline Champlin/KQED)

PHOTOS: Luchadores and Lunch: Wrestlers Duke it Out at S.F. Taco-Con

PHOTOS: Luchadores and Lunch: Wrestlers Duke it Out at S.F. Taco-Con

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Sunday was the fourth annual Lucha Libre Taco-con in San Francisco. Foodies and wrestling lovers came together to watch men in bear costumes, Amish garb and luchador masks take each other down in the ring.

Lucha libre is the term used to describe Mexican professional wrestling, which features fighters -- or luchadores -- competing in colorful costumes and masks.

No punches actually landed on Sunday, and most fights were of the verbal kind, but that didn't stop the audience from getting invested. At one point the sold-out crowd launched into a chant of, "This is real! This is real!"

Ten different fighters, including luchadores from Mexico and El Salvador, faced off while onlookers enjoyed Mexican, Peruvian, Salvadoran and Filipino tacos at the outdoor StrEat Food Park in San Francisco's SoMa District.

"We are an escape and times like these we need an escape," says event host Caesar Black. "This is cheaper than therapy. We are literally their therapist."

"Rockero Del Diablo" of Mexico (R) takes on "Kaka Meng" representing El Salvador (L) at the 2018 Lucha Libre Taco-con in San Francisco.
"Rockero del Diablo" of Mexico (R) takes on "Kaka Meng" representing El Salvador (L) at the 2018 Lucha Libre Taco-con in San Francisco. (Caroline Champlin/KQED)
Luchador “Rockero Del Diablo” carries his championship belts from previous fights. His wife says he's been fighting since he was 18.
Luchador “Rockero del Diablo” carries his championship belts from previous fights. His wife says he's been fighting since he was 18. (Caroline Champlin/KQED)
Traveling team "TMD" (Joey Gaytan) and "Moonshine Rex Calhoun" (Jeremy Martin) suiting up before their fight. The duo travels together, fights together and used to live together.
Traveling team "TMD" (Joey Gaytan) and "Moonshine Rex Calhoun" (Jeremy Martin) suiting up before their fight. The duo travels together, fights together and used to live together. (Caroline Champlin/KQED)
Rex Calhoun (Jeremy Martin) gets stuck in the corner without his partner TMD (Joey Gaytan). The duo turned the fight around and ended up winning.
Rex Calhoun (Jeremy Martin) gets stuck in the corner without his partner TMD (Joey Gaytan). The duo turned the fight around and ended up winning. (Caroline Champlin/KQED)
Maria Martinez of Concord brought her two daughters to their first luchador match.
Maria Martinez of Concord brought her two daughters to their first luchador match. (Caroline Champlin/KQED)
Isa Chu crossed the bay from Oakland to catch the San Francisco Lucha Libre Taco-con.
Isa Chu crossed the bay from Oakland to catch the San Francisco Lucha Libre Taco-con. (Caroline Champlin/KQED)
Grizzly Cal Jack right before facing off in a pre-match taco contest. He entered the arena with fans chanting "Feed the bear!"
Grizzly Cal Jack right before facing off in a pre-match taco contest. He entered the arena with fans chanting "Feed the bear!" (Caroline Champlin/KQED)
An exasperated fan watches a fight at Taco-con.
An exasperated fan watches a fight at Taco-con. (Caroline Champlin/KQED)

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