Ray Fernandez
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| Ray Fernandez | |
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| Statistics | |
| Ring name(s) | Hercules Hercules Hernandez Super Invader Masked Assassin #2 Mr. Wrestling II |
| Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Billed weight | 275 lb (125 kg) |
| Born | ??? Tampa, Florida |
| Died | March 6, 2004 |
| Trained by | Eddie Sharkey |
| Debut | 1984 |
| Retired | 1999 |
Ray "Hercules" Fernandez (died –March 6, 2004) was a professional wrestler who primarily wrestled in Florida and Texas. Fernandez was a featured bodybuilder, appearing in several muscle magazines. He was known for his Saturday Night Main Event match against Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight Title.
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[edit] Career
Fernandez started wrestling in 1979 in the NWA territories as Hercules Hernandez. He feuded with Billy Jack Haynes within almost every promotion he worked. He also had feuds with Jim Duggan and Iceman Parsons.
During the early 1980s, Hernandez wrestled under a mask as a member of the tag team with the highly touted Mr. Wrestling. He was known as Mister Wrestling III until being unmasked. His career really took off under this persona in Mid-South Wrestling, as he feuded with the likes of Junkyard Dog, Ted Dibiase, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, and Terry Taylor.
He went to the WWF in 1985. In the fall of 1986, Hernandez would rekindle his feud with Billy Jack Haynes over the use of the full nelson. On an episode of Superstars, Bobby Heenan called out Haynes and defied him to break the full nelson of Hercules. During the confrontation, Hayes smashed Heenan which led to an altercation with Hayes and Hernandez. The feud culminated at the Pontiac Silverdome at WrestleMania III in a double count out after Haynes applied his full nelson on the floor. After the match, Hercules busted Haynes wide open with a right punch with his chain.
In the early part of 1988 during an episode of Superstars Hercules was swinging his chain in the direction of The Ultimate Warrior. Warrior caught the chain, and the two began a tug of war with the chain. This led to the steel chain snapping at the middle. This led to their match at WrestleMania IV which ended with Warrior pinning Hercules after kicking off the corner pads and landing on top of Hercules all while trapped in the full nelson.
In 1988 Hercules' contract was sold to Ted Dibiase. Hercules stated he was owned by no man and turned face. He feuded with DiBiase which culminated at Survivor Series 1988.
In 1990, he turned heel and teamed up with Paul Roma (who had also turned heel against former Young Stallions partner Jim Powers) as "Power and Glory", managed by Slick.
Fernandez went to WCW in 1992 as the masked Super Invader managed by Harley Race, but he never rose above mid-card level.
In 1996, he wrestled in the American Wrestling Federation promotion. His appearance in the AWF made clear that he was no longer taking steroids, as he had lost most of his muscular definition.
He finished his career in 1999 after working the independent circuit and for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Fernandez died in his sleep in his home in March of 2004.
[edit] In Wrestling
[edit] Finishing and signature moves
- Hercules Crusher (Torture Rack)
- Backbreaker
- Full nelson
- Power-Plex (Superplex/Top-Rope Splash Combo) - with Paul Roma
- Shinomonake--Half Nelson/Choke Hold Combo
[edit] Managers
[edit] Championships and accomplishments
- 1-Time IWGP World Tag Team Champion (with Scott Norton)
- 1-Time NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight Champion
- 2-Time NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time NWA Central States Television Champion
- 1-Time NWA Central States Tag Team Champion (with Dewey Robertson)
- 1-Time NWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion (with Ted DiBiase)
- 1-Time IWF Can-Am Champion
- 1-Time EWA Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time IAW Heavyweight Champion
- 1-Time IAW Tag Team Champion (with Paul Roma)
- 1-Time NWA-Florida Heavyweight Champion
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him #220 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
