Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.

Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.
Ring name(s) Rayman
Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.
Rayo de Jalisco
Billed height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Billed weight 115 kg (250 lb)[1]
Born January 1, 1960 (1960-01-01) (age 52)[2]
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico[2]
Billed from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico[1]
Trained by Rayo de Jalisco, Sr.[2]
Diablo Velazco[2]
Debut 01975-11-28 November 28, 1975
Tlaquepaque, Jalisco[2]

Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. (Spanish for "Lightning from Jalisco, Jr.; born January 1, 1960) is the ring name of a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado (masked professional wrestler) whose real name has not been revealed, per Lucha Libre traditions. Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. is the son of Rayo de Jalisco a famous wrestler from the early days of Lucha Libre, he also has a son who wrestles under the name Rayman. Rayo, Jr. is a former two time CMLL World Heavyweight Champion and the current WWA World Heavyweight Champion, a title he has held since March 21, 2003. Rayo de Jalisco Jr,'s real name is not a matter of public record, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the wrestling fans.[3]

Contents

Biography

The man that would grow up to wrestle as Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. was born on January 1, 1960 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, son of legendary wrestler Rayo de Jalisco, Sr. and the nephew of wrestlers Tony Sugar and Black Sugar. Being born into a wrestling family it was inevitable that Rayo, Jr. would become a wrestler himself. He was not initially trained by his father as his father did not want his son to follow into his profession, instead he trained under Diablo Velazco.[2]

Professional wrestling career

The future Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. turned professional at the age of 15 and initially wrestled under the name "Rayman" to keep his father from finding out he was wrestling. After working as a wrestler for a year he finally revealed to his father that he was wrestling and that he was serious. After seeing his son wrestle, Rayo, Sr. decided to allow his son to work as "Rayo de Jalisco, Jr." and wear the lightingbolt mask that was synonymous with the Rayo de Jalisco character.[4] Rayo, Jr. worked most of the 1970s alongside his father, receiving further training along the way. By the early 1980s Rayo, Jr. was working for Empressa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL), Mexico's largest professional wrestling promotion. By 1982 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. began a wrestling storyline, called a feud, with MS-1 that ended when Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated MS-1 in a Luchas de apuestas, mask vs. mask match to unmask the hated villain (called a Rudo in Lucha Libre).[5] Through the early eighties Rayo, Jr. teamed up with equally popular Cien Caras to form a very successful team, working main events all over Mexico. On January 8, 1984 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. captured his first singles championship as he defeated Pirata Morgan to win the Mexican National Heavyweight Championship.[6] Rayo's first success also led to his greatest rivalry as Cien Caras turned on Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. in his quest to win the Mexican National Heavyweight Title. Cien Caras defeated his former teammate for the title on March 30, 1984 but that would not be the end of their rivalry.[6] On June 21, 1985 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated MS-1 to capture the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event of an Arena Mexico show in Mexico City, Mexico, EMLL's hometown.[7] In November 1985 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. teamed up with Ringo Mendoza and the Kiss to win the Mexican National Trios Championship from Los Brazos (El Brazo, Brazo de Oro and Brazo de Plata). The trio would hold the title for 275 days before losing it to Pirata Morgan, Jerry Estrada and Hombre Bala.[8] On March 20, 1987 Rayo de Jalisco's 637 day reign as NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion ended as he lost to MS-1.[7] By 1990 the storyline between Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. and Cien Caras became so heated that they were the main event of CMLL's 57th Anniversary show in a Luchas de Apuestas, mask vs. mask match. Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. defeated Cien Caras two falls to one and forced Cien Caras to unmask.[9][10]

Over the next couple of years Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. would hold the Mexican National Heavyweight Title twice more, defeating Gran Markus, Jr. and El Egipico to win the title. Rayo's third and final reign ended on February 21, 1994 when he lost to Pierroth, Jr..[6] On November 3, 1995 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. teamed up with Atlantis to win the CMLL World Tag Team Championship from The Headhunters.[11] The duo would successfully defend against Máscara Año 2000 and Universo 2000, younger brother of eternal rival Cien Caras, an dalso against Apolo Dantés and El Canek. On August 6, 1996 Gran Markus, Jr. and El Hijo del Gladiador won the titles from Rayo & Atlantis.[11] On April 14, 1996 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. reaches the top of CMLL as he wins the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship from Apolo Dantés.[12] Rayo would make three successful defenses against the former champion Apolo Dantés, as well as warting off the challenges of Gran Markus, Jr. and Máscara Año 2000.[13] On April 18, 1997 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. loses the title to Steel after a slow building storyline between the two.[12] In 1997 Steel leaves CMLL to work for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as "Val Venis", ending the storyline with Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. without a satisfactory conclusion. CMLL convinced the WWF to let Steel return to CMLL for a brief visit, just long enough to lose a Luchas de Apuestas to Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. giving Rayo another mask win.[14] A few months after unmasking Steel Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. became a two time CMLL World Heavyweight Champion, defeating Universo 2000 for the belt.[12] Rayo defended against Cien Caras and Mascara Año 200 before losing the title back to Universo 2000.[12][13] The match with Universo 2000 cost him more than just the championship as a mistimed Tombstone piledriver ended up injuring Rayo de Jalisco, Jr's neck forcing him out of the ring for over six months and almost caused Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. to retire.[2]

In 2001 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. dropped the "Junior" part of his name as his son, who had wrestled for two years, took the "Rayo de Jalisco" name, sometimes billed as el Hijo de Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. (the son of Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.) and other times simply Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.. The confusing name changes only lasted for a couple of months before Rayo Jr's son changed his name to Hombre sin Nombre (the man without name) as part of a storyline where the son was trying to get out from Rayo de Jalisco, Jr's shadow. His son would later begin working as "Rayman", the same name that Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. originally used.[4] Since 2003 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. has not worked for CMLL on a regular basis, instead he works for a number of Independent circuit Mexican promotions. On March 21, 2003 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. won the WWA World Heavyweight Championship, defeating Rey Misterio, Sr. in the finals of a tournamnet to crown a new champipn. Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. still holds that title to this day, &100000000000032800000003,280 later.[15] In 2004 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. made a brief return to CMLL teaming up with Black Warrior and El Canek to win the CMLL World Trios Championship from Dr. Wagner, Jr., Universo 2000 and Black Tiger III. The team quickly lost the titles to Héctor Garza, Tarzan Boy and El Terrible.[16] In 2005 Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. suffered another serious injury, he injured both his knees in a match against Máscara Año 2000 where his legs got caught on the ropes as he jumped out of the ring and he tore ligaments in both knees. The injury kept him out of the ring for almost half a year but in the end Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. was able to make a full recovery and return to the ring.[2]

Return to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre

Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. made his return to CMLL in May, 2010, siding with the CMLL loyalists in their feud with Los Invasores, especially Invasore members Universo 2000 and Máscara Año 2000, reiginting the long running storyline between them.[17] During one of his first interviews back with CMLL he commented that it was strange to see his former friend and tag team partner Atlantis as a rudo The seemingly unrelated comment slowly build into a storyline between the two former partners, initially facing off on opposite sides of trios matches. During the build of the match Atlantis has expressed an interest in challenging Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. for his WWA World Heavyweight Championship, but also stated that it was too early to talk about a Lucha de Apuesta, mask vs. mask match, between the two as they had not even faced off in a one on one match yet.

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

  • FILL Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

Luchas de apuestas record

See also: Luchas de apuestas
Wager Winner Loser Location Date Notes
Hair Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Martín Escobedo Unknown Unknown [21]
Hair Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Herodes Unknown Unknown [21]
Mask/Hair Rayo de Jalisco Jr. and El Jalisco MS-1 and Carlos Plata Mexico City, Mexico 01982-07-02 July 2, 1982 [5][21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Gorila Asesino Puebla, Puebla 01983-04-10 April 10, 1983 [21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. El Egipcio Mexico City, Mexico 01983-12-09 December 9, 1983 [Note 1][21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Super Halcón Mexico City, Mexico 01989-04-23 April 23, 1989 [21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Cien Caras Mexico City, Mexico 01990-09-21 September 21, 1990 At the EMLL 57th Anniversary Show[9][10][21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Steel Mexico City, Mexico 01998-06-08 June 8, 1998 [21]
Hair Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Cien Caras Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco 01999-11-29 November 29, 1999 [21]
Hair Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Gran Markus, Jr. Guadalajara, Jalisco 02000-01-30 January 30, 2000 [21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Dr. Muerte Mexico City, Mexico 02001-06-09 June 9, 2001 [21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Comando Asesino Guadalajara, Jalisco 02002-07 July 2002 [Note 2][21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Yankee Star Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas 02003-06-20 June 20, 2003 [21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Sr. Muerte Guadalajara, Jalisco 02003-12-07 December 7, 2003 [21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Sombra de Jalisco Monterrey, Nuevo León 02012-02-17December 0 [Note 3][21]
Mask Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Enterrador 2000 Mexico City, Mexico 02007-11-02 November 2, 2007 [Note 4]

Footnotes

  1. ^ Relevos suicida match: Hombre Bala and Masakre defeated the team to force them to fight each other for their masks.
  2. ^ Relevos suicida match: El Charro and Sancara defeated the team to force them to fight for their mask.
  3. ^ Match also included Villaño III and Jerry Estrada
  4. ^ Last two competitors in a multi-man cage match.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Statistics for Professional wrestlers". PWI Presents: 2008 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts (Kappa Publications): pp. 37–53. 2008 Edition. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Enciclopedia staff (November, 2008). "Grandes Figuras de la Lucha Libre" (in Spanish). Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. (Portales, Mexico): p. 48. 17. 
  3. ^ Madigan, Dan (2007). "Okay... what is Lucha Libre?". Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre and honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperColins Publisher. pp. 29–40. ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3. 
  4. ^ a b Madigan, Dan (2007). "A family affair". Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizare & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperColins Publisher. pp. 128–132. ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3. 
  5. ^ a b Enciclopedia staff (OCtober, 2007). "Enciclopedia de las Mascaras" (in Spanish). MS-1 (Mexico City, Mexico): p. 42. Tomo III. 
  6. ^ a b c d Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "Mexico: National Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 390–391. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. 
  7. ^ a b c Royal Duncan & Gary Will (4th Edition 2006). "Mexico EMLL NWA World Light Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 389. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. 
  8. ^ a b Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "Mexico: National Trios Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 393. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. 
  9. ^ a b Ruiz Glez, Alex (September 17, 2009). "Recordando los aniversarios del CMLL: El Rayo de Jalisco gana la Máscara de Cien Caras" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. http://superluchas.net/2009/09/17/recordando-los-aniversarios-del-cmll-el-rayo-de-jalisco-gana-la-mascara-de-cien-caras/#more-38299. Retrieved September 18, 2009. 
  10. ^ a b Enciclopedia staff (July, 2007). "Enciclopedia de las Mascaras" (in Spanish). Cien Caras (Mexico City, Mexico): p. 54. Tomo I. 
  11. ^ a b c Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "Mexico: EMLL CMLL Tag Team Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 396. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. 
  12. ^ a b c d e Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "Mexico: EMLL CMLL Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 395. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. 
  13. ^ a b Josh Boutwell (March 13, 2009). "Viva La Raza! # Diecisiete: Lucha Weekly". WrestleView.com. http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1236925821.php. Retrieved July 19, 2009. 
  14. ^ Enciclopedia staff (October, 2007). "Enciclopedia de las Mascaras" (in Spanish). Steel (Mexico City, Mexico): pp. 56. Tomo IV. 
  15. ^ a b "World Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Title (Mexico)". wrestling-titles.com. March 29, 2009. http://www.wrestling-titles.com/mexico/wwa/mx-wwa-h.html. Retrieved July 19, 2009. 
  16. ^ a b SuperLuchas staff (January 24, 2005). "Número Especial - Lo mejr de la lucha ilbre mexicana durante el 2004" (in Spanish). Super Luchas. 91. 
  17. ^ Rostro Oculto (May 16, 2010). "Resultados Arena México (16 mayo 2010): ¡Mr. Águila es parte de los invasores! ¡Rayo de Jalisco Jr. regresó al CMLL!" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. http://superluchas.net/2010/05/16/resultados-arena-mexico-16-mayo-2010-%c2%a1mr-aguila-es-parte-de-los-invasores-%c2%a1rayo-de-jalisco-jr-regreso-al-cmll/. Retrieved May 17, 2010. 
  18. ^ Royal Duncan and Gary Will (2000). "Mexico: National Tag Team Titles". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 396–397. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4. 
  19. ^ "Gran Prix Tournament 1994". ProWrestlingHistory.com. April 15, 1994. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/g-prix.html#1994. Retrieved August 30, 2009. 
  20. ^ "Gran Prix Tournament 1998". ProWrestlingHistory.com. August 14, 1998. http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/mexico/emll/g-prix.html#1998. Retrieved August 30, 2009. 
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Enciclopedia staff (October, 2007). "Enciclopedia de las Mascaras" (in Spanish). Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. (Mexico City, Mexico): pp. 8–9. Tomo IV. 

External links
Canek and Dr. Wagner, Jr.  · Los Cowboys (El Texano and Silver King)  · The Headhunters (Headhunter A and Headhunter B)  · Atlantis and Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.  · La Nueva Ola Blanca (El Hijo del Gladiador and Gran Markus, Jr.)  · Atlantis and Lizmark  · Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Silver King  · Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Emilio Charles, Jr.  · Mr. Niebla and Shocker  · Bestia Salvaje and Scorpio, Jr.  · El Hijo del Santo and Negro Casas  · Los Guerreros del Infierno (Rey Bucanero and Último Guerrero)  · L.A. Park and Shocker  · Atlantis and Blue Panther  · Averno and Mephisto  · Místico and Negro Casas  · Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Último Guerrero  · Los Guerreros de la Atlantida (Atlantis and Último Guerrero)  · Héctor Garza and Místico  · La Sombra and Volador Jr.  · Los Invasores (Héctor Garza and Mr. Águila)  · Los Guerreros de la Atlantida (Dragón Rojo, Jr. and Último Guerrero) (current)
Los Infernales (MS-1, Pirata Morgan and El Satánico)  · Los Intocables (Jaque Mate, Masakre and Pierroth, Jr.)  · Los Brazos (El Brazo, Brazo de Oro and Brazo de Plata)  · La Nuevo Ola Blanca (Dr. Wagner, Jr., Gran Markus, Jr., El Hijo del Gladiador)  · Los Chacales (Bestia Salvaje, Emilio Charles, Jr. and Sangre Chicana)  · Dos Caras, La Fiera and Héctor Garza  · Emilio Charles, Jr., Rey Bucanero and El Satánico  · La Ola Azul (Atlantis, Lizmark and Mr. Niebla)  · Black Warrior, Blue Panther and Dr. Wagner, Jr.  · Blue Panther, Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Fuerza Guerrera  · Atlantis, Black Warrior and Mr. Niebla  · Black Tiger III, Dr. Wagner, Jr. and Universo 2000  · Black Warrior, El Canek and Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.  · La Furia del Norte (Héctor Garza, Tarzan Boy and El Terrible)  · Los Guerreros de la Atlantida (Atlantis, Tarzan Boy and Último Guerrero)  · Los Perros del Mal (Héctor Garza, Mr. Águila and Perro Aguayo, Jr.)  · Los Ángeles Rebeldes (Héctor Garza, El Hijo del Fantasma and La Máscara)  · Los Guerreros Negros (Atlantis, Negro Casas and Último Guerrero)  · La Ola Amarilla (Hiroshi Tanahashi, Okumura and Taichi)  · La Generación Dorada (La Máscara, Máscara Dorada and La Sombra)  · Los Hijos del Averno (Averno, Ephesto and Mephisto) (current)