Diablo Velasco
Encyclopedia
Cuahutémoc Velasco Vargas (1919 - June 13, 1999) was a professional wrestler
and trainer of other wrestlers under the name Diablo Velasco. Velasco trained many famous Mexican wrestlers, including Gory Guerrero
, Perro Aguayo
, Essa Rios, and Mil Máscaras
. In 2001, Velasco was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
in recognition of his career and extensive influence on lucha libre
.
Over the years he trained a long row of future top stars in Lucha Libre instilling his work ethic and drive into them. After some time as the head trainer at Arena Coliseo his students would gain a reputation as having good prospects in the ring, if Velasco let them graduate they had to have a certain level of skill. Velasco was in the sport not for the money, but because he genuinely loved the sport, a sentiment he managed to pass along to most of his students. Even after an old hip injury forced Velasco to stop getting in the ring with his students he still oversaw and mentored everyone in his gym.
Velasco continued to run his wrestling school until he retired in 1997 at the age of 78, and died in 1999.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
and trainer of other wrestlers under the name Diablo Velasco. Velasco trained many famous Mexican wrestlers, including Gory Guerrero
Gory Guerrero
Salvador Guerrero Quesada , better known as Gory Guerrero, was one of the premier Hispanic professional wrestlers in the early days of Lucha Libre when most wrestlers were imported from outside of Mexico. He wrestled primarily in Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre between the 1940s and 1960s...
, Perro Aguayo
Perro Aguayo
Pedro Aguayo better known as "Perro Aguayo" and El Can de Nochistlan , was a famous Mexican wrestler through 1970s to 1990s. His son also wrestles as Perro Aguayo, Jr. or El Hijo del Perro Aguayo . He is one of the biggest box office attractions in lucha libre history and was the last major rival...
, Essa Rios, and Mil Máscaras
Mil Máscaras
Aaron Rodríguez , best known as Mil Máscaras , is a semi-retired Mexican professional wrestler and actor, who has starred in several films with fellow luchadores...
. In 2001, Velasco was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
in recognition of his career and extensive influence on lucha libre
Lucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
.
Professional wrestling career
Velasco started his wrestling career in 1937 after having trained for two years under the tutelage of Raúl Romero, using the name "Telmo Velazco". Since Velasco did not have the physical size to become a top line wrestler he was never a main eventer but due to his skills and tenacity he was a respected mid-card wrestler who could be relied on to put on a good match. In 1942 Velasco decided that his skills would be put to better use training wrestlers than performing in the ring. In 1959 he was made the head trainer of the Arena Coliseo de Guadalajara, one of the biggest wrestling schools in Mexico.Over the years he trained a long row of future top stars in Lucha Libre instilling his work ethic and drive into them. After some time as the head trainer at Arena Coliseo his students would gain a reputation as having good prospects in the ring, if Velasco let them graduate they had to have a certain level of skill. Velasco was in the sport not for the money, but because he genuinely loved the sport, a sentiment he managed to pass along to most of his students. Even after an old hip injury forced Velasco to stop getting in the ring with his students he still oversaw and mentored everyone in his gym.
Velasco continued to run his wrestling school until he retired in 1997 at the age of 78, and died in 1999.
Notable students
- Gory GuerreroGory GuerreroSalvador Guerrero Quesada , better known as Gory Guerrero, was one of the premier Hispanic professional wrestlers in the early days of Lucha Libre when most wrestlers were imported from outside of Mexico. He wrestled primarily in Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre between the 1940s and 1960s...
- Perro AguayoPerro AguayoPedro Aguayo better known as "Perro Aguayo" and El Can de Nochistlan , was a famous Mexican wrestler through 1970s to 1990s. His son also wrestles as Perro Aguayo, Jr. or El Hijo del Perro Aguayo . He is one of the biggest box office attractions in lucha libre history and was the last major rival...
- Cavernario GalindoCavernario GalindoRodolfo Galindo Ramirez was a Mexican luchador and film actor, best known by his ring name Cavernario Galindo , who was active in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre from the 1930s to the 1990s...
- Bobby Bonales
- AtlantisAtlantis (wrestler)Atlantis is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre where he performs as a Technico . Atlantis has held a large number of professional wrestling championships over the years, both in Mexico and in Japan...
- Cien CarasCien CarasCarmelo Reyes González is a Mexican professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Cien Caras...
- Ángel BlancoÁngel BlancoJosé Ángel Vargas Sánchez was a Mexican Luchador or professional wrestler best known under the ring name Angel Blanco. Vargas is the father-in-law of the first Ángel Blanco, Jr. and the father of the current Ángel Blanco, Jr. and Hijo del Ángel Blanco I and II and the grandfather of Horus...
- Ángel Blanco, Jr.
- Tarzán López
- El SolitarioEl SolitarioRoberto González Cruz was a Mexican professional wrestler who wrestled under the name El Solitario. During his career he held both the NWA World Light Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Middleweight Championship...
- Rito RomeroRito RomeroRito Romero Loza was a successful luchador who wrestled in Mexico and in the NWA territories of Texas and Los Angeles. He appeared in several films in his native country along with a number of other luchadors...
- Rolando Vera
- Hiro Matsuda
- Mano NegroMano Negra (wrestler)Jesús Reza Rosales is a Mexican Luchador, or professional wrestler, best known under the ring name Mano Negra. Mano Negra is Spanish for "The Black Hand" and is taken from the Spanish anarchist organisation La Mano Negra...
- Rayo de Jalisco
- Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. is the ring name of a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado whose real name has not been revealed, per Lucha Libre traditions. Rayo de Jalisco, Jr...
- Solar I
- Solar II
- Mil MáscarasMil MáscarasAaron Rodríguez , best known as Mil Máscaras , is a semi-retired Mexican professional wrestler and actor, who has starred in several films with fellow luchadores...
- Abismo NegroAbismo NegroAndrés Alejandro Palomeque González was a Mexican Luchador . He is best known for appearing under the stage name Abismo Negro, which is Spanish for "Black Abyss" or "black hole", in the Asistencia Asesoría y Administración promotion...
- El DandyEl DandyRoberto Gutiérrez Frías is a Mexican professional wrestler who has had most of his success in Lucha libre as El Dandy throughout the 1990s.-Professional wrestling career:...
- Alfonso DantésAlfonso DantésJosé Luis Amezcua Díaz was a Mexican professional wrestler who wrestled during the 1960s and 1970s under the ring name Alfonso Dantés . He would later receive the nickname El Tanque for his short but thick build...
- Mr. ÁguilaMr. ÁguilaJosé Seldano is a Mexican professional wrestler or luchador currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre...
- Satánico
- ShockerJosé Luis Jair SoriaJosé Luis Jair Soria is a Mexican professional wrestler, who wrestles under the name Shocker. He has in the past branched out into the United States, working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre :...
- Oro
- El SupremoEl Supremo (wrestler)Salvador Cuevas Ramírez was a Mexican Luchador, or professional wrestler, known under the ring name El Supremo. Cuevas was originally an enmascarado but lost his mask in 1992 to Pierroth, Jr.....
Championships and accomplishments
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameWrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameThe Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
(Class of 2001)