Francisco Flores (wrestling promoter)
Encyclopedia
Francisco Flores is a former Mexican
professional wrestling
promoter who is most known for his part in creating and running the Universal Wrestling Association
from the mid-1970s until the 1990s when it closed down. At one point in time the UWA's shows as the Toreo de Quatro Caminos arena were the biggest drawing shows in all of Mexico, putting the UWA in contention for being the biggest wrestling promotion in Mexico at the time. As a promoter Flores helped make such wrestlers as El Canek
and El Hijo del Santo
world renowned wrestlers.
(EMLL), Mexico's largest and the world's oldest wrestling promotion
. After working for EMLL for years he became frustrated with EMLL's very conservative approach to wrestling and wanted to promote his vision for wrestling instead of EMLL's vision. In 1975 Flores, along with Ray Mendoza
broke away from EMLL and formed the rival Universal Wrestling Association
(UWA). In the UWA Flores focused on featuring young wrestlers who were often not given a chance in EMLL, this included Ray Mendoza's sons Villaño I
, Villaño II
and Villaño III
. Villaño III especially benefitted from Flores' way of promoting as he became one of the rising young stars in the mid to late 1970s. Flores and the UWA's promotion of El Canek
made him a world wide wrestling star, boking him as the "Mexican defender" against a variety of foreign wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan
and Andre the Giant
. The UWA also helped give a young El Hijo del Santo
his start in wrestling.
the UWA flourished in the 1970s and 1980s but hit harder times in the 1990s and was forced to close down in 1995 after which Francisco Flores went into retirement.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
professional wrestling
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...
promoter who is most known for his part in creating and running the Universal Wrestling Association
Universal Wrestling Association
The Universal Wrestling Association was a Mexican Lucha Libre or professional wrestling promotion based in Naucalpan, Mexico State that operated from 1975 until 1995...
from the mid-1970s until the 1990s when it closed down. At one point in time the UWA's shows as the Toreo de Quatro Caminos arena were the biggest drawing shows in all of Mexico, putting the UWA in contention for being the biggest wrestling promotion in Mexico at the time. As a promoter Flores helped make such wrestlers as El Canek
El Canek
Felipe Estrada , known as Canek and El Canek, is a masked Mexican professional wrestler and former Mixed Martial Arts fighter currently performing part time for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. In 1972, he debuted as "El Universitario" at the age of 18. In 1973, he would change his name to Canek, a...
and El Hijo del Santo
El Hijo del Santo
Jorge Guzmán Rodríguez , better known as El Hijo del Santo , is a Mexican professional wrestler, political activist and one of the most successful stars in Lucha Libre...
world renowned wrestlers.
Promotional career
Flores started his career as a wrestling promoter as a minor promoter for Empresa Mexicana de Lucha LibreConsejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre is a Lucha Libre-style professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City while running cards in Guadalajara, Puebla and elsewhere in central and southern Mexico...
(EMLL), Mexico's largest and the world's oldest wrestling promotion
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
. After working for EMLL for years he became frustrated with EMLL's very conservative approach to wrestling and wanted to promote his vision for wrestling instead of EMLL's vision. In 1975 Flores, along with Ray Mendoza
Ray Mendoza
José Díaz Velazquez was a Mexican Luchador, or professional wrestler, better known under his ring name Ray Mendoza. Diaz had great success in the National Wrestling Alliance, where he was a five time World Light Heavyweight Champion, as well as the first Mexican to hold the championship...
broke away from EMLL and formed the rival Universal Wrestling Association
Universal Wrestling Association
The Universal Wrestling Association was a Mexican Lucha Libre or professional wrestling promotion based in Naucalpan, Mexico State that operated from 1975 until 1995...
(UWA). In the UWA Flores focused on featuring young wrestlers who were often not given a chance in EMLL, this included Ray Mendoza's sons Villaño I
Villaño I
Villano I was the ring name of José de Jesús Díaz Mendoza a Mexican Luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler. He was the oldest son of luchador Ray Mendoza, and the first of the five Díaz Mendoza brothers to become a professional wrestler, although not the oldest...
, Villaño II
Villaño II
José Alfredo Díaz Mendoza was a Mexican Luchador enmascarado known under the Ring name Villano II . Despite being numbered "II" he was the oldest of the Díaz Mendoza boys. His younger brothers wrestled or wrestle as Villano I , Villano III , Villano V and Villano IV...
and Villaño III
Villano III
Arturo Díaz Mendoza is a Mexican professional wrestler best known for performing under the stage name Villano III and unmasking a very large number of wrestlers , he is most famous for teaming with one or more of his brothers: Villano I, Villano II, Villano IV, Villano V, Villano VI and Villano VII...
. Villaño III especially benefitted from Flores' way of promoting as he became one of the rising young stars in the mid to late 1970s. Flores and the UWA's promotion of El Canek
El Canek
Felipe Estrada , known as Canek and El Canek, is a masked Mexican professional wrestler and former Mixed Martial Arts fighter currently performing part time for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. In 1972, he debuted as "El Universitario" at the age of 18. In 1973, he would change his name to Canek, a...
made him a world wide wrestling star, boking him as the "Mexican defender" against a variety of foreign wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan
Terrance Gene "Terry" Bollea , better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American Semi-retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, and musician currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ....
and Andre the Giant
André the Giant
André René Roussimoff , best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. His best remembered acting role was that of Fezzik, the giant in the film The Princess Bride...
. The UWA also helped give a young El Hijo del Santo
El Hijo del Santo
Jorge Guzmán Rodríguez , better known as El Hijo del Santo , is a Mexican professional wrestler, political activist and one of the most successful stars in Lucha Libre...
his start in wrestling.
the UWA flourished in the 1970s and 1980s but hit harder times in the 1990s and was forced to close down in 1995 after which Francisco Flores went into retirement.
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 2003)