Cassandro

Saúl Armendáriz[1] (born May 20, 1970)[2] is an American-born Mexican luchador, or professional wrestler, who works as an exótico for several independent promotions all over the world under the ring name Cassandro. He is a former NWA World Welterweight and UWA World Lightweight Champion. In 2009, Armendáriz signed a contract with American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), but was released before making his official debut.

Cassandro
Cassandro in 2019
Birth nameSaúl Armendáriz[1]
Born (1970-05-20) May 20, 1970[2]
El Paso, Texas, United States[1][3]
ResidenceEl Paso, Texas, United States[1][4]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Andromeda[5]
Cassandro
Cassandro el Exotico[6]
Mister Romano[1]
Rosa Salvaje[1]
Satanico del Exotico[7]
Billed height1.66 m (5 ft 5 1⁄2 in)[2]
Billed weight77 kg (170 lb)[2]
Billed fromJuárez, Chihuahua
Trained byRey Misterio, Sr.
Victor Ojeda[2]
Debut1988

Professional wrestling career

Armendáriz was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, but also spent a lot of time just across the Mexican border in Juárez, Chihuahua, his family's native town.[1][4] At the age of fifteen, Armendáriz quit school and began training lucha libre in Juárez.[1][4] He officially began his professional wrestling career in 1988, working under a mask as Mister Romano.[1]The character, made up by well known luchador Rey Misterio, was a gladiator themed rudo (villain).[1] Less than a year later, Armendáriz was encouraged to abandon the character and take on a new exótico character by Baby Sharon.[1] Exóticos are male wrestlers dressed in drag portraying gay caricatures. While most exóticos were straight, both Sharon and Armendáriz were gay.[1] Armendáriz wrestled his first match as an exótico in Juárez, working unmasked and under the new ring name Rosa Salvaje ("Wild Rose").[1]

Universal Wrestling Association (1989–1995)

In late 1989, Armendáriz joined the Mexican Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) promotion, where he formed a new partnership with fellow exótico Pimpinela Escarlata, whom he had first met when the two were trained together in Juárez.[1][4][8] Eventually, Armendáriz decided to change his ring name and, in order to do so, first lost the right to use his old one by losing to Johnny Vannessa in a Lucha de Apuestas (bet match).[1] He then adopted the new ring name Cassandro, which he took from a Tijuana brothel keeper named Cassandra, whom he adored.[1]

On January 28, 1991, after a negative backlash to reports that he was going to get to wrestle El Hijo del Santo for the UWA World Welterweight Championship, Armendáriz attempted suicide by cutting his wrists with a razor blade, but was saved by Escarlata, who found him in the bathroom.[1][4] The title match happened a week later and Armendáriz credits it as the match that earned him the lucha libre community's acceptance.[4] Though Cassandro failed to win the UWA World Welterweight Championship from El Hijo del Santo, he managed to win his first title, the UWA World Lightweight Championship, on October 29, 1992, by defeating Lasser, becoming the first exótico in history to hold a championship in UWA.[1][9] After a twenty-month reign, he would lose the title to El Seminarista.[9] He would wrestle for UWA until 1995, when the promotion closed its doors,[10] and began then wrestling on the independent circuit for promotions both in Mexico and the United States.[8] Around this time, Armendáriz began abusing drugs and alcohol, which started to affect his professional wrestling career.[1] Through spiritualism, he finally found sobriety on June 4, 2003, a date, which is tattooed on his back.[1]

Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (2005–2008)

After several quiet years, Cassandro returned to mainstream lucha libre in December 2005 by joining top Mexican promotion Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (AAA), starting a rivalry with former partner Pimpinela Escarlata.[8] The big grudge match between Cassandro and Escarlata took place on May 18, 2006, and ended in a no contest, after which the two competitors agreed to a Hair vs. Hair match at a future date.[11] On June 18 at Triplemanía XIV, Cassandro led a four-man team to face Escarlata's team in an eight-man tag team match, which ended in another no contest.[12] Shortly afterwards, Cassandro suffered an injury, which led to him leaving AAA and returning to the independent circuit.[8] A year later on July 15, 2007, at Triplemanía XV, Cassandro made a one night return to AAA, teaming with Alfa, Cynthia Moreno and Faby Apache to defeat Escarlata, Cynthia Moreno, El Oriental and Mini Abismo Negro.[13] Three months later, Cassandro began again wrestling regularly for AAA, now working as a técnico, teaming with Escarlata against the rudo exótico stable Los Night Queens (Jessy, Nygma, Polvo de Estrellas and Yuriko).[14] Eventually, Cassandro and Escarlata formed the stable Los Exoticos with May Flowers and Pasión Cristal to even out the numbers between the rival groups.

Independent circuit (2008–present)
Cassandro in 2012

After once again leaving AAA in April 2008, Cassandro began working for promotions such as National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Perros del Mal Producciones (PdM), Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA-MS) and in early 2009 signed a contract with American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).[5] Armandariz made his TNA debut on January 27, 2009, working under the ring name Satanico del Exotico in a dark match, where he defeated Petey Williams.[7] In March, TNA began promoting Armandariz's upcoming debut under the new ring name Andromeda.[5] However, after several months of inactivity with the promotion, it was reported in August that Armendáriz and TNA had parted ways. Armendáriz publicly blamed his departure on homophobia.[15][16] On April 3, 2010, Cassandro made his debut for Ring of Honor (ROH), defeating Rhett Titus at The Big Bang! pay-per-view.[17] During the match, Armendáriz broke his leg, which forced him to pull out of Chikara's King of Trios tournament later that same month.[17][18] On June 25, 2011, NWA Mexico, while touring the United Kingdom, set up a match to determine the first NWA World Welterweight Champion since getting the title back from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). In the match Cassandro defeated Dr. Cerebro to win the championship.[19]

On October 9, 2011, at Héroes Inmortales, Cassandro made his return to AAA, saving Pimpinela Escarlata from exóticos Nygma, Pasión Cristal and Polvo de Estrellas, who had recently started a storyline rivalry with Escarlata based on their envy of the new Reina de Reinas Champion.[20] Cassandro wrestled his AAA return match on November 5, teaming with Escarlata and La Braza in a six-man tag team match, where they defeated Nygma, Pasión Cristal and Yuriko.[21] On February 17, 2012, Armendáriz announced he was taking an indefinite hiatus from professional wrestling.[22][23] It was later revealed that Armendáriz had torn his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus and would have to undergo surgery, which would sideline him from professional wrestling for ten to twelve months.[24] Cassandro returned to the ring in early 2013.[25] On March 16, 2013, Cassandro took part in Ray Mendoza Jr.'s retirement event, where he teamed up with El Hijo de Pirata Morgan to compete in a Ruleta de la Muerte, a losers advance tag team tournament. The duo lost to Máscara Año 2000 and Rayo de Jalisco Jr. in the first round and to El Solar and Toscano in the second round qualifying them for the finals, where the losing team would be forced to either unmask or have their hair shaved off. The team faced, and lost, to the team of Villano IV and Ray Mendoza Jr., which meant Cassandro had to have his hair shaved off, while El Hijo de Pirata Morgan had to unmask as is traditional with Lucha de Apuestas losses.[26]

Other media

Through his regular tours of the United Kingdom and his fluency in English, Cassandro has gained some mainstream attention in the country, including being interviewed on BBC Breakfast.[27] In February 2017, Cassandro appeared in a skit on Conan, training Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter to become luchadores.[28] He was featured in a 2016 New Yorker article entitled "How the Drag Queen Cassandro Became a Star of Mexican Wrestling."[29]

He is the subject of the 2018 documentary film Cassandro the Exotico!, by Marie Losier.

Personal life

Armendáriz is openly homosexual.[1][3][6]

Championships and accomplishments

1Championship not recognized by Chikara.

Luchas de Apuestas record
See also: Luchas de Apuestas
Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Johnny Vannessa (name)Rosa Salvaje (name)N/AN/AN/A[1]
Cassandro (hair) and Pimpinela Escarlata (hair)Dragon Chino I (mask) and Dragon Chino II (mask)N/AN/AN/A[31]
Cassandro (hair) and Pimpinela Escarlata (hair)Dragon Chino I (hair) and Dragon Chino II (hair)N/AN/AN/A 
Cassandro (hair)Profeta (mask)N/AN/AN/A 
Cassandro (hair)Profeta (hair)N/AN/AN/A[31]
Cassandro (hair)Halcon Dorado (hair)N/AN/AN/A 
Cassandro (hair)Misterioso (hair)N/AN/AN/A[31]
Cassandro (hair)Bello Armando (hair)N/AN/AN/A 
Cassandro (hair)Peluchin (hair)N/AN/AN/A 
Cassandro (hair)El Galactico (hair)N/AN/AN/A 
Lady Apache (hair)Cassandro (hair)Ciudad Juárez, ChihuahuaLive eventMay 26, 2002[Note 1]
Cassandro (hair)Ruby Gardenia (hair)Los Angeles, CaliforniaLive eventJune 22, 2006[31]
El Hijo del Santo (mask)Cassandro (hair)Los Angeles, CaliforniaLive eventJuly 14, 2007[Note 2]
Ray Mendoza Jr. (hair) and Villano IV (mask)Cassandro (hair) and El Hijo de Pirata Morgan (mask)Naucalpan, Mexico StateLive eventMarch 16, 2013[Note 3][26]
Peluchin Maldad (mask)Cassandro (hair)El Paso, TexasLive eventApril 24, 2016
gollark: And drive at 17, but drink alcohol (generally speaking) at 18 too.
gollark: In the UK, you can apparently join the military at 16, but not vote until 18.
gollark: Who?
gollark: I mean, it's bad for your liver and stuff, and also brain.
gollark: alcohol bad.

See also

Footnotes
  1. Six person tag team steel cage match, where Cassandro, May Flowers and Pimpinela Escarlata faced Apache, Tiffany and Yahaira.
  2. Steel cage match, which also included Gran Hamada, El Hijo de Rey Misterio, L.A. Park, Nicho el Millonario, Pentagon Black and Rey Misterio, Sr.
  3. Finals of a Ruleta de la Muerte tournament at the Rey Mendoza Jr. retirement show.

References
  1. Finnegan, William (September 1, 2014). "The Man Without a Mask". The New Yorker. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  2. "Cassandro". Cagematch (in German). Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  3. Imison, Paul (April 15, 2012). "El Paso-born openly gay, cross-dressing luchador has fought battles in and out of the arena". El Paso Times. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  4. Cabana, Colt (March 2, 2011). "AOW 32: Cassandro" (MP3). Art of Wrestling. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  5. Boutwell, Josh (March 13, 2009). "Viva La Raza! # Diecisiete". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  6. Martin, Adam (March 3, 2011). "Cassandro El Exotico on latest Colt Cabana podcast". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on March 18, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  7. Boutwell, Josh (January 30, 2009). "Viva La Raza! # Once (11)". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  8. "¿Quién es Casandro?". Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (in Spanish). October 11, 2011. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  9. Duncan, Royal; Westcott, Brian. "Universal Wrestling Association World Lightweight Title". Solie's Title Histories. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  10. Madigan, Dan (2007). "Ray Mendoza and Los Villaños". Mondo Lucha a Go Go: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperColins Publisher. pp. 193–196. ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3.
  11. Alvarez, Bryan (May 22, 2006). "Tuesday news: Mexico, DX DVD, HBK storyline, MNM, more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  12. "Triplemanía XIV: La Parka descubre el rostro de El Mesías…". Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (in Spanish). June 24, 2011. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  13. "Triplemanía XV: Se estrena el Domo de la Muerte, con Kenzo rapado". Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (in Spanish). June 24, 2011. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  14. "Video reporte:AAA, Homenaje a Antonio Peña (7 Oct 07)". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). October 8, 2007. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  15. Martin, Adam (August 14, 2009). "Why a TNA character never debuted". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on April 29, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  16. Ruiz Glez, Alex (October 27, 2007). "Casandro responde a las dudas expresadas por usuarios de Súper Luchas – Aclara que pasó con "Andromeda"". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  17. Radican, Sean (April 3, 2010). "Radican's ROH The Big Bang PPV Blog 4/3: Black vs. Aries vs. Strong, Briscoes vs. KOW". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  18. Boutwell, Josh (April 17, 2010). "Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  19. Captain Ironstorm (June 25, 2011). "Cassandro obtiene el Título Mundial welter NWA en Londres". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  20. Cano Vela, Eduardo (October 9, 2011). "AAA Héroes Inmortales (Cobertura y resultados 9 de Octubre de 2011) – Mesias y Sting empatan y unen sus fuerzas contra Konnan, Jarrett y sus aliados, Wagner gana pero Octagón y La Parka lo traicionan, los perros pierden las cabelleras". Superluchas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  21. "En Ecatepec, se consuma la venganza de Octagón". Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (in Spanish). November 6, 2011. Archived from the original on November 17, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  22. Kru Demmon (February 17, 2012). "¿Cassandro se retira de la lucha?". R de Rudo (in Spanish). Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  23. Boutwell, Josh (February 18, 2012). "Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly". Wrestleview. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
  24. "Cassandro's Recuperation Fund". Cassandro's Recuperation Fund. Facebook. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
  25. Boutwell, Josh (February 9, 2013). "Viva la Raza! Lucha Weekly 2/9/13". Wrestleview. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  26. Valdés, Apolo (March 17, 2013). "Ray Mendoza Jr. dijo adiós a la Lucha Libre". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  27. Rothstein, Simon (May 27, 2011). "Charlie gets kissed by a wrestler". BBC. Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  28. Johnson, Mike (March 2, 2017). "Conan O'Brien trains as luchador, Dreamer, Bubba and Velvet on 'Impractical Jokers' tonight, ECWA Super 8 competitors, Piper reference on 'The Goldbergs' & more". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  29. Yorker, The New (2016-11-29). "How the Drag Queen Cassandro Became a Star of Mexican Wrestling". ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  30. "Promociones PC". Cagematch (in German). Retrieved November 1, 2011.
  31. "Casandro". Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (in Spanish). Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
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