Harry Del Rios
Encyclopedia
Harry Del Rios is an American
professional wrestler
. Rios is best known as the Spellbinder, however, he has competed under many other ring name
s during his career.
Del Rios' first prominent wrestling role was in the United States Wrestling Association
. He debuted there on September 13, 1993. He wrestled as the Spellbinder for the first 4 matches of his career, then switched to wrestling under his real name, then switched back to the Spellbinder gimmick in March 1994. He would use the Spellbinder gimmick for the reminder of his time in USWA. His last USWA match was in October of 1995. He continued to wrestle in various Memphis promotions after leaving the USWA. He won the NWA North American Tag Team Title with Brian Christopher
in 1999, and the Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title in 2000.
He made one appearance in World Wrestling Federation
(WWF), on the July 16, 1995 episode of Wrestling Challenge. He portrayed a babyface
named "Phantasio" and came out to no entrance music. His gimmick was that of a magician wrestler. He wore a black and white mime mask (which he handed to a kid sitting at ringside) that revealed matching facepaint when removed. He defeated Tony DeVito
by sneaking up from behind and magically pulling out his boxers allowing him to roll up DeVito for the victory. After the match he magically removed the boxers (black and white colored) of referee Earl Hebner
. Though he never again appeared on TV, he did appear in a house show
match against Rad Radford.
Harry Del Rios competed on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
's first-ever broadcast on June 19, 2002. He wrestled as Del Rios, but was not used by TNA after the initial broadcast.
In 2003, Rios made a short lived comeback as Shock. He teamed up with wrestler Awe ("British Storm" Ian Harrison
). The team would wrestle primarily in Memphis Wrestling
.
In the January 2007 issue of WWE Magazine
, there is a short interview with Harry Del Rios concerning the Phantasio character. Del Rios claims that the idea originated as a combination of the Ultimate Warrior
and Legion of Doom
gimmicks. He also hinted at a possible return of the Phantasio persona.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler
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...
. Rios is best known as the Spellbinder, however, he has competed under many other ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
s during his career.
Del Rios' first prominent wrestling role was in the United States Wrestling Association
United States Wrestling Association
The United States Wrestling Association or USWA was a professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee. It was founded by former CWA owner Jerry Jarrett.-Foundation:...
. He debuted there on September 13, 1993. He wrestled as the Spellbinder for the first 4 matches of his career, then switched to wrestling under his real name, then switched back to the Spellbinder gimmick in March 1994. He would use the Spellbinder gimmick for the reminder of his time in USWA. His last USWA match was in October of 1995. He continued to wrestle in various Memphis promotions after leaving the USWA. He won the NWA North American Tag Team Title with Brian Christopher
Brian Lawler
Brian Christopher Lawler is a professional wrestler. He is the son of color commentator and professional wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler and brother of wrestling referee Kevin Christian...
in 1999, and the Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title in 2000.
He made one appearance in World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(WWF), on the July 16, 1995 episode of Wrestling Challenge. He portrayed a babyface
Face (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
named "Phantasio" and came out to no entrance music. His gimmick was that of a magician wrestler. He wore a black and white mime mask (which he handed to a kid sitting at ringside) that revealed matching facepaint when removed. He defeated Tony DeVito
Tony DeVito
Anthony "Tony" DeVito is an American professional wrestler, best known for working in Extreme Championship Wrestling and Ring of Honor...
by sneaking up from behind and magically pulling out his boxers allowing him to roll up DeVito for the victory. After the match he magically removed the boxers (black and white colored) of referee Earl Hebner
Earl Hebner
Earl William Hebner is a professional wrestling referee currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and the twin brother of Dave Hebner...
. Though he never again appeared on TV, he did appear in a house show
House show
A house show is a professional wrestling show run by a major promotion that is not televised, though they can be recorded. Promotions use house shows mainly to cash in on the exposure that they and their wrestlers receive during televised events, as well as test reactions to matches, wrestlers, and...
match against Rad Radford.
Harry Del Rios competed on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
's first-ever broadcast on June 19, 2002. He wrestled as Del Rios, but was not used by TNA after the initial broadcast.
In 2003, Rios made a short lived comeback as Shock. He teamed up with wrestler Awe ("British Storm" Ian Harrison
Ian Harrison (wrestler)
Ian Harrison , better known by his ring name, "British Storm" Ian Harrison, is a British born former professional wrestler and bodybuilder....
). The team would wrestle primarily in Memphis Wrestling
Memphis Wrestling
Memphis Wrestling is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:Memphis Wrestling evolved from an earlier short-lived promotion called Memphis Championship Wrestling.-Television:...
.
In the January 2007 issue of WWE Magazine
WWE Magazine
WWE Magazine is the official professional wrestling magazine of WWE. This incarnation of the magazine contains lifestyle sections, a monthly calendar, entertainment, work out tips, and other information.-History:...
, there is a short interview with Harry Del Rios concerning the Phantasio character. Del Rios claims that the idea originated as a combination of the Ultimate Warrior
Warrior (wrestler)
Also see Warrior .Warrior is an American retired professional wrestler who notably performed under the ring names The Ultimate Warrior and Warrior...
and Legion of Doom
Road Warriors
The Road Warriors were a professional wrestling tag team composed of Michael "Hawk" Hegstrand and Joseph "Animal" Laurinaitis. They performed under the name "Road Warriors" in the American Wrestling Association, the National Wrestling Alliance, and World Championship Wrestling, and the name Legion...
gimmicks. He also hinted at a possible return of the Phantasio persona.
Championships and accomplishments
- Memphis WrestlingMemphis WrestlingMemphis Wrestling is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:Memphis Wrestling evolved from an earlier short-lived promotion called Memphis Championship Wrestling.-Television:...
- Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Main EventNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA North American Tag Team ChampionshipNWA North American Tag Team ChampionshipThe NWA North American Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship that is currently used and defended in various territories throughout the National Wrestling Alliance. This is the fifth NWA sanctioned championship to bear this name...
(1 time) - with Brian ChristopherBrian LawlerBrian Christopher Lawler is a professional wrestler. He is the son of color commentator and professional wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler and brother of wrestling referee Kevin Christian...
- NWA North American Tag Team Championship
- United States Wrestling AssociationUnited States Wrestling AssociationThe United States Wrestling Association or USWA was a professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee. It was founded by former CWA owner Jerry Jarrett.-Foundation:...
- USWA Heavyweight ChampionshipAWA Southern Heavyweight ChampionshipThe Memphis Wrestling Southern Heavyweight Championship is a major professional wrestling title in the Memphis Wrestling promotion. The title is part of a long lineage that is best known while the title was named the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship for Continental Wrestling Association during...
(2 times)
- USWA Heavyweight Championship
- Other Titles
- PPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- XWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)