Ángel Azteca
Encyclopedia
Juan Manuel Zúñiga was a Mexican
professional wrestler
, or Luchador
as they are called in Spanish
, best known for working under the ring name
Ángel Azteca (Aztec Angel) since the late 1980s. Zúñiga died of a heart attack
on March 18, 2007 only a few hours after wrestling in the main event of a local promotion
. Zúñiga is not related to wrestlers "Ángel Azteca, Jr.
" and "Ángel Azteca II", instead they paid Zúñiga to use the name and image. As Ángel Azteca Zúñiga worked as an enmascarado
, or masked wrestler, until losing a match against Arkangel de la Muerte
in 2003 where he was forced to unmask.
before making his professional wrestling debut in 1980. Initially he worked as "Charro" or "Charro de Jalisco", winning the Mexican National Cruiserweight Championship On October 24, 1986 from Adorable Rubí
. On December 28, 1986 he lost the title to a wrestler called "Judas ". In 1988 he changed his ring persona, creating the "Ángel Azteca" (Aztec Angel) character that he would be most known as for the remainder of his career as he began working full time for Empressa Mexicana de Lucha Libre
(EMLL; Later they would change names to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL)). Ángel Azteca was teamed up with fellow Tecnico (a good guy character or Face
) Atlantis
to form a very successful tag team
. Together they won the Mexican National Tag Team Championship
on March 6, 1988 from the team of Los Infernales
(Masakre
and MS-1
). Over the next 811 days Azteca and Atlantis defended the tag team titles against such teams as Hombre Bala and Pirata Morgan
, El Dandy
and El Texano
and Pierroth, Jr.
and Ulisses. On February 26, 1989 Ángel Azteca became a double champion when he defeated Bestia Salvaje
for the Mexican National Welterweight Championship
. Two months later Azteca vacated the Mexican National Welterweight Championship when he defeated Emilio Charles, Jr.
to win the NWA World Middleweight Championship
, moving up to the Middleweight division. Azteca would make several successful defenses against the former champion as well as El Hijo del Gladiador
. On May 25, 1990 Atlantis and Ángel Azteca were finally beaten for the Mexican Tag title by Pierroth, Jr. and Bestia Salvaje. A couple of months later El Dandy won the NWA World Middleweight Championship from Ángel Azteca. the loss of the Tag Team titles was used as the storyline
motivation for Ángel Azteca turning Rudo (villain or Heel
after attacking his partner. The feud between the two continued off and on until Ángel Azteca's death in 2007, while the two remained close friends backstage. On March 9, 1991 Ángel Azteca and Volador
teamed up to win the Mexican National Tag Team Championship from Pierroth, Jr. and Bestia Salvaje, holding them for two months before dropping them to Los Destructores (Tony Arce and Vulcano). In 1992 Ángel Azteca left CMLL and joined a large number of ex-CMLL employees in the newly created Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
(AAA) promotion. In AAA Ángel Azteca teamed up with El Hijo del Santo
and Super Muñeco
to win the Mexican National Trios Championship
from Los Payasos (Coco Amarillo, Coco Azul and Coco Rojo). The trio held the championship for 124 days before losing it back to Los Payasos. After losing the Trios title Ángel Azteca briefly worked for AAA as "Charro de Jalisco", but left AAA not long after.
When he returned to CMLL the creative team was planning on giving Ángel Azteca a new mask and outfit to "freshen up" the character, but when Azteca temporarily retired from wrestling the new mask design and tights was given to a new CMLL wrestler dubbed Último Guerrero
. Zúñiga only worked very in a limited capacity from the mid-1990s until early 2003 where he returned to CMLL. Azteca began working a low card feud with Arkangel de la Muerta that received limited publicity until CMLL began hyping their 70th Anniversary show, where Ángel Azteca versus Arkangel de la Muerte was booked in a Luchas de Apuestas match where the loser would have to unmask. Arkangel won, unmasking Ázteca in what was Ángel Azteca's last high publicity match. After the mask loss Ángel Azteca left CMLL, working a limited scheduled on the independent circuit
, sometimes even working as a referee instead of a wrestler. In 2006 Ángel Azteca returned to the ring, mainly to help push "Ángel Azteca II" and "Ángel Azteca, Jr.
"; two wrestlers who paid Zúñiga to use the "Ángel Azteca" name. After Zúñiga's death Ángel Azteca II changed his name to Emperador Azteca while Ángel Azteca, Jr. still uses the name in CMLL, but does not make any claims about being the son of Ángel Azteca.
show. After the match Zúñiga signed autographs for the fans, but then began complaining of chest pains. The event doctor immediately took him to the Manuel Campos Hospital but Zúñiga died shortly after arriving. The autopsy revealed that Zúñiga had died from a heart attack
. The body was later taken to Mexico City for the wake before being transferred to Zúñiga's home town of Torreón
, Coahuila
where he was buried.
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 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...
, or Luchador
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...
as they are called in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, best known for working under the 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:...
Ángel Azteca (Aztec Angel) since the late 1980s. Zúñiga died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on March 18, 2007 only a few hours after wrestling in the main event of a local 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...
. Zúñiga is not related to wrestlers "Ángel Azteca, Jr.
Ángel Azteca, Jr.
Ángel Azteca, Jr. is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler, currently working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre . He is not the actual son of Luchador Ángel Azteca, but got permission to use the name by the original before he...
" and "Ángel Azteca II", instead they paid Zúñiga to use the name and image. As Ángel Azteca Zúñiga worked as an enmascarado
Wrestling mask
A Wrestling mask is a fabric based mask that some professional wrestlers wear as part of their in-ring persona or gimmick. Professional wrestlers have been using masks as far back as 1915 and they are still widely used today, especially in Lucha Libre in Mexico.-History:In 1915 a North American...
, or masked wrestler, until losing a match against Arkangel de la Muerte
Arkangel de la Muerte
Arkangel de la Muerte is a luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler, best known for his work in the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre . he is often referred to as just Arkangel. He previous worked under the ring name "Mister Cid" but changed to...
in 2003 where he was forced to unmask.
Professional wrestling career
Juan Zúñiga trained under Héctor López, Asterión and Lucha Libre superstar Dr. WagnerDr. Wagner
Manuel González Rivera was a Mexican professional wrestler, or Luchador best known under the ring name Dr. Wagner. González made his professional wrestling debut in 1961 and worked the majority of his career for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Empressa Mexicana de Lucha Libre . As Dr...
before making his professional wrestling debut in 1980. Initially he worked as "Charro" or "Charro de Jalisco", winning the Mexican National Cruiserweight Championship On October 24, 1986 from Adorable Rubí
Adorable Rubí
Rubi Rubalcaba is a retired Mexican Luchador, or professional wrestler who is best known under the ring name Adorable Rubí. As Adorable Rubí he was one of the pioneers of the Exotico wrestling style, mixing Cross-dressing with wrestling to create sexually ambiguous characters...
. On December 28, 1986 he lost the title to a wrestler called "Judas ". In 1988 he changed his ring persona, creating the "Ángel Azteca" (Aztec Angel) character that he would be most known as for the remainder of his career as he began working full time for Empressa Mexicana de Lucha Libre
Consejo 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; Later they would change names to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL)). Ángel Azteca was teamed up with fellow Tecnico (a good guy character or Face
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...
) Atlantis
Atlantis (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...
to form a very successful tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
. Together they won the Mexican National Tag Team Championship
Mexican National Tag Team Championship
The Mexican National Tag Team Championship is a national Mexican professional wrestling championship controlled by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." and contested for by Tag teams only...
on March 6, 1988 from the team of Los Infernales
Los Infernales
Los Infernales is a Mexican professional wrestling group, called a stable. The stable was created in 1984 and consisted of El Satánico, MS-1 and Espectro, Jr.. A later version where Pirata Morgan replaced Espectro, Jr. is considered the "classic" Infernales team that helped popularize the "Trios"...
(Masakre
Masakre
Aristóteles Radamés Coccó Flores is a retired Mexican professional wrestler, or luchador who is best known for working under the ring name Masakre in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre...
and MS-1
MS-1 (wrestler)
Pablo Fuentes Reyna is a retired Luchador who's most known under the ring name MS-1...
). Over the next 811 days Azteca and Atlantis defended the tag team titles against such teams as Hombre Bala and Pirata Morgan
Pirata Morgan
Pedro Ortiz Villanueva is a Mexican professional wrestler, or luchador, and wrestling trainer who is best known under the ring name Pirata Morgan...
, El Dandy
El Dandy
Roberto 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:...
and El Texano
El Texano
Juan Conrado Aguilar Jáuregui , better known by his ring name El Texano, was a Mexican professional wrestler...
and Pierroth, Jr.
Pierroth, Jr.
Norberto Salgado Salcedo is a retired Mexican luchador , best known under the ring name Pierroth, Jr.. Salgado made his professional wrestling debut on July 1, 1984 working as an Luchador Enmascarado, or masked wrestler, using the name Pierroth, Jr...
and Ulisses. On February 26, 1989 Ángel Azteca became a double champion when he defeated Bestia Salvaje
Bestia Salvaje
Juan Manuel Rodriguez was a Mexican luchador, best known by his ringname Bestia Salvaje, who competed in Mexican and international promotions during the 1980s and 1990s, most notably with Emilio Charles, Jr. and Scorpio, Jr. as part of the stable Los Talibanes...
for the Mexican National Welterweight Championship
Mexican National Welterweight Championship
The Mexican National Welterweight Championship is a Mexican professional wrestling championship created and sanctioned by Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F. . While the commission sanctions the title, it does not promote the events at which the title is defended...
. Two months later Azteca vacated the Mexican National Welterweight Championship when he defeated Emilio Charles, Jr.
Emilio Charles, Jr.
Sergio Emilio Charles Garduño is a semi-retired Mexican Luchador or professional wrestler who is best known under his Ring name Emilio Charles, Jr. He is the son of professional wrestler Emilio Charles. Over the years Emilio Charles, Jr...
to win the NWA World Middleweight Championship
NWA World Middleweight Championship
The NWA World Middleweight Championship is a currently inactive professional wrestling championship, promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance . For the majority of its existence it has been promoted by Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre , where it was known as the Campeonato...
, moving up to the Middleweight division. Azteca would make several successful defenses against the former champion as well as El Hijo del Gladiador
Arturo Beristain
Arturo Beristain is a retired Mexican professional wrestler, or Luchador in Spanish, who currently works as a wrestling trainer at the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre's gym in Mexico City, Mexico...
. On May 25, 1990 Atlantis and Ángel Azteca were finally beaten for the Mexican Tag title by Pierroth, Jr. and Bestia Salvaje. A couple of months later El Dandy won the NWA World Middleweight Championship from Ángel Azteca. the loss of the Tag Team titles was used as the storyline
Narrative thread
A narrative thread, or plot thread , refers to particular elements and techniques of writing to center the story in the action or experience of characters rather than to relate a matter in a dry 'All knowing' sort of narration...
motivation for Ángel Azteca turning Rudo (villain or Heel
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
after attacking his partner. The feud between the two continued off and on until Ángel Azteca's death in 2007, while the two remained close friends backstage. On March 9, 1991 Ángel Azteca and Volador
Super Parka
Ramón Ibarra Banda is a Mexican Luchador, or Professional wrestler currently working under the ring name Super Parka. Ibarra previously worked as Volador from 1990 until 1997 and as Super Parka ever since. Ibarra is the father of Luchador Volador, Jr. and the uncle of L.A. Park, who was the...
teamed up to win the Mexican National Tag Team Championship from Pierroth, Jr. and Bestia Salvaje, holding them for two months before dropping them to Los Destructores (Tony Arce and Vulcano). In 1992 Ángel Azteca left CMLL and joined a large number of ex-CMLL employees in the newly created Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
Asistencia Asesoría y Administración
Asistencia Asesoría y Administración is a lucha libre professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico...
(AAA) promotion. In AAA Ángel Azteca teamed up with 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...
and Super Muñeco
Super Muñeco
Super Muñeco is a Mexican Luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler. Super Muñeco is Spanish for "Super Toy", a comedic ring character based on the clown...
to win the Mexican National Trios Championship
Mexican National Trios Championship
The Mexican National Trios Championship is a three-man tag team professional wrestling championship controlled by a "National title" controlled by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." , which regulates all matches where the title is defended...
from Los Payasos (Coco Amarillo, Coco Azul and Coco Rojo). The trio held the championship for 124 days before losing it back to Los Payasos. After losing the Trios title Ángel Azteca briefly worked for AAA as "Charro de Jalisco", but left AAA not long after.
When he returned to CMLL the creative team was planning on giving Ángel Azteca a new mask and outfit to "freshen up" the character, but when Azteca temporarily retired from wrestling the new mask design and tights was given to a new CMLL wrestler dubbed Último Guerrero
Último Guerrero
Último Guerrero is a Mexican currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre , where he is also part of the booking committee and former CMLL World Heavyweight Championship...
. Zúñiga only worked very in a limited capacity from the mid-1990s until early 2003 where he returned to CMLL. Azteca began working a low card feud with Arkangel de la Muerta that received limited publicity until CMLL began hyping their 70th Anniversary show, where Ángel Azteca versus Arkangel de la Muerte was booked in a Luchas de Apuestas match where the loser would have to unmask. Arkangel won, unmasking Ázteca in what was Ángel Azteca's last high publicity match. After the mask loss Ángel Azteca left CMLL, working a limited scheduled on the independent circuit
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
, sometimes even working as a referee instead of a wrestler. In 2006 Ángel Azteca returned to the ring, mainly to help push "Ángel Azteca II" and "Ángel Azteca, Jr.
Ángel Azteca, Jr.
Ángel Azteca, Jr. is a Mexican Luchador Enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler, currently working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre . He is not the actual son of Luchador Ángel Azteca, but got permission to use the name by the original before he...
"; two wrestlers who paid Zúñiga to use the "Ángel Azteca" name. After Zúñiga's death Ángel Azteca II changed his name to Emperador Azteca while Ángel Azteca, Jr. still uses the name in CMLL, but does not make any claims about being the son of Ángel Azteca.
Personal life
Juan Zúñiga was married and the couple had five kids together. Zúñiga had a reputation of being a gentleman both inside and outside of the ring and was very respected by his peers.Death
On March 13, 2007 Zúñiga teamed up with Demonio Rojo and Pinkusky in a losing effort against Atlantis, Imperio Dorado and Rebelde Punk in the main event of a local CampecheCampeche, Campeche
San Francisco de Campeche is the capital city of the Mexican state of Campeche, located at,...
show. After the match Zúñiga signed autographs for the fans, but then began complaining of chest pains. The event doctor immediately took him to the Manuel Campos Hospital but Zúñiga died shortly after arriving. The autopsy revealed that Zúñiga had died from a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
. The body was later taken to Mexico City for the wake before being transferred to Zúñiga's home town of Torreón
Torreón
Torreón is a city and seat of the surrounding municipality of the same name in the Mexican state of Coahuila. As of 2010, the city's population was 608,836 with 639,629 in the municipality. The metropolitan population, including Matamoros, Coahuila, and Gómez Palacio and Lerdo in adjacent Durango,...
, Coahuila
Coahuila
Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
where he was buried.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- La Suástica (Leg trap abdominal stretch)
- Huracarrana
- Signature moves
- Arm drag variations
Championships and accomplishments
- Asistencia Asesoría y AdministraciónAsistencia Asesoría y AdministraciónAsistencia Asesoría y Administración is a lucha libre professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico...
- Mexican National Trios ChampionshipMexican National Trios ChampionshipThe Mexican National Trios Championship is a three-man tag team professional wrestling championship controlled by a "National title" controlled by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." , which regulates all matches where the title is defended...
(1 time) – with El Hijo del SantoEl Hijo del SantoJorge 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...
and Super MuñecoSuper MuñecoSuper Muñeco is a Mexican Luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler. Super Muñeco is Spanish for "Super Toy", a comedic ring character based on the clown...
- Empressa Mexicana de Lucha Libre / Consejo Mundial de Lucha LibreConsejo Mundial de Lucha LibreConsejo 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...
- Mexican National Cruiserweight ChampionshipMexican National Cruiserweight ChampionshipThe Mexican National Cruiserweight Championship is a national Mexican singles professional wrestling championship controlled by Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F....
(1 time) – as "Charro de Jalisco" - Mexican National Tag Team ChampionshipMexican National Tag Team ChampionshipThe Mexican National Tag Team Championship is a national Mexican professional wrestling championship controlled by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." and contested for by Tag teams only...
(2 times) – with 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...
, Super ParkaSuper ParkaRamón Ibarra Banda is a Mexican Luchador, or Professional wrestler currently working under the ring name Super Parka. Ibarra previously worked as Volador from 1990 until 1997 and as Super Parka ever since. Ibarra is the father of Luchador Volador, Jr. and the uncle of L.A. Park, who was the... - Mexican National Welterweight ChampionshipMexican National Welterweight ChampionshipThe Mexican National Welterweight Championship is a Mexican professional wrestling championship created and sanctioned by Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F. . While the commission sanctions the title, it does not promote the events at which the title is defended...
(1 time) - NWA World Middleweight ChampionshipNWA World Middleweight ChampionshipThe NWA World Middleweight Championship is a currently inactive professional wrestling championship, promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance . For the majority of its existence it has been promoted by Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre , where it was known as the Campeonato...
(1 timeNWA World Middleweight ChampionshipThe NWA World Middleweight Championship is a currently inactive professional wrestling championship, promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance . For the majority of its existence it has been promoted by Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre , where it was known as the Campeonato...
)
- Local Mexican promotions
- Laguna Lightweight Championship (1 time)
- Arena Victoria Tag Team Championship (1 time)
Lucha de Apuesta record
| Wager | Winner | Loser | Location | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mask | Ángel Azteca | Dr. Muerte | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Hair | Príncipe Maya | Ángel Azteca | Tlalnepantla Tlalnepantla Tlalnepantla could refer to one of two places in the Republic of Mexico:* Tlalnepantla de Baz, a town in the state of México.* Tlalnepantla, Morelos, a town and municipality in the state of Morelos.... , Mexico State |
Unknown | Hair vs. Hair between Masked wrestlers |
| Mask | Ángel Azteca | Príncipe Maya | Tlalnepantla Tlalnepantla Tlalnepantla could refer to one of two places in the Republic of Mexico:* Tlalnepantla de Baz, a town in the state of México.* Tlalnepantla, Morelos, a town and municipality in the state of Morelos.... , Mexico State |
Unknown | |
| Mask | Ángel Azteca | Kraken | Mexico City, Mexico Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... |
||
| Mask | Arkangel de la Muerte Arkangel de la Muerte Arkangel de la Muerte is a luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler, best known for his work in the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre . he is often referred to as just Arkangel. He previous worked under the ring name "Mister Cid" but changed to... |
Ángel Azteca | Mexico City, Mexico Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... |