I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Miguel Ángel López Díaz, better known to the wrestling world as Rey Misterio Sr. He was a man of great talent and respect, and someone I was fortunate enough to share the ring with during my very first professional wrestling match. That match, which took place on January 25, 1981, will always hold a special place in my heart. It was myself and my tag team partner at the time, Juan Hernández, wrestling as Los Frailes #1 and #2, against Rey Misterio Sr. and his tag team partner, Pequeño Apolo. What an exciting and unforgettable match it was.
I owe an eternal debt of gratitude to The Great Goliath, a legendary wrestler in his own right as part of the iconic duo Black Gordman and Goliath. Goliath was not only our trainer but the one who believed in us enough to prepare us for that moment. Under his guidance, Juan and I trained for two long years before stepping into the ring for that debut match. It took place at the Tijuana Auditorium, in front of a packed, full-capacity crowd. To our surprise, promoter Jesús Sánchez placed us in the third match on the card—a huge honor for two rookies. The pressure was immense, but thanks to Goliath’s training and the professionalism of Rey Misterio Sr. and Pequeño Apolo, we were able to hold our own and deliver an exciting performance.
That night opened the door to a world of opportunity for us. Soon after, we began working for Mike LeBell’s California promotion, specifically under the guidance of San Bernardino promoter Jeff Walton. It marked the beginning of a journey that would shape my life and career in so many ways. Back then, breaking into the wrestling business was no easy feat. It required persistence, dedication, and a bit of luck. I’ll never forget how I would constantly pester Goliath to train us until, finally, he gave in. That decision changed everything. I ended up spending nine years under his mentorship, not only learning from him but eventually helping to train others who came through his school. It wasn’t a formal school at first—just a training space in San Bernardino that organically grew into a hub for aspiring wrestlers.
The time I spent learning and teaching at that school instilled in me a deep love for professional wrestling and a passion for helping others pursue their dreams. That experience inspired me to open my own school and run various wrestling promotions, creating platforms for young talent to perform in front of live audiences. Wrestling is not an easy path—it requires heart, determination, and sacrifice. But for those who truly have the desire to succeed, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable. It’s not just about the wrestlers themselves but about the fans who spend their hard-earned money to be entertained. Creating lasting memories for them is what makes all the effort worthwhile.
Wrestling has given me countless cherished memories, alongside its fair share of disappointments and sacrifices. But if I had the chance to do it all over again, I would say yes without hesitation. Watching those I’ve trained move on to bigger stages and achieve success in this industry is the ultimate reward. It makes every challenge, every hardship, and every moment of doubt worth it.
To The Great Goliath, Jeff Walton, Rey Misterio Sr., and Pequeño Apolo: thank you for giving me and my partner our start in this business. Rey and Apolo could have easily dominated us in that first match, but instead, they showed us respect and made us look good. That generosity set the tone for everything that followed.
Gracias, amigos. Rest in peace, Rey Misterio Sr. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will live on forever.
