THE CURRENT CHAMPION

WHO IS THE GREAT GOLIATH?

The Great Goliath, born Pablo Ordaz Crispín, was a true giant of the Southern California wrestling scene, bringing a larger than life personality and a relentless rule breaker attitude to every ring he stepped into. Born in Mexico but often playfully claiming he was from New Mexico just to get a rise out of the Los Angeles crowds, he became one of the most recognizable faces at the legendary Olympic Auditorium. Though the wrestling world mourned his passing in 2004, the legacy of the man with the signature mustache and intimidating presence remains a force of nature in the history of the sport.

His career was defined by a legendary partnership with Black Gordman, forming a tag team duo that dominated the NWA Americas territory for over a decade. Together, they held tag team gold dozens of times, engaging in bloody, high stakes feuds against icons like Mil Máscaras and Chavo Guerrero Sr. Goliath was a master of the ring, blending his early roots as a high flyer with a gritty, powerhouse style that made him a staple of the 1970s and 80s wrestling boom. Even as he moved into promoting his own shows in San Bernardino later in life, his reputation as a top tier performer remained untouchable.

Beyond the championships, Goliath’s most enduring gift to the sport was his mentorship of EWF founder Jesse Hernandez. Goliath didn’t just teach Jesse how to take a bump, he instilled in him the psychology and respect required to survive in the business, becoming a pivotal father figure and mentor. Today, the Empire Wrestling Federation keeps that fire burning with the annual Great Goliath Rumble, a high stakes battle royal that serves as the ultimate tribute to the man who started it all. For the locker room, competing in the Rumble isn’t just about winning a trophy, it’s about honoring the prestige of a legend and carrying the torch Goliath lit decades ago in the heart of the Inland Empire.