Drago (wrestler)

Víctor Manuel Soto Flores (born July 23, 1975) is a Mexican ''Luchador'' or professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, where he is the former AAA Latin American Champion.

Flores has worked as Drago in Lucha Underground and in the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA), as Gato Eveready or simply El Gato under which he was an unofficial member of the wrestling group Real Fuerza Aérea, and as Alan in the group called Los Barrio Boys.

Professional wrestling career

Asistencia, Asesoría y Administración

Early years (1998–2001)

Victor Soto made his professional wrestling debut in April, 1998 on a Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) show, under the name ''Morfo''. Later on his ring name was changed to "Jimmy Boy" and he was teamed up with Billy and Vangelis to form a Boy band inspired group called ''Los Spice Boys''. At Triplemanía VII Jimmy Boy, Billy and Vangelis defeated Los Payasos (Coco Amarillo, Coco Rojo and Coco Verde) in one of the undercard matches. At the 2000 ''Guerra de Titanes'' event Los Spice Boys lost to ''Los Vatos Locos'' ( Espiritu, Nygma, Picudo and Silver Cat).

Los Barrio Boys (2001–2008)

In 2001 his gimmick was changed to Alan and he was made part of a group called ''Los Barrio Boys'' along with Billy Boy (formerly known as "Spice Boy" Billy) and Decnis. The team worked extensive storyline feuds with '' Los Diabólicos'' (Ángel Mortal, Mr. Condór and Marabunta) and with AAA trainer Gran Apache to help the young team improve their in-ring skills, especially the storyline with Gran Apache would shape the development of ''Los Barrio Boys'' over the years. On September 16, 2001 ''Los Barrio Boys'' made their first major show appearance as they wrestled the team of Milano Collection AT, Nitohei Oyanagi and Yasushi Tsujimoto to a draw at ''Verano de Escandalo (2001), Verano de Escandalos''. A few months later ''Los Barrio Boys'' teamed with Ice Cream to defeat ''Los Diabolicos'' and Police Man in the opening match of ''Guerra de Titanes (2001), Guerra de Titanes''. On December 12, 2002 ''Los Barrio Boys'' teamed up with El Ángel (wrestler), Oscar Sevilla to defeat ''Los Vatos Locos'' to win the Mexican National Atómicos Championship. The team had one successful title defense, defeating Hator, Monje Negro, Jr., El Potro and Ben Hur on April 6, 2003 On July 18, 2003 the team lost the Atómicos title back to ''Los Vatos Locos'' but would regain them under a month later when they defeated ''Los Vatos Locos'' on August 8, 2003. Sevilla and ''Los Barrio Boys'' successfully defended the Atómicos title against ''Los Exoticos'' (Pimpinela Escarlata, May Flowers, Polvo de Estrellas and Sexy Francis) on October 26, 2003. Their second, and final run with the Mexican National Atómicos title ended on August 20, 2004 when they were defeated by The Black Family (Chessman (wrestler), Chessman, Dark Ozz, Ozz, Dark Cuervo, Cuervo and Escoria, ending their combined reigns at 606 days in total. On December 5, 2004 ''Los Barrio Boys'' won a four-way match against The Black Family, ''Los Kumbria Kids'' and ''Los Espantapajaros'' at ''Guerra de Titanes (2004), Guerra de Titanes''.

By 2007 ''Los Barrio Boys'' feud with Gran Apache led to both Alan and Decnis turning against Billy Boy, attacking him and turning ''Rudó'' (bad guy or Heel (professional wrestling), Heel in wrestling terms). Alan and Decnis even sided with Gran Apache for a while. After a few months Decnis decided to join a group called Los Guapos, Guapos VIP, leaving Alan alone. Once the storyline with Billy Boy ended Alan turned ''tecnico'' (good guy or Face (professional wrestling), Face) and formed a new ''Barrio Boys'' group. Alan began teaming with Kevin (wrestler), Kevin, Javi and Ricky. The team only worked in opening matches and soon after Alan left the group altogether.

Gato Eveready / El Gato (2008–2011)

In 2008 Victor Soto began working as ''Gato Eveready'', a masked character sponsored by the Energizer Holdings, Eveready Battery. Originally another wrestler worked under the mask but Alan took over in the spring of 2008 and plays the character to this day, while occasionally working as Alan as well. Soto's first verified appearance as Gato Eveready came at AAA's 2008 ''Reina de Reina'' show, teaming with Aero Star, El Ángel (wrestler), El Ángel and Pegasso in a loss to Los Piratas (Pirata Morgan, Pirata Morgan, Jr. El Hijo de Pirata Morgan and Barbe Roja). As Gato Eveready Soto often teams up with members of group ''Real Fuerza Aérea'', although he has not yet officially been announced as a member of the group. On October 24, 2008 Gato Eveready was one of thirteen men participating in the annual ''Copa Antonio Peña'' tournament at the 2008 Antonio Peña Memorial Show (2008), Antonio Peña Memorial show but was eliminated by Histeria (wrestler), Histeria in the first match of the ''Copa''. In 2009 Gato Eveready has spent most of his time losing to Los Psycho Circus (Murder Clown, Monster Clown and Psycho Clown) in random six-man tag team matches or in a storyline where Exotico Pimpinela Escarlata made several advances towards him. In February 2011 Soto's ring name was simplified to El Gato, after Eveready Battery ended their sponsorship deal with AAA.

Drago (2011–present)

On April 20, 2011, Soto debuted under a new character Drago and was given a major push as a face fighting for AAA in the war against ''La Sociedad'' and ''Los Bizarros''. Drago then joined forces with La Parka II, La Parka, Dark Cuervo, Dark Espíritu and Dark Ozz to form ''El Inframundo'' ("The Underworld"). On December 16 at Guerra de Titanes (2011), Guerra de Titanes, Vampiro became the new leader of ''El Inframundo'', replacing La Parka, who had recently turned ''rudo'' and joined ''La Sociedad''. On July 19, 2013, Drago and Faby Apache defeated Halloween (wrestler), Halloween and Mari Apache for the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship. On August 11, Drago and fellow AAA worker Argenis (wrestler), Argenis made their debuts for All Japan Pro Wrestling in Tokyo, defeating Kenzo Suzuki, Kenso and Akira Raijin, Sushi in a tag team match. Even before their first match in the promotion, Drago and Argenis were named the number one contenders to the All Asia Tag Team Championship, held by Burning (professional wrestling), Burning members Atsushi Aoki and Kotaro Suzuki. In the build-up to the August 25 title match, Drago and Argenis began working against the Burning stable, defeating Aoki and Yoshinobu Kanemaru on August 14 and Suzuki and Kanemaru on August 16. On August 25, Drago and Argenis failed in their attempt to capture the All Asia Tag Team Championship from Aoki and Suzuki. On April 19, 2014, Drago and Apache lost the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship to Pentagón Jr. and Sexy Star. On June 14, Drago won AAA's 2015 ''Alas de Oro''.

Lucha Underground (2014–2018)

In August 2014, Drago was announced as one of five AAA wrestlers to star in ''Lucha Underground'', a new American television series on El Rey (TV network), El Rey. Drago debuted on the third episode on November 12, losing a three-way main event involving Pentagón Jr. and winner Fénix (wrestler), Fénix. Over the following weeks, Drago feuded with King Cuerno. On January 21, 2015, Cuerno defeated Drago in a Last Man Standing match, ending their feud. Then, he defeated Aero Star in a Best of 5 Series match. On February 21, 2015, Drago unsuccessfully challenged Ricochet (wrestler), Prince Puma for the Lucha Underground Championship after Hernandez' interference cost him the match. As a result, Drago was in storyline forced to leave Lucha Underground. Drago returned on the June 10 episode, agreeing to put his mask on the line for another shot at being allowed to remain in Lucha Underground. Drago went on to win the match, defeating Brian Cage, Cage, Shawn Hernandez, Hernandez and King Cuerno to retain his mask and become the number one contender to the Lucha Underground Championship. However, next week, Drago lost his opportunity against Mil Muertes after an interference from Hernandez. Soon after, Drago faced Hernandez and won via disqualification, before a rematch between the rivals would be announced for the upcoming Ultima Lucha event. At the first night of Ultima Lucha, Drago defeated Hernandez in a Believer's Backlash Match. At the season two ''Ultima Lucha'' on January 31, 2016, Drago, Aero Star and Fénix defeated Jack Evans (wrestler), Jack Evans, Johnny Mundo and P. J. Black to win the Lucha Underground Trios Championship. On May 7, Drago turned on Aero Star and Fénix and turning heel and took the Lucha Underground Trios Championship to form a new championship trio with Steve Pain, Pindar and Austin Matelson, Vibora.

The series was discontinued after season finale, ''Ultima Lucha Cuatro''.

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (2015–2016)

On August 28, 2015, Drago made his debut for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) by entering the Battle of Los Angeles (professional wrestling)#2015, 2015 Battle of Los Angeles tournament, losing to Pentagón Jr. in his first round match.

Chikara (2015)

Drago made his debut for another American promotion, Chikara (professional wrestling), Chikara, when he, Aero Star and Fénix entered the King of Trios#2015, 2015 King of Trios tournament as "Team AAA". They defeated the Gentleman's Club (Chuck Taylor (wrestler), Chuck Taylor, Drew Gulak and The Swamp Monster) in their first round match. The following day, Team AAA defeated the Nightmare Warriors (Frightmare (wrestler), Frightmare, Hallowicked and The Colony (professional wrestling), Silver Ant) to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. On September 6, Team AAA first defeated reigning King of Trios winners, the Devastation Corporation (Blaster McMassive, Flex Rumblecrunch and Max Smashmaster), in the semifinals and then Bullet Club (A.J. Styles, The Young Bucks, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) in the finals to win the 2015 King of Trios.

Global Force Wrestling/Impact Wrestling (2017-2018)

On July 2, 2017 Drago and El Hijo del Fantasma represented AAA at Impact Wrestling's Slammiversary XV show, the team lost to The Latin American Xchange (Ortiz and Santana), who successfully defended the Impact Wrestling World Tag Team Championship and GFW Tag Team Championship (2014–2017), GFW Tag Team Championship in a match that also included Laredo Kid/Garza Jr. and Naomichi Marufuji/Taiji Ishimori. On the July 6 episode of Impact Wrestling, Drago entered the 2017 GFW Super X Cup Tournament.`

Championships and accomplishments

*Battle Championship Wrestling Australia
**BCW Tag Team championship (1 time) – with Aero Star
*Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
**AAA Latin American Championship (AAA Latin American Championship, 1 time)
**AAA World Tag Team Championship (AAA World Tag Team Championship#Title history, 1 time) – with Aero Star
**AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship (AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship#Title history, 1 time) – with Faby Apache
**Mexican National Atómicos Championship (List of Mexican National Atómicos Champions, 2 times) – with El Ángel (wrestler), Oscar Sevilla, Decnis, and Billy Boy (wrestler), Billy Boy
**Alas de Oro (2015)
**Best Match of the Night (2017) – with Aero Star vs. DJZ and Andrew Everett
*Chikara (professional wrestling), Chikara
**King of Trios (King of Trios#2015, 2015) – with Aero Star and Fénix (wrestler), Fénix
*Lucha Underground
**Lucha Underground Trios Championship (Lucha Underground Trios Championship#Title history, 2 times) – with Aero Star and Fénix (1), and Pindar, and Austin Matelson, Vibora (1)
*''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''
**Ranked No. 121 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2017
*Promociones EMW
**EMW World Middleweight Championship (1 time)

''Luchas de Apuestas'' record

Notes

References

External links

AAA profileAJPW profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Drago
1975 births
Living people
Mexican male professional wrestlers
Professional wrestlers from Mexico City
Masked wrestlers
AAA Latin American Champions
AAA World Tag Team Champions
AAA World Mixed Tag Team Champions
Mexican National Atómicos Champions