Simon Musk (born 7 January 1985) is an English professional wrestler better known under his in-ring persona of
masked Mexican
luchador
Lucha libre (, meaning "freestyle wrestling" or literally translated as "free fight") is the term used in Latin America for professional wrestling. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has developed into a unique form ...
, El Ligero (or simply Ligero). He is most known for his time in
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vario ...
, on their
NXT UK
''NXT UK'' is a professional wrestling television programme that was produced exclusively in the United Kingdom by the American promotion WWE. It aired on BT Sport and 5Action (previously known as Paramount Network). In the United States, th ...
brand.
Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit (2002–2018)
El Ligero has been a professional wrestler since February 2002.
In 2010, El Ligero appeared for
Insane Championship Wrestling
Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) is a professional wrestling promotion based in Glasgow, Scotland, founded by Mark Dallas in 2006. It mixes elements of traditional sports entertainment with hardcore wrestling; thus admittance is restricted to ...
, entering a tournament to become the inaugural
ICW Zero-G Champion but was unsuccessful.
On 20 October 2016, it was announced that Ligero would take part at the taping of the British
professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling that has little relationship to the rules of the amateur olympic form. "Promotion" also describes a role which entails man ...
World of Sport Wrestling
''World of Sport Wrestling'' (frequently shortened to ''WOS Wrestling'') was a British professional wrestling television series and occasional professional wrestling promotion, promotion. It was promoted as a re-launch of the popular wrestling ...
. He only made one appearance for World of Sport, on the inaugural show on 1 November 2016, where he won a singles match against
Zack Gibson
Jack Rea (born 8 August 1990) is an English professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Rip Fowler. He is also known for his work as Zack Gibson on the UK independent circuit. H ...
and later that night competed in a battle royal.
Pro Wrestling Noah (2008)
On 21 June 2008, El Ligero took part in an exclusive British six-man tag team match, on the pre-show of
Pro Wrestling Noah
(stylised as Pro Wrestling NOAH) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2000 by former All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) ace Mitsuharu Misawa after he had led a mass exodus in which 24 of AJPW's 26 contracted wrestlers left the ...
's UK event at the Coventry Skydome. The team of Hubba-Bubba Lucha (El Ligero and
Bubblegum
Bubble gum or bubblegum is a type of chewing gum, designed to be inflated out of the mouth as a bubble.
Bubble gum flavor
While there is a bubble gum "flavor" – which various artificial flavorings including esters are mixed to obtain – it ...
) along with Luke "Dragon" Phoenix defeated
Zack Sabre Jr.
Lucas Eatwell (born 24 July 1987), better known by his ring name Zack Sabre Jr. (Katakana: ザック・セイバーJr, ''Zakku Seibā Jr.''), is an English professional wrestler. He is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Outsid ...
, Dave Moralez and
Mark Haskins
Mark Haskins (born 25 June 1988), is an English professional wrestler currently signed with Ring of Honor. He is known internationally for his time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as well as his appearances in Progress Wrestling, Revolution ...
.
Preston City Wrestling (2011–2016)
In August 2011, Ligero appeared on the inaugural
Preston City Wrestling
Pro Championship Wrestling (PCW UK) is a British owned independent professional wrestling promotion established as Preston City Wrestling in 2011. It was re-branded as Pro Championship Wrestling in 2020, and is still stylised as PCW. PCW runs t ...
(PCW) card, beating Prince Ameen in a first round match in the PCW title tournament. Later that night, a storyline injury caused by Lionheart and
Noam Dar
Noam Dar (; born 28 July 1993) is an Israeli-Scottish professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, and is a record setting two-time NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion. He also wrestles for Scottish promotion Insane Championship Wrestling (I ...
took him out of the second show and the rest of the tournament, his place being taken by
Kris Travis
Kris Travis (16 December 1983 – 31 March 2016) was a British professional wrestler. He was a staple of the UK and European independent wrestling scenes, working for companies such as PROGRESS Wrestling, Insane Championship Wrestling, Preston ...
. Ligero would continue to make appearances in PCW over the next several years. His run there included a singles match against future WWE star
Akira Tozawa
Akira Tozawa (戸澤 陽, ''Tozawa Akira'', born July 22, 1985) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand. He is a former WWE Cruiserweight Champion and WWE 24/7 Champion, winning the ...
on 2 June 2012, which Ligero won.
On 31 October 2015 at Fright Night 4, Ligero defeated Bubblegum for the PCW Cruiserweight title. He lost the belt a month later on 27 November 2015 at Supershow of Honor 2 – Show 1 to
Adam Cole
Austin Kirk Jenkins (born July 5, 1989) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under the ring name Adam Cole. He is also known for his tenures with WWE and Ring of Honor (ROH).
C ...
in an elimination 3-way match which also featured Bubblegum. He subsequently failed to regain the title from Bubblegum in a four way dance also including
Danny Hope
Charles Daniel Hope (born January 7, 1959) is an American football coach and former player. He served as the head football coach at Eastern Kentucky University from 2003 to 2007, and Purdue University from 2009 to 2012, compiling a career colle ...
and
Joey Hayes
Joseph Hayes (born 4 January 1976) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for St. Helens ( Heritage No. 1058), Salford and Old ...
, and left the promotion shortly afterwards.
Progress Wrestling (2012–2019)
Ligero appeared on the debut show for England-based promotion
Progress Wrestling
Progress Wrestling (stylized as PROGRESS) is a British professional wrestling promotion that was established in 2011 by comedian Jim Smallman, events and comedy promoter Jon Briley, and later, actor Glen Robinson (professionally known as Glen ...
and spent the first four events pursuing the
Progress Champion, Nathan Cruz. Ligero eventually won the title at Chapter Four: the Ballad of El Ligero in November 2012.
He dropped the title to Rampage Brown at Chapter Eight and disappeared from the promotion. He would make sporadic returns through 2019.
WWE (2018–2020)
On 16 May 2018 it was revealed that El Ligero, wrestling under the ring name Ligero, would be one of 16 men competing in a one-night tournament to face
Pete Dunne
Peter Thomas England (born 9 November 1993) is an English Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown (WWE brand), SmackDown WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Butc ...
for the
WWE United Kingdom Championship
The NXT United Kingdom Championship was a men's professional wrestling championship that was created and promoted by the American promotion WWE. It was primarily defended as the top championship of the NXT UK brand division, a sister brand of WW ...
. He would lose to Travis Banks in the first round. Over Instagram, Ligero revealed he signed a UK deal with WWE. On 24 October edition of NXT UK, he would take on "Wild Boar" Mike Hitchman in a winning effort. At the January 2019 tapings, he won both his matches, one of which was against Mark Andrews. At the February tapings Ligero defeated Joseph Conners. At the
WWE Worlds Collide
WWE Worlds Collide, also known as NXT Worlds Collide, is a professional wrestling event series produced by WWE, an American-based professional wrestling promotion. Established in 2019, the concept is interbrand competition between WWE's various ...
that was filmed over
WrestleMania 35
WrestleMania 35 was the 35th annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw, SmackDown, and 205 Live brand divisions. The event took place ...
weekend, he defeated NXT's
Albert Hardie Jr. and
205 Live's
Gran Metalik
Máscara Dorada (born August 24, 1988) is the ring name of a Mexican '' luchador'' '' enmascarado'' (masked professional wrestler) currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). He is best known for his time in WWE where he perfo ...
in a triple threat match. On 14 May, he debuted on the Cruiserweight brand 205 Live, in a match against
WWE Cruiserweight Champion
The NXT Cruiserweight Championship was a professional wrestling championship that was created and promoted by the American promotion WWE. Before its retirement, it was defended across the NXT, NXT UK, and 205 Live brand divisions, which were ...
Tony Nese
Anthony Nese (born August 6, 1985) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling. He is best known for his time in WWE, where he is a former one-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion.
Professional wrestling career
Ind ...
. He would lose the match, and be attacked by Nese's rival
Ariya Daivari
Ariya Daivari ( fa, آریا داوری; born April 11, 1989) is an Iranian-American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Ari Daivari. He is best known for his time in WWE, Ring of Honor (ROH) ...
after the match.
Sexual assault allegations
As part of the
Speaking Out movement
The Speaking Out movement is a social movement against emotional, physical and sexual abuse in the professional wrestling industry, where people publicize their allegations of misconduct committed by powerful and/or prominent individuals. Similar ...
, Ligero was accused of indecent assault, sending inappropriate messages, and engaging in inappropriate conduct. While he denied the indecent assault allegation, he admitted that he did send inappropriate messages and engaged in inappropriate conduct. Following the allegations, Ligero would be released by Progress Wrestling and WWE.
Championships and accomplishments
*3 Count Wrestling
**3CW Triple Crown Championship (2 times)
*
4 Front Wrestling
**4 Front Wrestling Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*Anglian Championship Wrestling
**ACW Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*
Attack! Pro Wrestling
Attack Pro Wrestling (stylized as ATTACK! Pro Wrestling) is a British professional wrestling promotion owned and operated by wrestler Mark Andrews
Although ATTACK was originally established in 2011 by wrestler Pete Dunne and ring announcer Jim ...
**Kris Travis Tag Team Invitational 2017 Tournament – with Martin Kirby
*British Hybrid Wrestling
**BHW Championship (1 time)
*British Real Attitude Wrestling League
**BRAWL Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)
*Frontier Championship Wrestling
**FCW Championship (1 time)
*Gerry Norton Promotions
**GNP Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Cameron Kraze
*Grand Pro Wrestling
**GPW British Championship (1 time)
**Crazy Cruiser 8 (2013)
*HOPE Wrestling
**HOPE Kings Of Flight Championship (3 times)
*Infinite Promotions
**Infinite Promotions Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with
Bubblegum
Bubble gum or bubblegum is a type of chewing gum, designed to be inflated out of the mouth as a bubble.
Bubble gum flavor
While there is a bubble gum "flavor" – which various artificial flavorings including esters are mixed to obtain – it ...
**Infinite Promotions Tag Team Championship Tournament (2014) – with Bubblegum
*New Breed Wrestling Association
**NBWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*
New Generation Wrestling
New Generation Wrestling (NGW) is a currently active British professional wrestling promotion based in Hull, founded by Luke Ingamells in 2008. Its next show is Eternal Glory at Hull City Hall.
NGW is featured regularly on Challenge TV's Wres ...
**NGW Undisputed Championship (1 time)
**NGW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Dara Diablo
**NGW Tag Team Championship Tournament (2011) – with Dara Diablo
**Winner of the Goole Trophy (1 time)
*North East Wrestling Society
**NEWS British Championship (1 time)
**NEWS British Championship Tournament
*Northern Wrestling League
**NWL Elite Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bubblegum
*Norton British Wrestling
**NBW Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)
*
One Pro Wrestling
One Pro Wrestling (abbreviated as 1PW) is a British professional wrestling promotion. 1PW was founded in 2005 by Steven Gauntley. Originally run by the now defunct retail chain 1 Up Games, the company's headquarters were located in Doncaster
T ...
**
1PW Tag Team Championship (
1 time) – with Bubblegum
*Premier British Wrestling
**PBW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**King of Cruisers (2010)
*
Preston City Wrestling
Pro Championship Wrestling (PCW UK) is a British owned independent professional wrestling promotion established as Preston City Wrestling in 2011. It was re-branded as Pro Championship Wrestling in 2020, and is still stylised as PCW. PCW runs t ...
**PCW Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)
*Phoenix Pro Wrestling
**PPW Championship (1 time)
**PPW Championship Tournament (2011)
*Power Trip Wrestling
**PTW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
*
Progress Wrestling
Progress Wrestling (stylized as PROGRESS) is a British professional wrestling promotion that was established in 2011 by comedian Jim Smallman, events and comedy promoter Jon Briley, and later, actor Glen Robinson (professionally known as Glen ...
**
Progress Championship
Progress Wrestling (stylized as PROGRESS) is a British professional wrestling promotion that was established in 2011 by comedian Jim Smallman, events and comedy promoter Jon Briley, and later, actor Glen Robinson (professionally known as Glen ...
(1 time)
**
Progress Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Nathan Cruz, Danny Garnell & Damon Moser (1) and Nathan Cruz (1)
*Pro Wrestling Chaos
**Knights Of Chaos Championship (1 time) – with Martin Kirby
*''
Pro Wrestling Illustrated
''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American internationally sold professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publish ...
''
**Ranked No. 235 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the
PWI 500
''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American internationally sold professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publi ...
in 2018
*Real Deal Wrestling
**RDW European Championship (1 time)
**RDW Lightweight Championship (1 time)
**RDW Lincolnshire Regional Championship (1 time)
**RDW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Martin Kirby
**Blitz League (2008)
**Money in the Bank (2008)
*SAS Wrestling
**SAS Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bubblegum
*Southside Wrestling Entertainment
**SWE Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**SWE Speed King Championship (1 time)
**SWE Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with
Joseph Conners
Joseph Conners (born 28 May 1987) is an English professional wrestler. Conners competed in many British wrestling promotions, most notably New Generation Wrestling (NGW) and What Culture Pro Wrestling (WCPW), where he was a one-time WCPW Champ ...
**Speed King (2015)
*Swiss Wrestling Entertainment
**SWE Championship (1 time)
*Tidal Championship Wrestling
**TCW Championship (2 times)
*Triple X Wrestling
**TWX Ax Championship (1 time)
**TWX Crush Championship (1 time)
*
What Culture Pro Wrestling
**WCPW Internet Championship (1 time, inaugural)
**Magnificent 7 (2017) Briefecase
1
*WrestlingKULT
**International Cult Cup Championship (1 time)
*
X Wrestling Alliance
**
XWA Flyweight Championship (
3 times)
1Defeated Martin Kirby at Build to Destroy (2017) to win the Magnificent 7 (2017) Briefcase.
Luchas de Apuestas record
References
External links
*
An Exclusive Interview with 'Mexican Dragon' El Ligero*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ligero, El
1985 births
21st-century professional wrestlers
English male professional wrestlers
Living people
Masked wrestlers
Martial artists from Leeds
PROGRESS World Champions
PROGRESS Tag Team Champions