Salvador Munguia
[ (born November 30 in ]Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Mexico, largest city of Mexico, as well as the List of North American cities by population, most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and finan ...
) is a Mexican ''luchador
''Lucha libre'' (, meaning "freestyle wrestling" or literally translated as "free fight") is the term for the style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has develope ...
'', or professional wrestler
Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...
retired, currently working for the Mexican 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. Within ...
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Co., Ltd. (CMLL; , "World Wrestling Council") is a ''lucha libre'' professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City. The promotion was previously known as (EMLL) (''Mexican Wrestling Enterprise''). Founded in 1933, it is the oldest profe ...
(CMLL) portraying a '' tecnico'' ("Good guy") wrestling character Metálico. Metálico originally worked under a mask
A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance, or entertainment, and often employed for rituals and rites. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes, ...
and his real name was not a matter of public record, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the wrestling fans, but he was forced to unmask after losing a match in August 2014.
Professional wrestling career
Munguia trained under Toño Aguirre and Tigre de Oro before making his debut in 1994 under the ring name "Tigre Metálico" ("Metallic Tiger"), as an homage to his teacher Tigre de Oro. Over the years Tigre Metalico worked on the Mexican independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit (often shortened to the indie circuit or the indies) is the collective name of independently owned promotions which are deemed to be smaller and more regionalized than major national promotions. ...
and did a stint as a regular for International Wrestling Revolution Group
International Wrestling Revolution Group (Grupo Internacional Revolución in Spanish language, Spanish; the Spanish name is used for the promotion while the English initials are used for the title governing body) is a Lucha Libre professional wres ...
(IWRG).
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (2004–present)
In 2004 Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Co., Ltd. (CMLL; , "World Wrestling Council") is a ''lucha libre'' professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City. The promotion was previously known as (EMLL) (''Mexican Wrestling Enterprise''). Founded in 1933, it is the oldest profe ...
(CMLL) created the ''Guapos University'' ("Hansome University"), or ''Guapos U'', a storyline mimicking realities shows such as the WWE Tough Enough
''WWE Tough Enough'' is an American professional wrestling reality competition series that was produced by WWE, wherein participants undergo professional wrestling training and compete for a contract with WWE. There were two winners per season ...
show, searching for a new member to join Shocker, Máscara Mágica and El Terrible
Damián Gutiérrez Hernández (born April 12, 1976), better known by his ring name El Terrible, is a Mexican professional wrestler who works for the Mexican wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). He portrays a ''rudo'' ("bad ...
as part of ''Los Guapos''. The contestants included, among others, Tigre Metálico who became a regular worker for CMLL at this point. The group participated in a series of matches as they tried to determine a winner, including a tournament of Guapos U only contestants vying for a match for the Mexican National Trios Championship
The Mexican National Trios Championship (''Campeonato Nacional de Tríos'' in Spanish) is a three-man tag team professional wrestling championship, sanctioned by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." (''Mexico City Boxing and Wrestl ...
. The tournament was won by Misterioso Jr.
José Luís Hurtado Soto also known as Misterioso Jr. (Birthdate unknown) is a Mexican '' luchador enmascarado'', or masked professional wrestler, who is also referred to as Misterioso II. Misterioso Jr. is the nephew of Misterioso who wore a s ...
, Brazo de Oro Jr. and El Texano Jr. although they were unable to win the title. During one of CMLL's shows El Terrible turned on the group and was joined by Último Guerrero
José Gutiérrez Hernández (born March 1, 1972), better known by his ring name Último Guerrero (Spanish for ''Last Warrior''), is a Mexican (or Professional wrestling, professional wrestler), who works for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CML ...
in the attack on ''Los Guapos''.Sangre Azteca
Sangre Azteca (Spanish for "Aztec Blood") (born October 5, 1975) is a Mexican '' luchador enmascarado'', or masked professional wrestler is primarily known for his work for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). Sangre Azteca's real name is not ...
and El Koreano prevented the rest of the ''Guapos U'' class in making the save, leading to the two them being kicked out of the group. Guerrero immediately took both Sangre Azteca and Koreano under his win, forming ''Pandilla Guerrera
''Los Guerreros Tuareg'' (Spanish for "The Tuareg Warriors") was a Mexican professional wrestling group, called a stable that worked for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) as a ''rudo'' (term used for wrestlers who portray the "Bad guys") facti ...
'' ("Gang of Warriors"), a mid-card group associated with Último Guerrero's ''Los Guerreros del Infierno
''Los Guerreros Laguneros'' (Spanish for "The Warriors from the Lagoon") is a ''lucha libre'' stable based in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). The stable was created in 2001 and has, since its inception, been led by Último Guerrero and has ...
'' group. The tournament ended with Alan Stone winning the tournament. Tigre Metalico participated in the first ever '' Reyes del Aire'' ("Kings of the Air") tournament but did not win as he was the third man eliminated over-all. He began teaming with Tigre Blanco
Sergio Guzmán Silva () is a Mexican ''Lucha libre, Luchador'', or professional wrestling, professional wrestler, who has worked for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) for most of his professional ...
on a regular basis and at times even joined up with Rey Tigre to form the Trio ''Los Tigres del Ring'' ("The Tigers of the Ring").
Metálico (2007–2019)
Tigre Metálico had his ring character changed in June, 2007 becoming simply "Metálico", removing any reference to the Tiger character, including a redesign of his 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 Mexi ...
. The repackaged Metálico participated in the 2007 '' Reyes del Aire'' tournament, but this time was the first person eliminated from the tournament. In June 2008 Metálico teamed up with Metalik
Metalik (born November 3, 1988) is the ring name of a Mexican ''luchador'' '' enmascarado'' (masked professional wrestler) currently working for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and on the independent circuit. He also p ...
to enter a tournament to determine the new CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Champions. The Metallic themed tag team
Tag team wrestling is a type of professional wrestling in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. Tag teams may be made up of wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of establis ...
defeated '' Los Hombres del Camoflaje'' (Artillero and Súper Comando) but lost to ''Los Infernales
''Los Infernales'' (Spanish for "the Infernals") 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 Espect ...
'' ( Euforia and Nosferatu
''Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror'' () is a 1922 silent film, silent German Expressionism (cinema), German Expressionist vampire film directed by F. W. Murnau from a screenplay by Henrik Galeen. It stars Max Schreck as Count Orlok, a vampire who ...
) in the quarter-final round. Metálico was one of the select few CMLL wrestlers to go on a tour of Spain
Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
in 2008. Metálico suffered a leg injury during a match, where he ended landing on one of the ringside seats during a miscalculated move. The injury required surgery and several months away from the ring to recuperate. In late 2010 Metálico teamed up with Starman to compete in a tournament where the winners would get a match for the CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship, but the team was defeated by '' Los Cancerberos del Infierno'' (Cancerbero
Daniel Nuñez Hernandez (born June 11, 1977), better known by his ring name Cancerbero, is a Mexican '' luchador'' (or professional wrestler), working for the Mexican wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). Cancerbero is a membe ...
and Raziel
Raziel, ( ''Rāzīʾēl,'' "God is my Mystery") also known as Gallitsur ( Hebrew: גַּלִּיצוּר ''Gallīṣūr'') is an angel within the teachings of Jewish mysticism (of the Kabbalah of Judaism) who is the "Angel of Secrets" and the "An ...
) in the opening round. Metálico suffered a second, serious leg injury in July 2012, working opposite Bobby Zavala when he landed wrong during the execution of a move and broke his leg during the match. He had to be taken to the hospital where his leg was reset.
He would not return to in-ring action until September, 2012. In the spring of 2013 Metálico became involved in a storyline feud against young ''rudo'' El Hijo del Signo
Marco Antonio Sánchez Rodríguez (born April 30, 1987) better known by his ring name El Hijo del Signo or Signo Jr., is a Mexican professional wrestler currently working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Li ...
, that saw Hijo del Signo cheat more than once to defeat the veteran Metálico. The two found themselves on opposites sides of a match at the Arena Coliseo 70th Anniversary Show on April 7, 2013 with Metálico teaming up with Hombre Bala Jr. and Super Halcón Jr. while El Hijo del Signo teamed up with Nosferatu
''Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror'' () is a 1922 silent film, silent German Expressionism (cinema), German Expressionist vampire film directed by F. W. Murnau from a screenplay by Henrik Galeen. It stars Max Schreck as Count Orlok, a vampire who ...
and Taurus
Taurus is Latin for 'bull' and may refer to:
* Taurus (astrology), the astrological sign
** Vṛṣabha, in vedic astrology
* Taurus (constellation), one of the constellations of the zodiac
* Taurus (mythology), one of two Greek mythological ch ...
. The storyline between Hijo del Signo and Metálico took center stage during the match as most of the action centered around the two. In the second fall Hijo del Signo pulled Metálico's mask off, hoping to use the distraction to gain a pinfall, but instead he was disqualified when the referee saw the blatant rulebreaking by El Hijo del Signo. The storyline between the two was featured on a number of other shows throughout March and April, including a one-on-one match on CMLL's '' Super Viernes'' show, their main weekly show and an indicator that CMLL is escalating the storyline between the two. At the Arena Mexico 57th Anniversary Show Hijo del Signo teamed up with ''Los Guerreros Tuareg
''Los Guerreros Tuareg'' (Spanish for "The Tuareg Warriors") was a Mexican professional wrestling group, called a stable that worked for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) as a ''rudo'' (term used for wrestlers who portray the "Bad guys") facti ...
'' (Arkangel de la Muerte Arkangel can refer to:
* ''Arkangel'' (magazine), an animal liberation magazine
* "Arkangel" (''Black Mirror''), an episode of anthology series ''Black Mirror''
* '' Ark Angel'', a book in the ''Alex Rider'' series by Anthony Horowitz
* Arkhange ...
and Skándalo
Skándalo (born January 7, 1982, in Mexico City, Mexico) is a Mexican ''luchador enmascarado'', or masked professional wrestler currently working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) portraying a ...
) to defeat Metálico, Sensei
The term "先生", read in Chinese, in Japanese, in Korean, and in Vietnamese, is an honorific used in the Sinosphere. In Japanese, the term literally means "person born before another" or "one who comes before". It is generally used ...
and Soberano Jr. with El Hijo del Signo scoring the deciding pinfall on Metálico.
The storyline with Hijo del Signo was dropped over the summer of 2013 with no explanation of why it was ended. On March 24, 2014, Metálico was one of 16 men competing for a spot in the 2014 ''En Busca de un Ídolo
EN or En or en may refer to:
Businesses
* Bouygues (stock symbol EN)
* Island Rail Corridor, formerly known as the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway (reporting mark EN)
* Euronews, a news television and internet channel
Language and writing
* N, 14t ...
'' ("In Search of an Idol") tournament. During the ''torneo cibernetico
A ''torneo cibernetico'' is a multi-man professional wrestling elimination match that was created and primarily used in Mexican ''lucha libre'' professional wrestling promotions, especially in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). The match format ...
'' elimination match Oro Jr. dove onto Metálico and landed poorly, hurting Metálico in the process. When Metálico returned from his injury a month later he teamed up with Oro Jr., during which he began to argue with Oro Jr. after a move went wrong once again. The following week Metálico turned ''Rudo'' for the first time in his career as he attacked Oro Jr. at the end of a match against Canelo Casas
Canelo Casas (born 1982 in Mexico City, Mexico, currently residing in Cuernavaca, Morelos) is the ring name of a Mexican ''luchador'', or professional wrestler currently working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial d ...
, Disturbio
Disturbio (born March 30, 1979) is the ring name of Israel Aguilar Alvarez, a Mexico, Mexican ''Lucha libre, luchador'', or professional wrestling, professional wrestler working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de L ...
and El Rebelde. After the match Metálico stated that he blamed Oro Jr. for the shoulder injury that kept him out of the ring. In subsequent weeks the two faced off on multiple occasions, often with Metálico stealing Oro Jr.'s mask. On August 4, following another trios match with Oro and Metálico CMLL announced that the two would face off in a ''Lucha de Apuestas
''Lucha libre'' (, meaning "freestyle wrestling" or literally translated as "free fight") is the term for the style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has develope ...
'' ("Bet match") on August 10, where both wrestlers will bet their wrestling masks on the outcome of the match. On August 10, Metálico was defeated by Oro Jr. in the ''Lucha de Apuestas'' match, forcing him to unmask and reveal his real name, Salvador Munguia and how long he had been a wrestler, 22 years.
Following his mask loss Metálico adopted a new ring persona, taking the nickname ''El Pedro Infante de Lucha Libre'' (The Pedro Infante
Pedro Infante Cruz (; 18 November 1917 – 15 April 1957) was a Mexican ranchera singer and actor whose career spanned the golden age of Mexican cinema.
Infante was born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, and raised in nearby Guamúchil. He died on 15 Apri ...
of wrestling), inspired by the Mexican movie legend of the 1940s and 50s. Metálico grew a thin mustache, styled his hair like Infante and began singing and dancing in the ring prior to his matches, in the style of Pedro Infante. Over the summer of 2015 Metálico started a quick feud with the ''tecnico'' Leono
Leono (born September 18, 1982 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico) is a Mexican ''luchador'', or professional wrestler currently working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) portraying a '' tecnico'' ...
that led to a ''Lucha de Apuestas'' between the two being announced, only to be quietly dropped a few days later. Instead Metálico shifted his attention to Omar Brunetti, feuding with him as part of CMLL's weekly shows on Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara ( ; ) is the capital and the most populous city in the western Mexican List of states of Mexico, state of Jalisco, as well as the most densely populated municipality in Jalisco. According to the 2020 census, the city has a population ...
. The storyline led to the two facing off in a ''Lucha de Apuestas'' match on September 15 which Metálico won, forcing his opponent to have his hair shaved off as a result. Metálico lost a career vs career match to Virus
A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living Cell (biology), cells of an organism. Viruses infect all life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea. Viruses are ...
on May 31, 2019, as part of CMLL's '' Juicio Final'' show, it was hinted afterward that he may become a referee.[
]
Championships and accomplishments
*''Pro Wrestling Illustrated
''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The maga ...
''
** Ranked No. 363 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''PWI 500
''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The maga ...
'' in 2006
''Luchas de Apuestas'' record
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Metalico
Year of birth missing (living people)
Mexican male professional wrestlers
Living people
Masked wrestlers
Professional wrestlers from Mexico City