Rito Romero
Encyclopedia
Rito Romero Loza was a successful luchador who wrestled in Mexico
and in the NWA territories of Texas
and Los Angeles
. He appeared in several films in his native country along with a number of other luchadors. He is perhaps best remembered for his innovation of the Romero Special/La Tapatia submission manoeuver, commonly known as the Surfboard.
member Diablo Velasco
, a man also responsible for the training of Mil Máscaras
and Gory Guerrero
.
His early career was spent in Mexico, making his debut in Guadalajara at aged just 15, having been in training for the previous 3 years.
He began finding title success upon becoming a regular in NWA Texas (which would become World Class Championship Wrestling
. With tag-team partner Miguel "Black" Guzmán (brother of El Santo
) he would win the NWA Texas Tag Team titles 3 times, winning the same belts a further 5 times with different partners. He would also co-hold the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version)
twice (the belts being recognised as World Championships by WCCW and Dory Funk
's Amarillo territory). As a singles competitor he had the distinction of being the inaugural NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Champion of the Los Angeles
territory in 1953 as well as being a two-time NWA Texas Jr. Heavyweight Title back in the region in which he remained a perennial star. He became NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion twice, on the second occasion winning the title from Verne Gagne
on 27 October 1950. In between his first title reign in 1949 and his retirement there was only one year (1960) during which Rito Romero did not enjoy at least some time with a championship.
During his career he became friends with the legendary Lou Thesz
(against whom he had his biggest match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
at a time when he was NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion) and travelled Europe with him. Thesz esteemed Romero so highly as to rate him as a better performer than his contemporaries El Canek
and Gory Guerrero
.
on January 18, 2001. He had gone into hospital in his hometown of Guadalajara on the 16th with high blood-sugar levels where it was discovered he was suffering from appendicitis
. Bored of being in hospital he decided to check himself out on the 18th. While remonstrating with the hospital workers who were trying to make him return to his bed he collapsed.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and in the NWA territories of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. He appeared in several films in his native country along with a number of other luchadors. He is perhaps best remembered for his innovation of the Romero Special/La Tapatia submission manoeuver, commonly known as the Surfboard.
Career
Romero was trained as a luchador by Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of FameWrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is a professional wrestling hall of fame that recognizes people who make significant contributions to the sport. It was founded in 1996 by Dave Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame is not...
member Diablo Velasco
Diablo Velasco
Cuahutémoc Velasco Vargas was a professional wrestler and trainer of other wrestlers under the name Diablo Velasco. Velasco trained many famous Mexican wrestlers, including Gory Guerrero, Perro Aguayo, Essa Rios, and Mil Máscaras...
, a man also responsible for the training of Mil Máscaras
Mil Máscaras
Aaron Rodríguez , best known as Mil Máscaras , is a semi-retired Mexican professional wrestler and actor, who has starred in several films with fellow luchadores...
and Gory Guerrero
Gory Guerrero
Salvador Guerrero Quesada , better known as Gory Guerrero, was one of the premier Hispanic professional wrestlers in the early days of Lucha Libre when most wrestlers were imported from outside of Mexico. He wrestled primarily in Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre between the 1940s and 1960s...
.
His early career was spent in Mexico, making his debut in Guadalajara at aged just 15, having been in training for the previous 3 years.
He began finding title success upon becoming a regular in NWA Texas (which would become World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling
World Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
. With tag-team partner Miguel "Black" Guzmán (brother of El Santo
Santo
Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta , more widely known as El Santo , was a Mexican Luchador enmascarado , film actor, and folk icon....
) he would win the NWA Texas Tag Team titles 3 times, winning the same belts a further 5 times with different partners. He would also co-hold the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version)
NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version)
The Texas version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1957 to 1968, and from 1981 to 1982. This title was recognized by World Class Championship Wrestling and The Funk Dynasty's N.W.A. Western States Sports of Amarillo, TX.-Title history:...
twice (the belts being recognised as World Championships by WCCW and Dory Funk
Dory Funk
Dorrance Wilhelm "Dory" Funk was a professional wrestler. He is the father of wrestlers Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk.-Career:...
's Amarillo territory). As a singles competitor he had the distinction of being the inaugural NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Champion of the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
territory in 1953 as well as being a two-time NWA Texas Jr. Heavyweight Title back in the region in which he remained a perennial star. He became NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion twice, on the second occasion winning the title from Verne Gagne
Verne Gagne
Laverne Clarence "Verne" Gagne , is a retired American professional wrestler, football player, and professional wrestling trainer and promoter. He was the former owner/promoter of the American Wrestling Association , based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which was the predominant promotion throughout...
on 27 October 1950. In between his first title reign in 1949 and his retirement there was only one year (1960) during which Rito Romero did not enjoy at least some time with a championship.
During his career he became friends with the legendary Lou Thesz
Lou Thesz
Aloysius Martin "Lou" Thesz was a United States professional wrestler and 18-time world heavyweight champion, most notably holding the NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times. Combined, he held the NWA Championship for 10 years, three months and nine days , longer than anyone else in history...
(against whom he had his biggest match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
NWA World Heavyweight Championship
The National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in the National Wrestling Alliance. Its lineage has been traced from the first World Heavyweight Championship, which traces its lineage to Georg Hackenschmidt's 1905 title and...
at a time when he was NWA Texas Heavyweight Champion) and travelled Europe with him. Thesz esteemed Romero so highly as to rate him as a better performer than his contemporaries El Canek
El Canek
Felipe Estrada , known as Canek and El Canek, is a masked Mexican professional wrestler and former Mixed Martial Arts fighter currently performing part time for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. In 1972, he debuted as "El Universitario" at the age of 18. In 1973, he would change his name to Canek, a...
and Gory Guerrero
Gory Guerrero
Salvador Guerrero Quesada , better known as Gory Guerrero, was one of the premier Hispanic professional wrestlers in the early days of Lucha Libre when most wrestlers were imported from outside of Mexico. He wrestled primarily in Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre between the 1940s and 1960s...
.
Personal life
Romero was married to Yolanda and had 4 children: Diana, Sandy, Yolanda Verónica and Rito Alberto, none of whom became involved in professional wrestling.Death
Rito Romero suffered a fatal heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
on January 18, 2001. He had gone into hospital in his hometown of Guadalajara on the 16th with high blood-sugar levels where it was discovered he was suffering from appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
. Bored of being in hospital he decided to check himself out on the 18th. While remonstrating with the hospital workers who were trying to make him return to his bed he collapsed.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Romero Special/La Tapatia (Surfboard) – innovated
Championships and accomplishments
- NWA Los AngelesNational Wrestling AllianceThe National Wrestling Alliance is a wrestling promotion company and sanctions various NWA championships in the United States. The NWA has been in operation since 1948...
- NWA International Television Tag Team ChampionshipWWA International Television Tag Team ChampionshipThe WWA International Television Tag Team Championship was the tag team title in the Los Angeles-based World Wrestling Association from the promotion's formation in 1954 until 1964 when it was unified with the WWA World Tag Team Championship. -Title history:...
(1 time) - with Chief War Cloud - NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Championship (Los Angeles version) (1 time)
- Southwest Sports, Inc.World Class Championship WrestlingWorld Class Championship Wrestling ' was a regional professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Originally owned by promoter Ed McLemore, by 1966 it was run by Southwest Sports, Inc., whose president, Jack Adkisson, was better known as wrestler Fritz Von Erich...
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) (1 time)
- NWA Texas Heavyweight ChampionshipNWA Texas Heavyweight ChampionshipThe NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling title that has existed since the 1930s. Though its exact date of creation isn't known, it is among the oldest championships used in professional wrestling today...
(2 times) - NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- NWA Texas Tag Team ChampionshipWCWA Texas Tag Team ChampionshipThe WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship was the secondary tag team championship in World Class Championship Wrestling, originally known as the NWA Texas Tag-Team title until 1981 where they were abandoned. The titles were brought back in 1987 as the WCWA Texas Tag-Team titles but once the WCWA joined...
(7 times) – with Miguel "Black" GuzmánBlack GuzmánMiguel Wenceslao Guzmán Huerta was a Mexican professional wrestler, or Luchador as they are known in Spanish, who worked under the ring name Miguel Guzmán and Black Guzmán, a nickname he had earned due to his dark skin.Guzmán was the brother of Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta, better known as the wrestling...
(3), Sugi SitoSugi SitoFrancisco Javier Mar Hernández was a Mexican professional wrestler known as Sugi Sito, nicknamed El Orgullo de Oriente . He was born in León, Guanajuato to a Mexican father and Chinese mother...
(1), George Drake (1), Pepe Mendietta (1), and Pepper Gomez (1) - NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version)NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version)The Texas version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship existed from 1957 to 1968, and from 1981 to 1982. This title was recognized by World Class Championship Wrestling and The Funk Dynasty's N.W.A. Western States Sports of Amarillo, TX.-Title history:...
(2 times) – with Dory DixonDory DixonDorrel "Dory" Dixon is a retired Jamaican professional wrestler who worked for the majority of his career in Mexico, where he eventually became a Mexican citizen...
(1) and Pepper Gomez (1)
Filmography
- La Bestia magnifica (1953)
- La Última lucha (1959)
- El Señor Tormenta (1963)
- Atacan las brujas (1968)