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{{short description|Mexican professional wrestler}}
{{Infobox Wrestler
{{family name hatnote|Rodríguez|Arellano|lang=Spanish}}
|name=Mil Máscaras
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|image = Mil Mascaras 1.jpg
|name = Mil Máscaras
|names='''Mil Máscaras''' (''A Thousand Masks'' / ''Man of a Thousand Masks'')
|image = Mil Máscaras, circa 1983.jpg
|height= {{height|m=1.80}}
|caption = Máscaras in 1983
|weight= {{convert|111|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|birthname = Aarón Rodríguez Arellano
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1942|7|15|mf=y}}
|family = [[Dos Caras]] (brother)<br />Sicodélico (brother)<br />[[Alberto Del Rio]] (nephew)<br />[[El Hijo de Dos Caras]] (nephew)<br />[[Sicodelico Jr.]] (nephew)<br />Hijo de Sicodelico (nephew)
|death_date =
|names = '''Mil Máscaras'''
|birth_place = [[San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí]], [[Mexico]]
|height = 5 ft 11 in<ref name=wwe/>
|resides=
|weight = 245 lb<ref name=wwe/>
|billed=
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1942|7|15|mf=y}}
|trainer=[[Diablo Velasco]]
|birth_place = [[San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí]], Mexico
|debut=April 1965
|trainer = [[Diablo Velasco]]<ref name=DiabloTrainer>{{cite book|author=Madigan, Dan|title=Mondo Lucha A Go-Go: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling|publisher=HarperCollins Publisher|year=2007|chapter=Dorada de lucha libre: Las Leyendas, las peleas, los fósforos del resentimiento (the golden age of lucha libre: the legends, the feuds, the grudge matches): Diablo Velasco|pages=203–205|isbn=978-0-06-085583-3}}</ref><br />José Hérmes
|retired=
|debut = {{start date|1963|07|20}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=126&page=4&year=1963&promotion=55|title=Matches « Mil Mascaras « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.cagematch.net}}</ref>
|retired = 2019
}}
}}
'''Mil Máscaras''' (born '''Aarón Rodríguez Arellano''', July 15, 1942) is a Mexican [[Lucha libre|luchador]] ([[professional wrestler]]) and actor. He is regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of the [[lucha libre]] tradition in Mexico – along with [[El Santo]] and [[Blue Demon]] – and has been described as the first international superstar of lucha libre.<ref name=wwe>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/mil-mascaras|title=Mil Máscaras|website=WWE}}</ref> Mil Máscaras is considered one of the most influential wrestlers of all time for enhancing and popularizing the lucha libre style around the world, both in the ring and as the star of 20 films. He is also an accomplished artist and cultural ambassador for his native country and has appeared on three of its postage stamps.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Filmfax|pages=48–52|issue=1|year=2012}}</ref> Although he has never been [[Lucha libre#Luchas de apuestas|unmasked]] and his true identity is generally kept a secret out of respect for lucha libre traditions, his real name is known due to appearing in the credits of the films he has starred in. His ring name is Spanish for "Thousand Masks".
'''Aaron Rodríguez Arellano''' (born in [[San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí]], [[Mexico]] on July 15, 1942), best known as '''Mil Máscaras''' (''A Thousand Masks''), is a semi-retired Mexican [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] and [[actor]], who has starred in several films with fellow [[Lucha libre|luchadores]]. He is a member of one of Mexico's most prominent wrestling families—his brothers José and Pablo respectively wrestle as [[Dos Caras]] and Sicodélico, José's son Alberto wrestles as [[Dos Caras, Jr.]] or Alberto Del Rio, and Pablo's son Aaron is better known as [[Sicodelico, Jr.|Sicodélico, Jr.]]

Mil Máscaras was inducted into the [[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]] in 2010, and the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2012. He is a member of one of Mexico's most prominent wrestling families; his brothers José and Pablo respectively wrestle as [[Dos Caras]] and Sicodélico. José's oldest son [[Alberto Del Rio|Alberto]] is a former [[WWE Championship|WWE Champion]] and currently wrestles as Alberto El Patron. José's younger son Guillermo wrestles as [[El Hijo de Dos Caras]]. Pablo's son Aaron is better known as [[Sicodelico Jr.]]


==Professional wrestling career==
==Professional wrestling career==
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}Mil Máscaras made his professional wrestling debut on July 20, 1963, in [[Pachuca]]. He became popular in Mexico for being one of the best conditioned luchadores in the heavyweight division, which was dominated by foreigners at the time.<ref name=MondoMil>{{cite book|author=Madigan, Dan|title=Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers|year=2007|chapter=Mil Mascaras|pages=93–99|isbn=978-0-06-085583-3}}</ref> It was also his size which permitted him to wrestle in the US and Japan under the heavyweight division. Mil Máscaras was one of the first masked luchadores outside of Mexico to play a non-[[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] role. He rarely resorted to rule breaking, instead relying on his repertoire of moves and counter-moves.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresu.com/personalities/mascaras/|title=Mil Mascaras|website=Puroresu Dojo}}</ref> Mil Máscaras was also one of the first wrestlers to introduce the [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques|high-flying moves]] of lucha libre, such as the [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Plancha|plancha]] and [[Suicide Dive|tope suicida]], to Japanese fans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.puroresudojo.com/articles/sayama-mascaras.html |title=Interview: Mil Mascaras and Satoru Sayama |website=Puroresu Dojo}}</ref> This brought him international fame as one of the first high-flyers, something he was not considered in Mexico where he fell under the mat-power category.
[[File:Mil Mascaras vs El Canek.jpg|thumb|Mascaras wrestles one of his greatest rivals, [[El Canek]], in 2009.]]
Mil Máscaras made his professional wrestling debut in April 1965 in [[Guadalajara, Jalisco|Guadalajara]]. Máscaras became popular in Mexico for being one of the best conditioned luchadores in the heavyweight division, which was dominated by foreigners at the time.<ref name=MondoMil>{{cite book | author= Madigan, Dan | title= Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizare & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling | publisher= HarperColins Publisher | year= 2007 | chapter = Mil Mascaras | pages = 93&mdash;99 | accessdate= August 22, 2009 | id=ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3}}</ref> It was also his size which permitted him to wrestle in the US and Japan under the heavyweight division. Máscaras was one of the first masked luchadores outside of Mexico to play a non-[[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] role. He rarely resorted to rule breaking, instead relying on his repertoire of moves and counter-moves.<ref>[http://www.puroresu.com/wrestlers/mascaras/ Mil Mascaras]</ref> Máscaras was also one of the first wrestlers to introduce the [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques|high-flying moves]] of lucha libre, such as the [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Planca|plancha]] and [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Suicide|tope suicida]], to Japanese fans.<ref>[http://www.puroresudojo.com/articles/sayama-mascaras.html Interview: Mil Mascaras and Satoru Sayama]</ref> This brought him international fame as one of the first high-flyers, something he was not considered in Mexico where he fell under the mat-power category.


Mil Máscaras made his international wrestling debut in 1968 at the [[Grand Olympic Auditorium|Olympic Auditorium]] in [[Los Angeles]], getting involved in [[Feud (professional wrestling)|rivalries]] against the likes of [[Ernie Ladd]], [[John Tolos]], [[Black Gordman]] and [[The Great Goliath|Goliath]]. In [[Mexico City]], he unmasked [[El Halcon]] in a triangular tournament that included [[Alfonso Dantés]] in the 1970s. Owing to the limited spread of news at the time, he repeated the feat in a Japanese ring, winning by submission.
A year after his wrestling debut, Mil Máscaras starred in his first film, a self-titled picture. As with many luchadores, his character is that of a [[superhero]]. He has since starred in several films spanning five decades, the best known is ''[[Las Momias de Guanajuato]]'' (a reference to the actual [[mummies of Guanajuato]]).


Mil Máscaras performed for [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW) during the '70s. In his Japanese debut on February 19, 1971, he defeated [[Kantaro Hoshino]] in [[Tokyo]]. It was during this time that he had his best-known international feud with American masked wrestler [[Dick Beyer|The Destroyer]]. During the '70s, Mil Máscaras also had feuds with Mexican wrestlers such as TNT, [[Canek (wrestler)|Canek]], El Halcon, and [[Angel Blanco]]. These feuds took place mostly in Mexico and the US and were broadcast on [[Spanish language]] stations in the US, Mil Máscaras was also the heavyweight champion of the IWA wrestling promotion, which was founded by [[Eddie Einhorn]], and still holds the title to this day.
Máscaras made his international wrestling debut in 1968 at the [[Grand Olympic Auditorium|Olympic Auditorium]] in [[Los Angeles]], getting involved in great [[feud (professional wrestling)|rivalries]] against the likes of [[Ernie Ladd]], [[John Tolos]], [[Black Gordman]], and [[Goliath]]. In [[Mexico City]], he unmasked [[El Halcon]] in a triangular tournament that included [[Alfonso Dantés]] in the 1970s.


In 1974, Mil Máscaras was the World Champion of the short-lived [[International Wrestling Association (1970s)|International Wrestling Association]] promotion based in New York City. He had major title defenses against competitors such as Ivan Koloff and Ernie Ladd.
Máscaras performed for [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW) during the '70s. In his Japanese debut on February 19, 1971, he defeated [[Kantaro Hoshino]] in [[Tokyo]]. It was during this time that he had his best known international feud with American masked wrestler [[Dick Beyer|The Destroyer]]. During the '70s, Máscaras also had feuds with Mexican wrestlers such as TNT, [[El Canek]], El Halcon, and Angel Blanco. These feuds took place mostly in Mexico and the US, and were broadcast on [[Spanish language]] stations in the U.S. Mascaras was also the heavyweight champion of the IWA wrestling promotion, which was founded by [[Eddie Einhorn]], and still holds the title to this day.


Mil Máscaras appeared in [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now called WWE). He performed at [[Madison Square Garden]] several times after a ban on masked wrestlers was lifted for him, making him the first masked wrestler in the Garden, he defeated the Spoiler (who was not permitted to wear his mask). During this time, he feuded with "Superstar" Billy Graham over the [[WWE Championship|WWWF World Heavyweight Championship]].
Mil Máscaras appeared in [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now called WWE). He performed at [[Madison Square Garden]] several times after a ban on masked wrestlers was lifted for him, making him the first masked wrestler in the Garden, he defeated [[Don Jardine|The Spoiler]] (who was not permitted to wear his mask). During this time, he feuded with [[Superstar Billy Graham]] over the [[WWE Championship|WWF World Heavyweight Championship]].


[[File:Mil Mascaras vs El Canek.jpg|thumb|Mil Máscaras wrestling one of his greatest rivals, [[Canek (wrestler)|Canek]], in 2009]]
Mascaras also wrestled in [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), where his most notable match was a match with [[Mick Foley|Cactus Jack]] at ''[[Clash of the Champions#Clash of the Champions X: Texas Shootout|Clash of the Champions X: Texas Shootout]]'' on February 6, 1990 in the [[Memorial Coliseum (Corpus Christi)|Memorial Coliseum]] in [[Corpus Christi, Texas]].<ref>Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.169)</ref>


Mil Máscaras made many appearances during the 80s and the 90s at the [[World Wrestling Council]] in Puerto Rico. He also wrestled in [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), where his most notable match was a match with [[Mick Foley|Cactus Jack]] at ''[[Clash of the Champions X: Texas Shootout]]'' on February 6, 1990, in the [[Memorial Coliseum (Corpus Christi)|Memorial Coliseum]] in [[Corpus Christi, Texas]].<ref>Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.169)</ref>
On September 10, 1991, at the age of 49, Máscaras won his final title, the WWA (Mexico) World Heavyweight Championship. He held the title until 1994 and assumed a state of semi-retirement after his final reign.<ref name=semiretirement>Slagle, Steve. [http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/bios/halloffame/mascarasbio.html Photos & Bios - Mil Máscaras] WrestlingMuseum.com (2000). Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref>


On September 10, 1991, at the age of 49, Mil Máscaras won his final title, the WWA (Mexico) World Heavyweight Championship. He held the title until 1994 and assumed a state of semi-retirement after his final reign.<ref name=semiretirement>Slagle, Steve. [http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/bios/halloffame/mascarasbio.html Photos & Bios – Mil Máscaras] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401165734/http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/bios/halloffame/mascarasbio.html |date=2009-04-01}} WrestlingMuseum.com (2000). Retrieved December 8, 2007.</ref>
Máscaras' first American [[pay-per-view]] appearance was competing in WWF's [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997 ''Royal Rumble'']] match. He eliminated himself, diving off the top rope out of the ring onto [[Pierroth, Jr.]], whom he himself had just eliminated. Such a move is common in lucha libre but it is technically a mistake in the Royal Rumble as it leads to elimination.


Mil Máscaras' first American [[pay-per-view]] appearance was competing in [[WWE|WWF]]'s [[Royal Rumble (1997)|1997 ''Royal Rumble'']] match. He eliminated himself, diving off the top rope out of the ring onto [[Pierroth Jr.]], whom he himself had just eliminated. Such a move is common in lucha libre, but it is technically a mistake in the Royal Rumble as it leads to elimination.
On December 5, 2002, Mascaras defeated Manny Fernandez at the inaugural show for Legacy Wrestling Enterprises in Fort Worth, TX.


On December 5, 2002, Mil Máscaras defeated [[Manny Fernandez (wrestler)|Manny Fernandez]] at the inaugural show for Legacy Wrestling Enterprises in Fort Worth, Texas. On July 25, he celebrated his 50th in-ring anniversary to the day by teaming with his brother Sicodelico and his nephew El Hijo De Dos Caras to face one of his greatest rivals, Canek, along with Negro Navarro and Rey Bucanero in a special six-man tag.
===Film career===
Máscaras also achieved fame outside of the ring, starring in a series of seventeen [[Lucha film|luchador action films]] from 1966 through 1990 (he also has appeared in several other films made more recently). His first starring role was in the self-titled film "''Mil Máscaras''" which was shot in black and white and gave Máscaras a [[comic book]] style [[origin story]]. According to the film, an infant Máscaras was found clutching his dead mother's arms in a war-torn area of Europe during [[World War II]]. A group of scientists adopts Máscaras as a boy, and subjects him to an intensive regimen of physical and mental training as he matures. When Máscaras reaches adulthood, he has developed into a super-human, achieving both mental and physical perfection. The scientists then send him out into the world to help downtrodden people everywhere, to fight criminals and to right wrongs.


== Acting career ==
In 1970, Máscaras starred alongside [[Blue Demon]] and [[Santo|El Santo]] in [[Las Momias de Guanajuato]] (The Mummies of Guanajuato). ''Las Momias de Guanajuato'' became the highest grossing Mexican luchador film of all time, pitting the three masked luchadores against a group of reanimated mummies. Mascaras also starred as a member of a squadron of masked superheroes known as "''Los Campeones Justicieros''" (The Champions of Justice). Membership in the Champions included such legendary Mexican wrestling figures as [[Blue Demon]], [[Tinieblas]], [[El Rayo de Jalisco]], El Médico Asesino, El Fantasma Blanco, and Superzan.
Mil Máscaras also starred in a series of 20 [[Lucha film|luchador action films]] beginning with his self-titled debut in 1966 at age 24. In 1966, Mexican movie producer [[Luis Enrique Vergara]] was looking for a new "enmascarado" to star in his wrestling/horror movies which were then the rage of Mexican cinema. Mil Máscaras was the first Lucha Libre personality that was created specifically to be a movie star, since his whole persona and flashy look was designed initially for the movies. (His real-life wrestling career followed and grew out of the excitement generated by his film appearances.)


Vergara's two regular movie stars had suddenly become unavailable. [[El Santo]] had walked out on him over a contract dispute, and [[Blue Demon]] was injured unexpectedly and would require a prolonged time-out. Not wanting to stop making his successful cinematic quickies, Vergara decided to transform Lucha Libre newcomer Mil Máscaras as the star of his next two movies. Mil began a movie career that has continued to this day, appearing in a total of 20 Mexican horror/wrestling/action films.
In 2007 Máscaras starred in ''[[Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy]]'' (also known as ''Mil Mascaras: Resurrection''),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmvsam.com |title=MMvsAM}}</ref> the first lucha film featuring any of the so-called "Big Three" stars of the genre (Máscaras, Blue Demon, Santo) to be produced in [[English language|English]]. The film screened at festivals around the world garnering awards and award nominations along with positive critical reviews.<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/mil-mascaras-resurrection|title=PopMatters}}</ref><ref name="mjsimpson">{{cite web|url=http://www.mjsimpson.co.uk/reviews/milmascarasresurrection.html|title=mjsimpson}}</ref>


The first film, simply entitled ''Mil Máscaras'' (1966) was shot in black & white and made Mil out to be a sort of super-hero. The film gave Mil Máscaras a comic book-style origin story, which seems to have been somewhat swiped from the then-popular ''[[Doc Savage]]'' pulp novels that were selling very well in science-fiction bookstores in the mid-60's. According to the script, Mil was an infant who was found clutched in his dead mother's arms in a war-torn area of Europe during World War 2 and was sent to an orphanage. A group of scientists (not affiliated with any particular country) adopts the boy, secretly using him as a guinea pig, subjecting the child to an intensive regimen of physical exercise and mental training as he matures.
The film ''Mil Máscaras: Héroe'', which is a hybrid of live action sequences and Japanese [[manga]]-style animation, is currently in production.<ref>http://superluchas.net/?p=2389</ref>


When he reaches adulthood, Mil Máscaras is something of a superman (although without actual superpowers); both his mind and his body have been developed to perfection. The scientists then send him out into the world to help downtrodden people everywhere, to fight criminals and to right wrongs, and just basically help make the world a better place.
===Criticism===
Multiple wrestlers have publicly complained of Mascaras' unwillingness to [[Sell (professional wrestling)|sell]] moves and put opponents [[List of professional wrestling terms#O|over]]. One of the most vocal critics is [[Mick Foley]] who, in his book ''[[Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks|Have a Nice Day!]]'', complained about Máscaras' refusal to sell moves in their match.<ref>Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.169-171)</ref> In his book, ''A Lion's Tale'', [[Chris Jericho]] describes the stories of Máscaras' large ego and states that, if anything, "The tales were toning it down." <ref>Jericho, Chris. A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex</ref> In a 2007 shoot interview, [[Billy Graham (wrestler)|"Superstar" Billy Graham]] confirmed that during his series of matches with Mascaras, Mascaras was unwilling to sell properly.


The plots of the first two films were rather lackluster. In both ''Mil Máscaras'' (1966) and its sequel ''Los Canallas'' (also 1966), Mil gets to fight a rather ordinary gang of thugs and a crooked fight promoter who are bullying the locals in some backwater burg in Mexico. Mil's second film ''Los Canallas'' and all of them thereafter were shot in Color.
===Legacy===
Máscaras is arguably the best known masked luchador in the world, as are legends [[El Santo]] and [[Blue Demon]]. His barrel-chested physique, colorful attire and flamboyant personality, made him an instant hit in the ring as well as on the silver screen. Living up to his name, Máscaras is known for entering the ring wearing a different mask, which he removes to reveal his familiar mask. In Japan, he throws the mask he takes off to the audience, something he does not do in Mexico. Máscaras' technical efficiency, combined with his luchador-style aerial maneuvers, made him very popular with wrestling fans around the world. In 1975, Máscaras was voted "The Most Popular Wrestler of the Year" by the US magazine [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]].<ref>[http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimpoty.htm Wrestling Information Archive - Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners - Most Popular Wrestler of the Year]</ref> [[Satoru Sayama]], the original [[Tiger Mask]], has described Máscaras' impact on Japanese professional wrestling, "If it weren't for Mil Mascaras, there would be no [[Jushin Liger]], no [[Último Dragón]] or the [[Masanori Murakawa|Great Sasuke]] today,".<ref>[http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=9D757C0F-3048-826A-C4A84E2793E5A01B The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham]</ref> Mascaras' success in the US also paved the way for other luchadores such as [[Rey Mysterio, Jr.]], who has become one of the most popular luchadores in US wrestling. Now well into his 60s, Máscaras continues to perform sporadically. In 2001, he was inducted into the Southern California Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame.


Federico Curiel directed Mil Máscaras' next two films in 1968, both of which feature American horror star [[John Carradine]] as a bad guy. Mil's missions were becoming a bit more meaningful by this time. In ''Enigma of Death'', Mil faces off against Carradine who plays the leader of an underground Nazi organization (who disguises himself as a circus clown!), while in ''Las Vampiras'', Mil goes up against a secret cult of female vampires led by a very manic Carradine.
In 2006, Máscaras was honored by the [[Cauliflower Alley Club]], a fraternal organization of both retired and active wrestlers. [[Dick Beyer|The Destroyer]], one of Máscaras legendary rivals, presented him with an award at the event. The Destroyer also commented on Máscaras' wrestling style, "He was the best competitor that I ever wrestled. He never gave you anything -- it's true -- but I didn't give him anything either. You talk about a [[Shoot wrestling|shoot]] or a half-shoot, and that's the kind of match that it was."<ref>[http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/11/1625969.html CANOE - SLAM! Sports - Wrestling - Race & Hennig go over at Cauliflower Alley Club banquet]</ref><ref>http://www.wrestlingrevue.com/previews/preview151.pdf</ref>


In 1970, Curiel directed Mil Máscaras in two of his team-up movies. ''The Mummies of Guanajuato'' teamed Mil up with both Blue Demon and El Santo in what became the highest-grossing Mexican wrestler film of all time, pitting the three enmascarados against a group of re-animated mummies.
==Personal life==
Mascaras has never been unmasked in the ring, and like most masked luchadores, he goes to great lengths to conceal his true appearance and personal life. Máscaras has two brothers who wrestled, [[Dos Caras]] and [[El Sicodélico]]. He has two sons and two daughters with his first wife, who died in 1975, and two daughters with his second wife, whom he married in 1995. His nephew appears on [[WWE Raw]] as [[Dos Caras, Jr.|Alberto Del Rio]].


[[File:Mil Mascaras 1 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Mil Máscaras in 2009]]
Mascaras is an avid golfer and plays in many charity golf tournaments around the world, including annually at the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament<ref>[http://lapmf.org/golf.htm]</ref>
''The Champions of Justice'' (also 1970) saw Mil Máscaras in action with fellow wrestlers Blue Demon, [[Tinieblas]], El Medico Asesino and La Sombra Vengadora (who all joined as sort of a super-team to fight monsters, mad scientists, criminals, evil dwarves or whatever else crossed their paths.) The producers employed a gaggle of masked midget wrestlers in a number of their luchador films in the 70s.


Over the next few years, a number of other team-up movies were made, most co-starring Mil Máscaras, who by this time was becoming the "King of the Team-up Movies". ''Champions of Justice Return'' (1972) was very similar to the first Champions film, only with El Fantasma Blanco sitting in for El Medico Asesino, El Rayo de Jalisco replacing Tinieblas, and El Avispon Escarlata replacing La Sombra Vengadora. (Mil didn't appear in the third and final "Champions" film because it would've involved traveling to a foreign country where it was filmed.)
==Filmography==
;1966
*''Mil Máscaras'' (first appearance and origin of Mil Máscaras)—the only B&W film in the series
*''Los Canallas'' (The Scoundrels)—in color


However, in 1973, he teamed up again with Tinieblas and El Fantasma Blanco in two more films, ''Macabre Legends of the Colony'' and ''The Mummies of San Angel'' (which both resemble "Champions Of Justice" films, in spite of the Blue Demon's conspicuous absence from the casts). ''Theft of the Mummies of Guanajuato'' (1972) teamed up Mil with the Blue Angel and El Rayo De Jalisco.
;1968
*''Las Vampiras'' (The Vampire Girls) (co-starring John Carradine)
*''Enigma de Muerte'' (Enigma of Death) (co-starring John Carradine)


Mil Máscaras then co-starred with super-star strongman [[Sergio Oliva]] in ''Black Power'' (1973). He fought alongside the then-famous [[Superzan]] in ''Vampires of Coyoacan'' (1973) and later joined forces once again with El Santo and Blue Demon in 1977's ''Mystery in Bermuda'', which most Mexi-cinema fans consider to be the last real entry in the then fading Mexican wrestling/horror genre.
;1970
*''Los Campeones Justicieros'' (The Champions of Justice) (co-starring Blue Demon, Tinieblas, El Médico Asesino, and La Sombra Vengadora)
*''Las Momias de Guanajuato'' (The Mummies of Guanajuato) (co-starring Santo and Blue Demon)


[[Image:Mil Mascaras en Morbido 2012 (cropped).jpg|thumb|200px|Mil Máscaras in 2012]]
;1972
He also appeared in a solo movie of his own, ''A Rose in the Ring'' (1972) and years later, he even teamed up with Santo's son [[El Hijo del Santo]] in ''The Lawless Frontier'' (1983), making Mil Máscaras the only Mexican superhero to ever co-star with both Santos, father and son. In the late 80's, Mil appeared in two more wrestling films, ''[[La Verdad de la Lucha]]'' and ''[[La Llave Mortal]]''.
*''El Robo de las Momias de Guanajuato'' (The Theft of the Mummies of Guanajuato) (co-starring The Blue Angel and El Rayo De Jalisco)
*''Vuelven los Campeones Justicieros'' (The Champions of Justice Return) (co-starring Blue Demon, El Fantasma Blanco, El Rayo de Jalisco, and El Avispón Escarlata)
*''Una Rosa Sobre el Ring'' (A Rose in The Ring) (co-starring Crox Alvarado as "The Black Mask")


In 2024 a Salvadoran bodybuilder Edgar Alexis Pineda played Mil Máscaras in the Salvadoran movie "3 Grandes Personajes" also known in the United States as "Samurai Jack and Mil Máscaras vs. Yumi".
;1973
*''Leyendas Macabras de la Colonia'' (Macabre Legends of The Colony) (co-starring Tinieblas and El Fantasma Blanco)
*''Los Vampiros de Coyoacán'' (The Vampires of Coyoacán) (co-starring Superzan)
*''Las Momias de San Ángel'' (The Mummies of San Ángel) (co-starring Tinieblas and El Fantasma Blanco)
*''El Poder Negro'' (Black Power) (co-starring [[Sergio Oliva]])


Mil's film career lay dormant after 1990 for 17 years, but he more recently resumed appearing in movies. In 2007, Mil Máscaras starred in ''[[Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy]]'' (also known as ''Mil Mascaras: Resurrection''),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mmvsam.com/|title=Mil Mascaras vs. The Aztec Mummy (aka Mil Mascaras: Resurrection)|website=www.mmvsam.com|access-date=2008-12-08|archive-date=2018-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805082414/http://mmvsam.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the first lucha film featuring any of the so-called "Big Three" stars of the genre (Máscaras, Blue Demon, Santo) to be produced in [[English language|English]]. The film screened at festivals around the world garnering awards and award nominations along with positive critical reviews.<ref name="popmatters">{{Cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/mil-mascaras-resurrection-2496110479.html|title=Mil Mascaras: Resurrection (2007)|date=October 23, 2008|website=PopMatters}}</ref><ref name="mjsimpson">{{cite web|url=http://www.mjsimpson.co.uk/reviews/milmascarasresurrection.html |title=mjsimpson |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123115026/http://www.mjsimpson.co.uk/reviews/milmascarasresurrection.html |archive-date=2009-01-23 }}</ref> The film enjoyed almost continuous popularity and publicity for several years after its debut, including two magazine cover articles as late as 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmvsam.com/reviews.shtml |title=Mil Mascaras vs. The Aztec Mummy (aka Mil Mascaras: Resurrection) &#124; Press |publisher=Mmvsam.com |access-date=2014-08-22}}</ref> He also appeared in a 2008 film entitled ''[[Academy of Doom]]'', and a 2015 film called ''[[Aztec Revenge]]''.
;1977
*''Misterio en las Bermudas'' (Mystery in Bermuda) (co-starring Santo and Blue Demon)


==Public profile==
;1983
===Reputation===
*''El Hijo de Santo en la Frontera Sin Ley'' (Son of Santo in The Lawless Frontier)
Mil Máscaras has drawn criticism from fellow wrestlers such as [[Mick Foley]]<ref>Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.169-171)</ref> and [[Chris Jericho]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Jericho |first1=Chris |last2=Fornatale |first2=Peter Thomas |title=A Lion's Tale – Around the World in Spandex |pages=[https://archive.org/details/lionstalearoundt00jeri/page/109/ 109]–[https://archive.org/details/lionstalearoundt00jeri/page/110/ 110] |publisher=[[Grand Central Publishing]] |url=https://archive.org/details/lionstalearoundt00jeri/ |url-access=registration |isbn=978-0-446-58006-9 |date=October 25, 2007 |access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref> for his unwillingness to [[Sell (professional wrestling)|sell]] moves and [[List of professional wrestling terms#put over|put opponents over]]. In a 2007 shoot interview, [[Superstar Billy Graham]] said that, during their series of matches, Mil Máscaras was unwilling to sell properly.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}


Mil Máscaras has attributed these claims to cultural differences in the sport, saying: {{Blockquote|text=One problem is that in the U.S. some wrestlers focus more on their image than their skills. I understand because I understand the business. I don't criticize them for that, but they should understand that for me wrestling means something more. If a guy doesn't execute a move, I don't pretend that he did. If I miss a move, then I don't ask anyone to make me look good. |sign=Mil Máscaras|source=''Filmfax'', pp.51–52, issue 1, 2012}}
;1988
*''La Verdad de la Lucha'' (The Truth About Wrestling)


==Legacy==
;1990
[[File:WWE Hall of Fame 2012 Mil Mascaras.jpg|thumb|Mil Máscaras during his speech of induction at the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame]]
*''La Llave Mortal'' (The Deadly Wrestling Hold)
In 1975, Mil Máscaras was voted as "The Most Popular Wrestler of the Year" by the company that now publishes the US magazine ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''.<ref>[http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimpoty.htm Wrestling Information Archive – Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners – Most Popular Wrestler of the Year] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110905045036/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimpoty.htm |date=2011-09-05 }}</ref> [[Satoru Sayama]], the original [[Tiger Mask (professional wrestling)|Tiger Mask]], has described Mil Máscaras' impact on Japanese professional wrestling, "If it weren't for Mil Máscaras, there would be no [[Jushin Thunder Liger|Jushin Liger]], no [[Último Dragón]] or the [[Masanori Murakawa|Great Sasuke]] today,".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=9D757C0F-3048-826A-C4A84E2793E5A01B|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113174457/http://www.mikemooneyham.com/pages/viewfull.cfm?ObjectID=9D757C0F-3048-826A-C4A84E2793E5A01B|url-status=dead|title=The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham|archive-date=November 13, 2008}}</ref> Mil Máscaras' success in the US also paved the way for other luchadors such as [[Rey Mysterio|Rey Mysterio Jr.]], who has become one of the most popular luchadors in US wrestling. Even after reaching the age of 70, Mil Máscaras continues to perform sporadically. In 2001, he was inducted into the Southern California Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame.


In 2006, Mil Máscaras was honored by the [[Cauliflower Alley Club]], a fraternal organization of both retired and active wrestlers. [[Dick Beyer|The Destroyer]], one of Mil Máscaras' legendary rivals, presented him with an award at the event. The Destroyer also commented on Mil Máscaras' wrestling style, "He was the best competitor that I ever wrestled. He never gave you anything – it's true – but I didn't give him anything either. You talk about a [[Shoot wrestling|shoot]] or a half-shoot, and that's the kind of match that it was."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/11/1625969.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722020502/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/11/1625969.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 22, 2012|title=CANOE – SLAM! Sports – Wrestling – Race & Hennig go over at Cauliflower Alley Club banquet}}</ref>
;2007
*''[[Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy]]'' (also known as "Mil Mascaras: Resurrection")


On October 7, 2011, Mil Máscaras returned to Japan to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his debut in the country. He teamed with [[Dos Caras]] and [[Satoru Sayama|Original Tiger Mask]] to defeat [[Nobuhiko Oshima|CIMA]], [[Último Guerrero]] and [[Tiger Mask IV]] in a six-man tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iheartdg.com/|title=(no title)|website=iheartdg.com|access-date=2011-10-08|archive-date=2012-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102155452/http://iheartdg.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
;2007
*''Academy of Doom'' (formerly called "Wrestling Women vs. the Brainiac")


In April 2012, Mil Máscaras was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] by his nephew Alberto Del Rio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_54321.shtml|title=WWE News: First inductee into 2012 WWE Hall of Fame announced at Smackdown TV taping (w/video)|date=October 17, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=October 17, 2011|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>
;2008/2009
*''Mil Máscaras: Héroe'' (Mil Máscaras, Hero) (live-action/animation hybrid)


==Personal life==
;2011 (scheduled release)
Mil Máscaras has never been unmasked in the ring, and like most masked luchadores, he goes to great lengths to conceal his true appearance and personal life. He has two brothers who wrestled, [[Dos Caras]] and [[Sicodélico]]. He has two sons and two daughters with his first wife, who died in 1975, and two daughters with his second wife, whom he married in 1995. His nephews are [[Alberto Del Rio]] (also known as Dos Caras Jr., El Hijo de Dos Caras, and Alberto El Patrón); the current [[El Hijo de Dos Caras]]; [[Sicodélico Jr.]]; and [[Hijo Del Sicodelico]].
*''Mil Mascaras: Aztec Revenge'' (sequel to ''Aztec Mummy'')


Mil Máscaras is an avid golfer and plays in many charity golf tournaments around the world, including the annual Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lapmf.org/golf.htm |title=Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation – Golf |publisher=Lapmf.org |date=2014-05-31 |access-date=2014-08-22}}</ref>
==In wrestling==
*'''Finishing moves'''
**''[[Professional wrestling attacks#Flying Cross chop|Cross chop]]'' - Innovated
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving crossbody|Diving crossbody]]<ref name=OtherArena>{{cite web|url=http://www.otherarena.com/nCo/finish/finish.html|title=Finishing Moves List|publisher=Other Arena|accessdate=2009-11-03}}</ref>


Along with pro wrestling, Mil Máscaras is a fan of [[Japanese martial arts]], and has practised [[judo]], [[aikido]], [[jujutsu]], [[karate]] and [[kendo]], among others. He trained jujutsu under a [[Mitsuyo Maeda]] student, and also trained under [[Professor Tanaka]].<ref name=Sayama>[http://www.puroresu.com/articles/sayama-mascaras.html Interview between Satoru Sayama and Mil Máscaras], Puroresu Dojo, August 3, 1995</ref> Mil Máscaras started learning martial arts as a counter to [[Shoot (professional wrestling)|shoot]] attempts, and recalls several wrestlers who tried to shoot on him and whom he had to legitimately submit.<ref name=Sayama/>
*'''Signature moves'''
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Bear hug|Bearhug]]
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Monkey flip|Monkey flip]]
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Planca|Slingshot crossbody]]
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Suicide|Suicide dive]]
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Surfboard|Surfboard]]


==Championships and accomplishments==
==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''Alianza Latinoamericana de Lucha Libre'''
*'''Alianza Latinoamericana de Lucha Libre'''
:*ALLL World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**ALLL World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*'''[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]'''
*'''[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]'''
:*[[PWF United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[PWF United States Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])
**[[PWF United States Heavyweight Championship]] ([[PWF United States Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])
**January 2 Korakuen Hall Heavyweight Battle Royal (1983)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/alljapan/miscaj.html#hvywt |title=Misc. All Japan Events |publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com |access-date=2014-08-22}}</ref>

*'''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
*'''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
:*Other inductee ([[Cauliflower Alley Club#2006|2006]])
**Other inductee ([[Cauliflower Alley Club#2006|2006]])

*'''Commission de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F.'''
*'''Commission de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F.'''
:*[[Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship]] ([[Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship#Title history|2 times]])
**[[Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of Mexican National Light Heavyweight Champions|2 times]])
*'''[[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''

**Class of 2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prowrestlinghall.org/induction|title=Induction Weekend 2022 &#124; Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame|website=IPWHF}}</ref>
*'''International Wrestling Association (Georgia)'''
*'''[[International Wrestling Association (1970s)|International Wrestling Association]]'''
:*IWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**IWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<sup>1</sup>

*'''[[National Wrestling Alliance]]'''
**[[NWA Hall of Fame]] (Class of 2009)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/115470/NWA-News:-2009-Hall-Of-Fame-Class,-World-Mini-Title-Coming-Back.htm |title=NWA Class of 2009|date=2009-06-09 |access-date=2009-02-22|first=Larry|last=Csonka}}</ref>
*'''[[World Class Championship Wrestling|NWA Big Time Wrestling – World Class Wrestling Association]]'''
*'''[[World Class Championship Wrestling|NWA Big Time Wrestling – World Class Wrestling Association]]'''
:*[[WCWA World Tag Team Championship|NWA American Tag Team Championship]] ([[WCWA World Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with [[Jose Lothario]]
**[[WCWA World Tag Team Championship|NWA American Tag Team Championship]] ([[WCWA World Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Jose Lothario]]<ref name=WCCWAmTag>{{cite book | author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will | title=Wrestling Title Histories |chapter= (Dallas) Texas: NWA American Tag Team Title [Fritz Von Erich] | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=2006 | isbn=978-0-9698161-5-7}}</ref><ref name="NWAAmericanTag">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/wccw/am-t.html |title=N.W.A. American Tag Team Title | access-date=January 19, 2020 |work=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref>
**[[WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship|NWA Texas Tag Team Championship]] ([[WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Jose Lothario]]<ref name=ETexTagTitleBook>{{cite book| last1=Will | first1=Gary | first2=Royal | last2= Duncan | title=Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present | publisher=Archeus Communications | year=2000 | location=Pennsylvania | chapter=Texas: NWA Texas Tag Team Title [Von Erich] | isbn=0-9698161-5-4 | pages=275–276}}</ref><ref name=ETexTagTitle>{{cite web| url = http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/tx-t.html | title = NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]| access-date = December 27, 2019 | work= wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
:*[[WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship|NWA Texas Tag Team Championship]] ([[WCWA Texas Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with Jose Lothario
:*[[WCWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[WCWA World Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) - with [[Jeff Jarrett]]
**[[WCWA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[WCWA World Tag Team Championship#Title history|1 time]]) – with [[Jeff Jarrett]]
*'''[[NWA Hollywood Wrestling]]'''

**[[NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship#Title history|3 times]])
*'''[[National Wrestling Alliance|NWA Hollywood Wrestling]]'''
:*[[NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship#Title history|3 times]])
**[[NWA Americas Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Americas Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]]) – with [[Alfonso Dantés]] (1) and Ray Mendoza (2)
:*[[NWA Americas Tag Team Championship]] ([[NWA Americas Tag Team Championship#Title history|3 times]]) - with [[Alfonso Dantés]] (1) and Ray Mendoza (1)
**NWA Americas Six-Man Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Médico #1 & Médico #2 (1) and Médico #1 & Pepe López (1)

*'''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]'''
*'''[[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]'''
**([[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame#2010|Class of 2010]])
**([[Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame#2010|Class of 2010]])
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**[[PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year]] (1975)
**PWI ranked him # '''94''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
**PWI ranked him # '''128''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1993.
*'''[[Tokyo Gurentai]]'''
**[[Tokyo World Tag Team Championship|Tokyo World Tag Team Championship (1 time, current)]] – with Dos Caras<ref name=Gurentai120413>{{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/battle/2013/12/002048.php|script-title=ja:マスカラス兄弟で日本最後の編隊飛行と思われたが、まさかのタッグ王座奪取！ドス・カラスは現役続行に意欲!?|date=December 4, 2013|access-date=December 4, 2013|work=Battle News|language=ja}}</ref>
*'''''[[Tokyo Sports]]'''''
**[[Tokyo Sports Puroresu Awards#Best Bout Award|Match of the Year Award]] (1977) <small>vs. [[Jumbo Tsuruta]] on August 25</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/wrestling/wrestling_past1/|script-title=ja:東京スポーツ プロレス大賞|access-date=2014-01-20|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref>
*'''[[World Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Mexico)|WWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Mexico)#Title history|2 times]])
*'''[[WWE]]'''
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] (Class of 2012)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/mil-mascaras-hall-of-fame-announcement|title=Mil Mascaras to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame|publisher=WWE|access-date=2011-10-24}}</ref>
*'''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#Inductees|Class of 1996]])


<sup>1</sup><small>[[Ernie Ladd]] claims to have defeated Mil Máscaras for the title on April 1, 1977,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/iwa/iwa-h.html|title=International Wrestling Association International/World Heavyweight Title|work=Puroresu Dojo|access-date=2012-10-15}}</ref> but as of October 2012, Mil Máscaras continues to defend the title in [[Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1350157936 |title=Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly |last=Boutwell |first=Josh |date=2012-10-13 |publisher=WrestleView |access-date=2012-10-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015232236/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1350157936 |archive-date=2012-10-15 }}</ref></small>
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
:*[[PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year]] (1975)
:*PWI ranked him # '''94''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
:*PWI ranked him # '''128''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 1993.


===''Luchas de Apuestas'' record===
*'''World Wrestling Association (Los Angeles)'''
:*[[NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship|WWA Americas Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])

*'''[[World Wrestling Association|World Wrestling Association (Mexico)]]'''
:*[[WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Mexico)|WWA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Mexico)#Title history|2 times]])

*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards]]'''
:*[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#1996 inductees|Class of 1996]])

*'''[[National Wrestling Alliance]]'''
:*[[NWA Hall of Fame]] (Class of 2009)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/115470/NWA-News:-2009-Hall-Of-Fame-Class,-World-Mini-Title-Coming-Back.htm |title=NWA Class of 2009|date=2009-06-09 |accessdate=2009-02-22|first=Larry|last=Csonka}}</ref>

===Lucha de Apuesta record===
{{See also|Lucha libre#Luchas de Apuestas|l1=Luchas de Apuestas}}
{{See also|Lucha libre#Luchas de Apuestas|l1=Luchas de Apuestas}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" width=100% style="text-align: center"
!width=20% scope="col"|Winner (wager)
!width=20% scope="col"|Loser (wager)
!width=20% scope="col"|Location
!width=20% scope="col"|Event
!width=15% scope="col"|Date
!class="unsortable" width=5% scope="col"|Notes
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || Benny Galant (hair) || Mexico City || Live event || {{dts|1966|4|22}} || <ref name="EncyMil"/>
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || Black Gordman (hair) || Los Ángeles, California || Live event || {{dts|1969|9|19}} || <ref name="EncyMil"/>
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || Bull Ramos (hair) || Los Ángeles, California || Live event || {{dts|1969|10|10}} || <ref name="EncyMil"/>
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || Barón Escarlata (mask) || N/A || Live event || {{dts|1971|1|2}} || <ref name="EncyMil"/>
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || Frankenstein (mask) || Tijuana, Baja California || Live event || 1974 || <ref group=Note>This was a triangle match that also included Texas.</ref><ref name="EncyMil">{{cite news|title=Enciclopedia de las Mascaras|work=Mil Mascaras|location=[[Mexico]]|id=Tomo III|page=33|date=October 2007|language=es}}</ref>
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || [[Alfonso Dantés]] (hair) || Mexico City || Live event || {{dts|1977|2|22}} || <ref group=Note>This was a triangle match that also included El Halcon</ref><ref name="EncyMil"/>
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || [[El Halcón]] (mask) || Mexico City || Live event || {{dts|1977|7|29}} ||<ref name="EncyMil"/><ref name=DiaJuly29>{{cite web | url=http://superluchas.com/2015/07/29/en-un-dia-como-hoy-1977-mil-mascaras-vs-el-halcon-mascara-contra-mascaras-1960-gori-guerrero-destrona-a-ray-mendoza/ | title=En un día como hoy… 1977: Mil Máscaras vs. El Halcón, máscara contra máscaras… 1960: Gori Guerrero destrona a Ray Mendoza | first=Teddy | last=Centinela | date=July 29, 2015 | access-date=July 29, 2015 | work=[[Súper Luchas]] | language=es}}</ref>
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || [[El Halcón]] (mask) || Japan || Live event || {{dts|1978|9|13}} ||<ref name="EncyMil"/><ref name=DiaJuly29/>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || Popitekus (hair) || Tijuana, Baja California || Live event || {{dts|1988|8}} || &nbsp;
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || Principe Battu (hair) || Dallas, Texas || Live event || {{dts|1994|11|20}} || &nbsp;
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || [[Gran Markus Jr.]] (mask) || Naucalpan, State of Mexico || Live event || {{dts|1997|6|29}} || <ref group=Note>This was a triangle match that also included [[Tinieblas]]</ref><ref name="EncyMil"/>
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || Venom (mask) || Reynosa || Live event || {{dts|2007|3|17}} || &nbsp;
|-
|Mil Máscaras (mask) || El Yuma (mask) || Reynosa || Live event || {{dts|2007|3|20}} || &nbsp;
|}
{{reflist|group=Note}}


==Filmography==
{|class="wikitable" width=100%

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Film roles
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1966
| ''Mil Máscaras'' ("''Thousand Masks''")
|
| First appearance and origin of Mil Máscaras; the only B&W film in the series.
|-
| 1966
| ''Los Canallas'' ("''The Scoundrels''")
|
| AKA ''The Swine'', ''Hell's Angels'', or ''Angeles Infernales''; made in color
|-
| 1968
| ''Las Vampiras'' ("''The Vampire Girls''")
|
| Co-starring [[John Carradine]]
|-
| 1968
| ''Enigma de Muerte'' ("''Enigma of Death''")
|
| Co-starring John Carradine
|-
| 1970
| ''Los Campeones Justicieros'' ("''The Champions of Justice''")
|
| Co-starring [[Blue Demon]], [[Tinieblas]], El Médico Asesino, and La Sombra Vengadora
|-
| 1970
| ''Las Momias de Guanajuato'' ("''The Mummies of Guanajuato''")
|
| Co-starring [[El Santo|Santo]] and Blue Demon
|-
| 1972
| ''El Robo de las Momias de Guanajuato'' ("''The Theft of the Mummies of Guanajuato''")
|
| Co-starring The Blue Angel and El Rayo De Jalisco
|-
| 1972
| ''Vuelven los Campeones Justicieros'' ("''The Champions of Justice Return''")
|
| Co-starring Blue Demon, El Fantasma Blanco, El Rayo de Jalisco, and El Avispón Escarlata
|-
| 1972
| ''Una Rosa Sobre el Ring'' ("''A Rose in the Ring''")
|
| Co-starring [[Crox Alvarado]] as "The Black Mask"
|-
| 1973
| ''Leyendas Macabras de la Colonia'' ("''Macabre Legends of the Colony''")
|
| Co-starring Tinieblas and El Fantasma Blanco
|-
| 1973
| ''Las Momias de San Ángel'' ("''The Mummies of San Ángel''")
|
| Co-starring Tinieblas and El Fantasma Blanco
|-
| 1973
| ''Los Vampiros de Coyoacán'' ("''The Vampires of Coyoacán''")
|
| Co-starring Superzan
|-
| 1973
| ''El Poder Negro'' ("''The Black Power''")
|
| Co-starring [[Sergio Oliva]]
|-
| 1977
| ''Misterio en las Bermudas'' ("''Mystery in Bermuda''")
|
| Co-starring Santo and Blue Demon
|-
| 1983
| ''[[El Hijo del Santo]] en la Frontera Sin Ley'' ("''Son of Santo in the Lawless Frontier''")
|
|
|-
| 1988
| ''La Verdad de la Lucha'' ("''The Truth About Wrestling''")
|
|
|-
| 1990
| ''La Llave Mortal'' ("''The Deadly Key''")
|
|
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy]]''
| Himself
| AKA ''Mil Mascaras: Resurrection''
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Academy of Doom]]''
| Himself
|
|-
|-
| 2015
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=5%|Wager
| ''[[Aztec Revenge]]''
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=20%|Winner
| Himself
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=20%|Loser
|
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=20%|Location
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=15%|Date
!style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=20%|Notes
|----- align="center"
|Hair || Mil Máscaras || Benny Galant || [[Mexico City|Mexico City, Mexico]] || {{dts|1966|4|22}} || &nbsp;
|----- align="center"
|Hair || Mil Máscaras || Black Gordman || [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] || {{dts|1969|9|19}} || &nbsp;
|----- align="center"
|Hair || Mil Máscaras || Bull Ramos || [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] || {{dts|1969|10|10}} || &nbsp;
|----- align="center"
|Mask || Mil Máscaras || Barón Escarlata || Unknown || {{dts|1971|1|2}} || &nbsp;
|----- align="center"
|Mask || Mil Máscaras || Frankenstein || [[Tijuana]], [[Baja California]] || 1974 || {{small|Triangle match that also included Texas}}<ref name="EncyMil">{{cite news | author = Enciclopedia staff | title = Enciclopedia de las Mascaras | work = Mil Mascaras | location = [[Mexico]] | id = Tomo III | page = 33 | date = October 2007 | accessdate = 2009-03-28 | language = Spanish}}</ref>
|----- align="center"
|Hair || Mil Máscaras || [[Alfonso Dantés]] || [[Mexico City|Mexico City, Mexico]] || {{dts|1977|2|22}} || {{small|Triangle match that also included El Halcon}}<ref name="EncyMil"/>
|----- align="center"
|Mask || Mil Máscaras || El Halcón || [[Mexico City|Mexico City, Mexico]] || {{dts|1977|7|29}} || <ref name="EncyMil"/>
|----- align="center"
|Mask || Mil Máscaras || El Halcón || [[Japan]] || {{dts|1978|9|13}} || <ref name="EncyMil"/>
|----- align="center"
|Hair || Mil Máscaras || Popitekus || [[Tijuana]], [[Baja California]] || {{dts|1988|8}} || &nbsp;
|----- align="center"
|Hair || Mil Máscaras || Principe Battu || [[Dallas]], [[Texas]] || {{dts|1994|11|20}} || &nbsp;
|----- align="center"
|Mask || Mil Máscaras || [[Gran Markus, Jr.]] || [[Naucalpan]], [[Mexico State]] || {{dts|1997|6|29}} || {{small|Triangle match that also included Tinieblas}}<ref name="EncyMil"/>
|----- align="center"
|Mask || Mil Máscaras || Venom || [[Reynosa]] || {{dts|2007|3|17}} || &nbsp;
|----- align="center"
|Mask || Mil Máscaras || El Yuma || [[Reynosa]] || {{dts|2007|3|20}} || &nbsp;
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
;General sources - Championship Information
;General sources – Championship Information
*{{Cite book |author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will |title=Wrestling Title Histories |publisher=Archeus Communications |chapter = MEXICO |pages = 389–402 |year= 2000 |id=ISBN 0-9698161-5-4}}
*{{Cite book|author=Royal Duncan & Gary Will|title=Wrestling Title Histories|publisher=Archeus Communications|chapter=Mexico|pages=389–402|year=2000|isbn=0-9698161-5-4}}
;General sources - Career
;General sources – Career
*{{Cite book | author= Madigan, Dan | title= Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizare& honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling | publisher= HarperColins Publisher | year= 2007 | chapter = Los Enmascarados (the masked men): Mil Máscaras| pages = 93–99 | accessdate= 2009-03-26 | id=ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3}}
*{{Cite book|author=Madigan, Dan|title=Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre& honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers|year=2007|chapter=Los Enmascarados (the masked men): Mil Máscaras|pages=93–99|isbn=978-0-06-085583-3}}
*{{Cite news | author = L.L. Staff | title = Lucha Libre: Conoce la historia de las leyendas de cuadrilátero | work = Mil Máscaras (1942) | location = [[Mexico]] | id = Grandes Figuras de la Lucha Libre | page = 38 | year = 2008 | accessdate = 2009-03-22 | language = Spanish}}
*{{Cite news|title=Lucha Libre: Conoce la historia de las leyendas de cuadrilátero|work=Mil Máscaras (1942)|location=[[Mexico]]|id=Grandes Figuras de la Lucha Libre|page=38|year=2008|language=es}}
* {{cite news | author = Aguierre, Antonio | title = Colosos de Colosos | work = Mil Máscaras: Anatomia de una gran luchador | publisher = Fanqueo Pagado Publicacion Periodica | location = Nextitla, [[Mexico]] | id = 2 | pages = 1–66 | year = 1992 | accessdate = 2009-03-22 | language = Spanish}}
* {{cite news|author=Aguierre, Antonio|title=Colosos de Colosos|work=Mil Máscaras: Anatomia de una gran luchador|publisher=Fanqueo Pagado Publicacion Periodica|location=Nextitla, [[Mexico]]|id=2|pages=1–66|year=1992|language=es}}
*{{Cite book | author = Mick Foley | title = Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks | publisher = HarperCollins | year = 2000 | pages = 511 | isbn = 0061031011}}
*{{Cite book|first=Mick|last=Foley|author-link=Mick Foley|title=Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2000|page=511|isbn=0-06-103101-1}}
;Specific
;Specific references
{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Mil Máscaras}}
{{Portal|Professional wrestling}}
*[http://www.pwhf.org/halloffamers/bios/mascaras.asp Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Profile]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100910234708/http://www.pwhf.org/halloffamers/bios/mascaras.asp Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Profile]
*{{IMDb name|0556106}}
*{{imdb title|id= 0469135|title=Mil Mascaras vs. The Aztec Mummy}}
*[http://www.mmvsam.com/ Official "Mil Mascaras Vs the Astecm Mummy Page]
*[http://www.mmvsam.com/ Official "Mil Mascaras Vs the Astecm Mummy Page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805082414/http://mmvsam.com/ |date=2018-08-05 }}
*[http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/mil-mascaras-resurrection/ PopMatters Review of ''Mil Mascaras vs. The Aztec Mummy'']
*[http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/mil-mascaras-resurrection/ PopMatters Review of ''Mil Mascaras vs. The Aztec Mummy'']
*[http://www.santoandfriends.com Santoandfriends.com]
*[http://www.santoandfriends.com Santoandfriends.com]
*[http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/m/milmasca.htm Profile at InternationalHero]
*[http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/m/milmasca.htm Profile at InternationalHero]
* {{professional wrestling profiles}}


{{Navboxes|
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
|list1=
| NAME = Mascaras, Mil
{{Homenaje a Dos Leyendas}}
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
{{Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship}}
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
{{NWA Hall of Fame}}
| DATE OF BIRTH = July 15, 1938
{{WWE Hall of Fame}}
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí]], [[Mexico]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mascaras, Mil}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Mexico}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mil Mascaras}}
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:1942 births]]
[[Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:20th-century Mexican professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century Mexican professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Mexican film actors]]
[[Category:Masked wrestlers]]
[[Category:Mexican professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Mexican male film actors]]
[[Category:People from San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí]]
[[Category:Mexican male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Expatriate professional wrestlers in Japan]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from San Luis Potosí]]

[[Category:People from San Luis Potosí City]]
[[de:Aaron Rodriguez]]
[[Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum]]
[[es:Mil Máscaras]]
[[Category:WWE Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[fr:Mil Máscaras]]
[[Category:NWA Americas Tag Team Champions]]
[[ja:ミル・マスカラス]]
[[Category:NWA Americas Heavyweight Champions]]
[[pt:Mil Máscaras]]
[[Category:Mexican National Light Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:PWF United States Heavyweight Champions]]
[[Category:WCWA World Tag Team Champions]]

Latest revision as of 23:29, 18 December 2024

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Arellano.
Mil Máscaras
Máscaras in 1983
Birth nameAarón Rodríguez Arellano
Born (1942-07-15) July 15, 1942 (age 82)
San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
FamilyDos Caras (brother)
Sicodélico (brother)
Alberto Del Rio (nephew)
El Hijo de Dos Caras (nephew)
Sicodelico Jr. (nephew)
Hijo de Sicodelico (nephew)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Mil Máscaras
Billed height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)[1]
Billed weight245 lb (111 kg)[1]
Trained byDiablo Velasco[2]
José Hérmes
DebutJuly 20, 1963 (1963-07-20)[3]
Retired2019

Mil Máscaras (born Aarón Rodríguez Arellano, July 15, 1942) is a Mexican luchador (professional wrestler) and actor. He is regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of the lucha libre tradition in Mexico – along with El Santo and Blue Demon – and has been described as the first international superstar of lucha libre.[1] Mil Máscaras is considered one of the most influential wrestlers of all time for enhancing and popularizing the lucha libre style around the world, both in the ring and as the star of 20 films. He is also an accomplished artist and cultural ambassador for his native country and has appeared on three of its postage stamps.[4] Although he has never been unmasked and his true identity is generally kept a secret out of respect for lucha libre traditions, his real name is known due to appearing in the credits of the films he has starred in. His ring name is Spanish for "Thousand Masks".

Mil Máscaras was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2010, and the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012. He is a member of one of Mexico's most prominent wrestling families; his brothers José and Pablo respectively wrestle as Dos Caras and Sicodélico. José's oldest son Alberto is a former WWE Champion and currently wrestles as Alberto El Patron. José's younger son Guillermo wrestles as El Hijo de Dos Caras. Pablo's son Aaron is better known as Sicodelico Jr.

Professional wrestling career

[edit]
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Mil Máscaras made his professional wrestling debut on July 20, 1963, in Pachuca. He became popular in Mexico for being one of the best conditioned luchadores in the heavyweight division, which was dominated by foreigners at the time.[5] It was also his size which permitted him to wrestle in the US and Japan under the heavyweight division. Mil Máscaras was one of the first masked luchadores outside of Mexico to play a non-heel role. He rarely resorted to rule breaking, instead relying on his repertoire of moves and counter-moves.[6] Mil Máscaras was also one of the first wrestlers to introduce the high-flying moves of lucha libre, such as the plancha and tope suicida, to Japanese fans.[7] This brought him international fame as one of the first high-flyers, something he was not considered in Mexico where he fell under the mat-power category.

Mil Máscaras made his international wrestling debut in 1968 at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, getting involved in rivalries against the likes of Ernie Ladd, John Tolos, Black Gordman and Goliath. In Mexico City, he unmasked El Halcon in a triangular tournament that included Alfonso Dantés in the 1970s. Owing to the limited spread of news at the time, he repeated the feat in a Japanese ring, winning by submission.

Mil Máscaras performed for All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) during the '70s. In his Japanese debut on February 19, 1971, he defeated Kantaro Hoshino in Tokyo. It was during this time that he had his best-known international feud with American masked wrestler The Destroyer. During the '70s, Mil Máscaras also had feuds with Mexican wrestlers such as TNT, Canek, El Halcon, and Angel Blanco. These feuds took place mostly in Mexico and the US and were broadcast on Spanish language stations in the US, Mil Máscaras was also the heavyweight champion of the IWA wrestling promotion, which was founded by Eddie Einhorn, and still holds the title to this day.

In 1974, Mil Máscaras was the World Champion of the short-lived International Wrestling Association promotion based in New York City. He had major title defenses against competitors such as Ivan Koloff and Ernie Ladd.

Mil Máscaras appeared in World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now called WWE). He performed at Madison Square Garden several times after a ban on masked wrestlers was lifted for him, making him the first masked wrestler in the Garden, he defeated The Spoiler (who was not permitted to wear his mask). During this time, he feuded with Superstar Billy Graham over the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

Mil Máscaras wrestling one of his greatest rivals, Canek, in 2009

Mil Máscaras made many appearances during the 80s and the 90s at the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico. He also wrestled in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where his most notable match was a match with Cactus Jack at Clash of the Champions X: Texas Shootout on February 6, 1990, in the Memorial Coliseum in Corpus Christi, Texas.[8]

On September 10, 1991, at the age of 49, Mil Máscaras won his final title, the WWA (Mexico) World Heavyweight Championship. He held the title until 1994 and assumed a state of semi-retirement after his final reign.[9]

Mil Máscaras' first American pay-per-view appearance was competing in WWF's 1997 Royal Rumble match. He eliminated himself, diving off the top rope out of the ring onto Pierroth Jr., whom he himself had just eliminated. Such a move is common in lucha libre, but it is technically a mistake in the Royal Rumble as it leads to elimination.

On December 5, 2002, Mil Máscaras defeated Manny Fernandez at the inaugural show for Legacy Wrestling Enterprises in Fort Worth, Texas. On July 25, he celebrated his 50th in-ring anniversary to the day by teaming with his brother Sicodelico and his nephew El Hijo De Dos Caras to face one of his greatest rivals, Canek, along with Negro Navarro and Rey Bucanero in a special six-man tag.

Acting career

[edit]

Mil Máscaras also starred in a series of 20 luchador action films beginning with his self-titled debut in 1966 at age 24. In 1966, Mexican movie producer Luis Enrique Vergara was looking for a new "enmascarado" to star in his wrestling/horror movies which were then the rage of Mexican cinema. Mil Máscaras was the first Lucha Libre personality that was created specifically to be a movie star, since his whole persona and flashy look was designed initially for the movies. (His real-life wrestling career followed and grew out of the excitement generated by his film appearances.)

Vergara's two regular movie stars had suddenly become unavailable. El Santo had walked out on him over a contract dispute, and Blue Demon was injured unexpectedly and would require a prolonged time-out. Not wanting to stop making his successful cinematic quickies, Vergara decided to transform Lucha Libre newcomer Mil Máscaras as the star of his next two movies. Mil began a movie career that has continued to this day, appearing in a total of 20 Mexican horror/wrestling/action films.

The first film, simply entitled Mil Máscaras (1966) was shot in black & white and made Mil out to be a sort of super-hero. The film gave Mil Máscaras a comic book-style origin story, which seems to have been somewhat swiped from the then-popular Doc Savage pulp novels that were selling very well in science-fiction bookstores in the mid-60's. According to the script, Mil was an infant who was found clutched in his dead mother's arms in a war-torn area of Europe during World War 2 and was sent to an orphanage. A group of scientists (not affiliated with any particular country) adopts the boy, secretly using him as a guinea pig, subjecting the child to an intensive regimen of physical exercise and mental training as he matures.

When he reaches adulthood, Mil Máscaras is something of a superman (although without actual superpowers); both his mind and his body have been developed to perfection. The scientists then send him out into the world to help downtrodden people everywhere, to fight criminals and to right wrongs, and just basically help make the world a better place.

The plots of the first two films were rather lackluster. In both Mil Máscaras (1966) and its sequel Los Canallas (also 1966), Mil gets to fight a rather ordinary gang of thugs and a crooked fight promoter who are bullying the locals in some backwater burg in Mexico. Mil's second film Los Canallas and all of them thereafter were shot in Color.

Federico Curiel directed Mil Máscaras' next two films in 1968, both of which feature American horror star John Carradine as a bad guy. Mil's missions were becoming a bit more meaningful by this time. In Enigma of Death, Mil faces off against Carradine who plays the leader of an underground Nazi organization (who disguises himself as a circus clown!), while in Las Vampiras, Mil goes up against a secret cult of female vampires led by a very manic Carradine.

In 1970, Curiel directed Mil Máscaras in two of his team-up movies. The Mummies of Guanajuato teamed Mil up with both Blue Demon and El Santo in what became the highest-grossing Mexican wrestler film of all time, pitting the three enmascarados against a group of re-animated mummies.

Mil Máscaras in 2009

The Champions of Justice (also 1970) saw Mil Máscaras in action with fellow wrestlers Blue Demon, Tinieblas, El Medico Asesino and La Sombra Vengadora (who all joined as sort of a super-team to fight monsters, mad scientists, criminals, evil dwarves or whatever else crossed their paths.) The producers employed a gaggle of masked midget wrestlers in a number of their luchador films in the 70s.

Over the next few years, a number of other team-up movies were made, most co-starring Mil Máscaras, who by this time was becoming the "King of the Team-up Movies". Champions of Justice Return (1972) was very similar to the first Champions film, only with El Fantasma Blanco sitting in for El Medico Asesino, El Rayo de Jalisco replacing Tinieblas, and El Avispon Escarlata replacing La Sombra Vengadora. (Mil didn't appear in the third and final "Champions" film because it would've involved traveling to a foreign country where it was filmed.)

However, in 1973, he teamed up again with Tinieblas and El Fantasma Blanco in two more films, Macabre Legends of the Colony and The Mummies of San Angel (which both resemble "Champions Of Justice" films, in spite of the Blue Demon's conspicuous absence from the casts). Theft of the Mummies of Guanajuato (1972) teamed up Mil with the Blue Angel and El Rayo De Jalisco.

Mil Máscaras then co-starred with super-star strongman Sergio Oliva in Black Power (1973). He fought alongside the then-famous Superzan in Vampires of Coyoacan (1973) and later joined forces once again with El Santo and Blue Demon in 1977's Mystery in Bermuda, which most Mexi-cinema fans consider to be the last real entry in the then fading Mexican wrestling/horror genre.

Mil Máscaras in 2012

He also appeared in a solo movie of his own, A Rose in the Ring (1972) and years later, he even teamed up with Santo's son El Hijo del Santo in The Lawless Frontier (1983), making Mil Máscaras the only Mexican superhero to ever co-star with both Santos, father and son. In the late 80's, Mil appeared in two more wrestling films, La Verdad de la Lucha and La Llave Mortal.

In 2024 a Salvadoran bodybuilder Edgar Alexis Pineda played Mil Máscaras in the Salvadoran movie "3 Grandes Personajes" also known in the United States as "Samurai Jack and Mil Máscaras vs. Yumi".

Mil's film career lay dormant after 1990 for 17 years, but he more recently resumed appearing in movies. In 2007, Mil Máscaras starred in Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy (also known as Mil Mascaras: Resurrection),[10] the first lucha film featuring any of the so-called "Big Three" stars of the genre (Máscaras, Blue Demon, Santo) to be produced in English. The film screened at festivals around the world garnering awards and award nominations along with positive critical reviews.[11][12] The film enjoyed almost continuous popularity and publicity for several years after its debut, including two magazine cover articles as late as 2012.[13] He also appeared in a 2008 film entitled Academy of Doom, and a 2015 film called Aztec Revenge.

Public profile

[edit]

Reputation

[edit]

Mil Máscaras has drawn criticism from fellow wrestlers such as Mick Foley[14] and Chris Jericho[15] for his unwillingness to sell moves and put opponents over. In a 2007 shoot interview, Superstar Billy Graham said that, during their series of matches, Mil Máscaras was unwilling to sell properly.[citation needed]

Mil Máscaras has attributed these claims to cultural differences in the sport, saying:

One problem is that in the U.S. some wrestlers focus more on their image than their skills. I understand because I understand the business. I don't criticize them for that, but they should understand that for me wrestling means something more. If a guy doesn't execute a move, I don't pretend that he did. If I miss a move, then I don't ask anyone to make me look good.

— Mil Máscaras, Filmfax, pp.51–52, issue 1, 2012

Legacy

[edit]
Mil Máscaras during his speech of induction at the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame

In 1975, Mil Máscaras was voted as "The Most Popular Wrestler of the Year" by the company that now publishes the US magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[16] Satoru Sayama, the original Tiger Mask, has described Mil Máscaras' impact on Japanese professional wrestling, "If it weren't for Mil Máscaras, there would be no Jushin Liger, no Último Dragón or the Great Sasuke today,".[17] Mil Máscaras' success in the US also paved the way for other luchadors such as Rey Mysterio Jr., who has become one of the most popular luchadors in US wrestling. Even after reaching the age of 70, Mil Máscaras continues to perform sporadically. In 2001, he was inducted into the Southern California Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame.

In 2006, Mil Máscaras was honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club, a fraternal organization of both retired and active wrestlers. The Destroyer, one of Mil Máscaras' legendary rivals, presented him with an award at the event. The Destroyer also commented on Mil Máscaras' wrestling style, "He was the best competitor that I ever wrestled. He never gave you anything – it's true – but I didn't give him anything either. You talk about a shoot or a half-shoot, and that's the kind of match that it was."[18]

On October 7, 2011, Mil Máscaras returned to Japan to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his debut in the country. He teamed with Dos Caras and Original Tiger Mask to defeat CIMA, Último Guerrero and Tiger Mask IV in a six-man tag team match.[19]

In April 2012, Mil Máscaras was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by his nephew Alberto Del Rio.[20]

Personal life

[edit]

Mil Máscaras has never been unmasked in the ring, and like most masked luchadores, he goes to great lengths to conceal his true appearance and personal life. He has two brothers who wrestled, Dos Caras and Sicodélico. He has two sons and two daughters with his first wife, who died in 1975, and two daughters with his second wife, whom he married in 1995. His nephews are Alberto Del Rio (also known as Dos Caras Jr., El Hijo de Dos Caras, and Alberto El Patrón); the current El Hijo de Dos Caras; Sicodélico Jr.; and Hijo Del Sicodelico.

Mil Máscaras is an avid golfer and plays in many charity golf tournaments around the world, including the annual Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament.[21]

Along with pro wrestling, Mil Máscaras is a fan of Japanese martial arts, and has practised judo, aikido, jujutsu, karate and kendo, among others. He trained jujutsu under a Mitsuyo Maeda student, and also trained under Professor Tanaka.[22] Mil Máscaras started learning martial arts as a counter to shoot attempts, and recalls several wrestlers who tried to shoot on him and whom he had to legitimately submit.[22]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

1Ernie Ladd claims to have defeated Mil Máscaras for the title on April 1, 1977,[33] but as of October 2012, Mil Máscaras continues to defend the title in Mexico.[34]

Luchas de Apuestas record

[edit]
See also: Luchas de Apuestas
Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Mil Máscaras (mask) Benny Galant (hair) Mexico City Live event April 22, 1966 [35]
Mil Máscaras (mask) Black Gordman (hair) Los Ángeles, California Live event September 19, 1969 [35]
Mil Máscaras (mask) Bull Ramos (hair) Los Ángeles, California Live event October 10, 1969 [35]
Mil Máscaras (mask) Barón Escarlata (mask) N/A Live event January 2, 1971 [35]
Mil Máscaras (mask) Frankenstein (mask) Tijuana, Baja California Live event 1974 [Note 1][35]
Mil Máscaras (mask) Alfonso Dantés (hair) Mexico City Live event February 22, 1977 [Note 2][35]
Mil Máscaras (mask) El Halcón (mask) Mexico City Live event July 29, 1977 [35][36]
Mil Máscaras (mask) El Halcón (mask) Japan Live event September 13, 1978 [35][36]
Mil Máscaras (mask) Popitekus (hair) Tijuana, Baja California Live event August 1988  
Mil Máscaras (mask) Principe Battu (hair) Dallas, Texas Live event November 20, 1994  
Mil Máscaras (mask) Gran Markus Jr. (mask) Naucalpan, State of Mexico Live event June 29, 1997 [Note 3][35]
Mil Máscaras (mask) Venom (mask) Reynosa Live event March 17, 2007  
Mil Máscaras (mask) El Yuma (mask) Reynosa Live event March 20, 2007  
  1. ^ This was a triangle match that also included Texas.
  2. ^ This was a triangle match that also included El Halcon
  3. ^ This was a triangle match that also included Tinieblas

Filmography

[edit]
Film roles
Year Title Role Notes
1966 Mil Máscaras ("Thousand Masks") First appearance and origin of Mil Máscaras; the only B&W film in the series.
1966 Los Canallas ("The Scoundrels") AKA The Swine, Hell's Angels, or Angeles Infernales; made in color
1968 Las Vampiras ("The Vampire Girls") Co-starring John Carradine
1968 Enigma de Muerte ("Enigma of Death") Co-starring John Carradine
1970 Los Campeones Justicieros ("The Champions of Justice") Co-starring Blue Demon, Tinieblas, El Médico Asesino, and La Sombra Vengadora
1970 Las Momias de Guanajuato ("The Mummies of Guanajuato") Co-starring Santo and Blue Demon
1972 El Robo de las Momias de Guanajuato ("The Theft of the Mummies of Guanajuato") Co-starring The Blue Angel and El Rayo De Jalisco
1972 Vuelven los Campeones Justicieros ("The Champions of Justice Return") Co-starring Blue Demon, El Fantasma Blanco, El Rayo de Jalisco, and El Avispón Escarlata
1972 Una Rosa Sobre el Ring ("A Rose in the Ring") Co-starring Crox Alvarado as "The Black Mask"
1973 Leyendas Macabras de la Colonia ("Macabre Legends of the Colony") Co-starring Tinieblas and El Fantasma Blanco
1973 Las Momias de San Ángel ("The Mummies of San Ángel") Co-starring Tinieblas and El Fantasma Blanco
1973 Los Vampiros de Coyoacán ("The Vampires of Coyoacán") Co-starring Superzan
1973 El Poder Negro ("The Black Power") Co-starring Sergio Oliva
1977 Misterio en las Bermudas ("Mystery in Bermuda") Co-starring Santo and Blue Demon
1983 El Hijo del Santo en la Frontera Sin Ley ("Son of Santo in the Lawless Frontier")
1988 La Verdad de la Lucha ("The Truth About Wrestling")
1990 La Llave Mortal ("The Deadly Key")
2007 Mil Mascaras vs. the Aztec Mummy Himself AKA Mil Mascaras: Resurrection
2007 Academy of Doom Himself
2015 Aztec Revenge Himself

References

[edit]
General sources – Championship Information
  • Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "Mexico". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 389–402. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
General sources – Career
  • Madigan, Dan (2007). "Los Enmascarados (the masked men): Mil Máscaras". Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre& honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperCollins Publishers. pp. 93–99. ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3.
  • "Lucha Libre: Conoce la historia de las leyendas de cuadrilátero". Mil Máscaras (1942) (in Spanish). Mexico. 2008. p. 38. Grandes Figuras de la Lucha Libre.
  • Aguierre, Antonio (1992). "Colosos de Colosos". Mil Máscaras: Anatomia de una gran luchador (in Spanish). Nextitla, Mexico: Fanqueo Pagado Publicacion Periodica. pp. 1–66. 2.
  • Foley, Mick (2000). Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks. HarperCollins. p. 511. ISBN 0-06-103101-1.
Specific references
  1. ^ a b c "Mil Máscaras". WWE.
  2. ^ Madigan, Dan (2007). "Dorada de lucha libre: Las Leyendas, las peleas, los fósforos del resentimiento (the golden age of lucha libre: the legends, the feuds, the grudge matches): Diablo Velasco". Mondo Lucha A Go-Go: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperCollins Publisher. pp. 203–205. ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3.
  3. ^ "Matches « Mil Mascaras « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
  4. ^ "Filmfax" (1). 2012: 48–52. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ Madigan, Dan (2007). "Mil Mascaras". Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperCollins Publishers. pp. 93–99. ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3.
  6. ^ "Mil Mascaras". Puroresu Dojo.
  7. ^ "Interview: Mil Mascaras and Satoru Sayama". Puroresu Dojo.
  8. ^ Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.169)
  9. ^ Slagle, Steve. Photos & Bios – Mil Máscaras Archived 2009-04-01 at the Wayback Machine WrestlingMuseum.com (2000). Retrieved December 8, 2007.
  10. ^ "Mil Mascaras vs. The Aztec Mummy (aka Mil Mascaras: Resurrection)". www.mmvsam.com. Archived from the original on 2018-08-05. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  11. ^ "Mil Mascaras: Resurrection (2007)". PopMatters. October 23, 2008.
  12. ^ "mjsimpson". Archived from the original on 2009-01-23.
  13. ^ "Mil Mascaras vs. The Aztec Mummy (aka Mil Mascaras: Resurrection) | Press". Mmvsam.com. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
  14. ^ Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.169-171)
  15. ^ Jericho, Chris; Fornatale, Peter Thomas (October 25, 2007). A Lion's Tale – Around the World in Spandex. Grand Central Publishing. pp. 109–110. ISBN 978-0-446-58006-9. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  16. ^ Wrestling Information Archive – Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners – Most Popular Wrestler of the Year Archived 2011-09-05 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham". Archived from the original on November 13, 2008.
  18. ^ "CANOE – SLAM! Sports – Wrestling – Race & Hennig go over at Cauliflower Alley Club banquet". Archived from the original on July 22, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  19. ^ "(no title)". iheartdg.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2011-10-08. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  20. ^ Caldwell, James (October 17, 2011). "WWE News: First inductee into 2012 WWE Hall of Fame announced at Smackdown TV taping (w/video)". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  21. ^ "Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation – Golf". Lapmf.org. 2014-05-31. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
  22. ^ a b Interview between Satoru Sayama and Mil Máscaras, Puroresu Dojo, August 3, 1995
  23. ^ "Misc. All Japan Events". Prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
  24. ^ "Induction Weekend 2022 | Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame". IPWHF.
  25. ^ Csonka, Larry (2009-06-09). "NWA Class of 2009". Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  26. ^ Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2006). "(Dallas) Texas: NWA American Tag Team Title [Fritz Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. ISBN 978-0-9698161-5-7.
  27. ^ "N.W.A. American Tag Team Title". Wrestling-Titles.com. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  28. ^ Will, Gary; Duncan, Royal (2000). "Texas: NWA Texas Tag Team Title [Von Erich]". Wrestling Title Histories: professional wrestling champions around the world from the 19th century to the present. Pennsylvania: Archeus Communications. pp. 275–276. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  29. ^ "NWA Texas Tag Team Title [E. Texas]". wrestling-titles.com. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  30. ^ マスカラス兄弟で日本最後の編隊飛行と思われたが、まさかのタッグ王座奪取！ドス・カラスは現役続行に意欲!?. Battle News (in Japanese). December 4, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  31. ^ 東京スポーツ プロレス大賞. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-01-20.
  32. ^ "Mil Mascaras to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame". WWE. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  33. ^ "International Wrestling Association International/World Heavyweight Title". Puroresu Dojo. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
  34. ^ Boutwell, Josh (2012-10-13). "Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly". WrestleView. Archived from the original on 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Enciclopedia de las Mascaras". Mil Mascaras (in Spanish). Mexico. October 2007. p. 33. Tomo III.
  36. ^ a b Centinela, Teddy (July 29, 2015). "En un día como hoy… 1977: Mil Máscaras vs. El Halcón, máscara contra máscaras… 1960: Gori Guerrero destrona a Ray Mendoza". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved July 29, 2015.
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