It’s been a rough week for the wrestling community, as yet another former legend has passed away. One of the most famous and influential Mexican stars all of lucha history, it was announced on Wednesday that Perro Aguayo had passed away at the age of 73.
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide se une a la pena que embarga a la familia luchística por el fallecimiento del Integrante del Salón de la Fama AAA, ÍDOLO y LEYENDA de la lucha libre mexicana:
Pedro Aguayo Damián "PERRO AGUAYO"
Descanse en paz. pic.twitter.com/AEY2aQYKiJ
— Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (@luchalibreaaa) July 4, 2019
Perro Aguayo made his debut in 1968 and by 1972 was working for Empresa Mexicana De La Lucha Libre (EMLL – they would become CMLL in the 1990s). In 1976, he would become a major star with Universal Wrestling Association (UWA), where he became a 2x UWA World Light Heavyweight Champion and a 3x NWA World Middleweight Champion. He was the last major rival for El Santo before the legendary lucha godfather retired from the ring.
He made his NJPW debut in 1979, and had several tours throughout the 1980s to Japan. In 1981, he competed in the WWF Light Heavyweight Championship tournament to crown the first champion (at the time WWF was in alliance with NJPW). While the partnership with WWF would disappear when Vince McMahon Jr. took control in 1982, the WWF Light Heavyweight title remained a hot title in Japan and lucha libre. Aguayo held the belt for seven reigns throughout the 1980s. It actually remained being defended in Japan until WWE recalled the title in 1997 to reboot for itself.
In 1992, Aguayo jumped ship from his longtime home of CMLL/EMLL to join Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA), an upstart promotion that was going to challenge CMLL for wrestling domination. AAA was founded by former CMLL booker Antonio Peña. The signed new young stars like Rey Mysterio Jr. and Psicosis, but also brought in many of CMLL’s top stars, like Aguayo, Negro Casas, Octagón and Blue Panther.
Perro Aguayo wrestled for 33 years, finally retiring in 2001. His son, Perro Aguayo Jr., was also a very successful and revolutionary wrestler, who sadly passed away following an accident in the ring back in 2015. He was inducted into the AAA Hall of Fame in 2012.
The staff of Last Word on Pro Wrestling sends our condolences to the entire Aguayo family, friends and peers during this hardship.
We at the CAC send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Don Pedro “Perro” Aguayo, who sadly passed away today. There isn’t enough words that could be said here about him but he definitely was beyond that legendary status, and was loved all over the world pic.twitter.com/bxLtlKiJMI
— CauliflowerAlleyClub (@CACReunion) July 4, 2019
Sorry to hear the passing of Lucha Libre Legend Perro Aguayo
I was in awe when I 1st met him 1995#ECW ran a co show w/Triple A
Terry Funk turned on him and a complete riot ensued pic.twitter.com/UXXphg7xju— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) July 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/Ligero1/status/1146582155239313408
