The new original Netflix series “Mr. McMahon” details the World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE’s) controversial management decisions over the years. However, as problematic as the WWE’s history is, the docuseries is mostly nostalgic for fans from the 2000s, including me. I used to love watching the WWE Divas duke it out in the ring, although I was too young to understand that their storylines were far too objectifying.
One thing the entertainment company got right was its inclusion of Lucha Libres, like Rey Mysterio. His short stature, high-flying style, and distinct Lucha mask made him stand out from a crowd of towering men with a more grunge aesthetic. He helped make Lucha-style wrestling visible to an American audience that otherwise wouldn’t have known about it. It’s the most well-known Latino influence in wrestling history and is widely associated with Mexican origins.
And while we hear so much of the WWE and Mexican Lucha Libres, perhaps it’s time for us to talk about one of wrestling’s biggest Latino stars from a different side of the globe. Meet Puerto Rico’s original WWE star: Carlos Colon.
The Rise of Carlos Colon
Colon first entered the wrestling scene in the late 1960’s. He was hanging out at a gym where two other Latino wrestlers trained: Argentinian Antonino Rocca and Puerto Rican Miguel Pérez. After training to become a wrestler himself, his first match was against Bobo Brazil, a WWE Hall of Famer. He was known for heavy hits and blading– a practice where a performer deliberately cuts his own head during a match to make his injuries look worse.
Colon competed in the U.S. for a few years before returning to Puerto Rico to establish Capitol Sports Promotions, which was later known as World Wrestling Council, in 1974. It became the predominant wrestling organization in the commonwealth.
U.S. wrestlers would go to Puerto Rico just to compete. Ric Flair, Gorilla Monsoon, and Ernie Ladd are just some of the big names he’s faced.
“Anytime a villain would invade Puerto Rico, and challenge their native son, Carlos Colon, it meant emotion,” WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross explains.
The scene on the island was intense. One wrestler, Roadblock, recently described his experience wrestling Colon in his hometown in a podcast. “I get him down on the ground and I’m hitting him… all of a sudden I’m getting pelted with rocks … from all over.” The entire crowd was throwing projectile objects at him. Once Colón overpowered Roadblock, the crowd stopped. “Them Puerto Ricans … they can throw,” Roadblock said.
One rivalry in particular made the Puerto Rican wrestling scene stand out: Abdullah the Butcher. Their matches were so bloody and grueling that they likely wouldn’t make it to air today. In one match, Abdullah tried to blind Colon with ammonia. After a 20-year-long feud, Colón banished Abdullah from the island in 1997.
Keeping It In the Family
Aside from his work on the island, Colón also made appearances in the WWE. He competed in the 1993 Royal Rumble, one of the biggest annual wrestling events. In 2014, the WWE inducted Colón into their Hall of Fame.
Now other members of his family are making their mark on wrestling as well. His sons Carlito and Primo, as well as his nephew, Epico, all worked in the WWE. Carlito would secure the WWE Tag Team Championship with Primo and Epico separately. Carlito also won the Intercontinental and United States Championship.
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One of my youngest wrestling memories was hearing Carlito’s slogan at the start of his entrance music: “I spit in the face of people who don’t want to be cool.” I wanted to be cool like Carlito.
Just this fall, thousands of fans cheered on the elder Colon at a wrestling event celebrating the World Wrestling Council’s 51st anniversary. The comments on TikTok about the Puerto Rican wrestler’s brief appearance show how much he’s still loved. One comment reads, “El papa de los pollitos Carlito Colón,” as a nod to Colón as the head of a wrestling dynasty. Another adds: “Woooooow talk about a legend,” summing up what Puerto Rico’s Lucha Libre fans have known for years. Colon is legend.
