Hubbry Logo
Carlos CabreraCarlos CabreraMain
Open search
Carlos Cabrera
Community hub
Carlos Cabrera
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Carlos Cabrera
Carlos Cabrera
Carlos Cabrera
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Carlos Rodrigo Cabrera (born October 18, 1959) is a Colombian former newsman and professional wrestling commentator signed to All Elite Wrestling and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. He is best known for his time with WWE, where he was one half of the company's Spanish announce team in which he is the play-by-play announcer. His longtime broadcast partner was the former Ecuadorian professional wrestler Hugo Savinovich, who was the color commentator on the announce team until October 2011. Then, his partner was Marcelo Rodriguez until 2022.

Key Information

Early career

[edit]

Carlos Rodrigo Cabrera was born in Bogotá, Colombia. During his career as a newsman and radio personality, Cabrera has obtained many coveted awards, including the ACE Awards both in Radio and TV categories. Cabrera has one of the most recognizable voices in both Spanish radio and TV in the United States and is constantly used as a voice-over announcer for many important corporations and brand names that wish to advertise their products nationally.

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

World Wrestling Federation/WWE (1993–2022)

[edit]

Cabrera had worked for WWF (now WWE) from 1993 until 2022, and, alongside, Ed Trucco, Hugo Savinovich and latterly Marcelo Rodríguez, was the Spanish announcer on Spanish language versions of Raw, SmackDown, Superstars, NXT, and pay-per-view (PPV) events. Their audio could be accessed in the United States via the SAP feature on most TV sets.

Cabrera and Savinovich had a show on WWE.com called 'WWE En Español (WWE in Spanish), a thirty-minute program that served as a recap of RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and pay-per-view events. The duo taped their one-hundredth episode in April 2006.

Rodríguez was a frequent substitute host of the program until October 2011, when he became permanent co-host following the departure of Savinovich from the company. For a brief period, Cabrera and Savinovich starred in a Spanglish mini-show called 28 Segundos.

In previous years, while working for WWE on its monthly pay-per-views, the announce table at which he has worked with Savinovich and Rodríguez, more commonly known as the Spanish announcers' table, has become a staple in modern professional wrestling as a convenient device on which for wrestlers to execute dramatic moves, such as the piledriver or the Pedigree, which almost always results in the destruction of the table, as it is designed to collapse on impact.

Cabrera and Rodríguez provided live Spanish commentary for all weekly shows from the WWE Television Studios in Stamford, Connecticut, and were at ringside for PPV events. This practice temporarily ended in mid-2006. Originally due to the addition of the now-defunct ECW brand, the announce teams of all 3 brands were present for tri-branded pay-per-views (Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series). During this time, Cabrera and Hugo Savinovich provided commentary for these events from the WWE Television Studios but were still placed at ringside for brand-exclusive PPV events.

When the brand-exclusive pay-per-view concept ended in 2007, the announce teams of all three brands were placed at ringside for all PPV events. Beginning in 2009, a single three-man announce team, composed of announcers from the two current brands, was designated for pay-per-views. Cabrera and Savinovich returned to ringside for PPVs at The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania in 2009. However, they were not reinstated full-time until WrestleMania XXVI in 2010. In October 2011, Savinovich left WWE and Marcelo Rodríguez became the permanent Spanish color commentator and co-host of WWE En Español. Also in October 2011, Cabrera and Rodríguez were at ringside for the tapings of Raw and SmackDown in Mexico City, Mexico. During the SmackDown tapings, Cabrera took part in a WWE.com exclusive in-ring segment where he helped translate Triple H's dialect to the audience as they announced Mil Máscaras as the first inductee to the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2012.

In TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs (2012), the 3MB tag team (Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, and Drew McIntyre) started to mock Carlos and Marcelo in a racist way (Kayfabe), including an attack to Ricardo Rodriguez, only to begin a feud with Alberto Del Rio, signalling a face turn for the Mexican duo.[2]

Carlos Cabrera had called every WrestleMania as a member of the Spanish broadcast team since WrestleMania X with Ed Trucco, with Hugo Savinovich from WrestleMania XI until WrestleMania XXVII and with Marcelo Rodriguez since WrestleMania XXVIII until 2021.

On February 17, 2022, Cabrera was released from the WWE, after nearly 30 years of working for the company.[3] Two days later, Cabrera would debut at Rey de Reyes for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide along his long-time partner Hugo Savinovich and José Manuel Guillén.[4]

All Elite Wrestling (2024–present)

[edit]

During the April 17, 2024, broadcast of AEW Dynamite it was announced Cabrera had signed with All Elite Wrestling.[5]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Carlos Cabrera

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Carlos Cabrera (born October 18, 1959) is a Colombian-American sportscaster best known for his extensive career as a commentator, particularly in the Spanish-language market. Born in , , Cabrera began his broadcasting career in as a staff announcer at Channel 41 and later worked as a news anchor and , where he received journalism awards for his contributions. Cabrera joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later ) in 1993, becoming the lead Spanish play-by-play announcer alongside color commentator , a role he held for nearly three decades. During his tenure, he provided commentary for major programs including Raw, SmackDown, and events, translating and narrating matches for audiences and earning the nickname "La Voz" for his energetic and passionate style. In February 2022, WWE released Cabrera after 29 years with the company as part of broader staff reductions. He returned to wrestling commentary in April by signing with (AEW), where he continues to serve as the Spanish-language play-by-play voice for their programming, including Dynamite and Collision.

Early life and broadcasting beginnings

Early life in Colombia

Carlos Rodrigo Cabrera was born prematurely on October 18, 1959, in , . He was the oldest of four siblings, including Javier, Amanda, and Patricia, and grew up in a family influenced by media professions. His father, Armando Cabrera Muñoz, was a prominent based in , while his mother, Estela, provided a supportive home environment; she was nearing 90 years old as of 2023 and has been affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Cabrera spent his formative years splitting time between and , eventually completing high school in . From an early age, he was exposed to the world of broadcasting through his father's radio work, which sparked his interest in narration and media. He frequently attended soccer matches of the local team Junior in Barranquilla, where he listened to skilled narrators such as Edgar Perea, further immersing him in the art of sports commentary. His Colombian heritage profoundly shaped his cultural identity and linguistic abilities, fostering native proficiency in Spanish as his primary language. Attendance at the American School in introduced him to English early on, including participation in the school choir, which honed his vocal skills and contributed to his bilingual fluency. These experiences laid the groundwork for his future career in bilingual media.

Initial media career

Influenced by his father's background in sports commentary in , Cabrera developed an interest in . He relocated to the during his last year of high school and earned a degree in biological sciences. Cabrera began his professional media career in the United States at Univision's WXTV (Channel 41) in the New York area, starting as a staff and later serving as a co- for the evening with Don Rafael Pineda. He also worked as a reporter and contributor to radio programs, focusing on timely reporting and narrative storytelling in Spanish-language media. These roles honed his abilities in live broadcasting and voice modulation, essential for radio personalities handling segments and public affairs discussions. He adapted by taking on positions at local stations, serving as a for both radio and television outlets, where he covered community stories and general for audiences. This phase marked his shift toward more structured on-air reporting and production work, building a foundation in bilingual media before advancing further.

World Wrestling Entertainment career (1993–2022)

Entry into WWE and early roles

Carlos Cabrera joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), the predecessor to , in 1993 as its lead Spanish-language play-by-play commentator, leveraging his prior experience as a news reporter, co-anchor at WXTV Channel 41, and weekend sports anchor at . His hiring marked the expansion of WWF's outreach to Spanish-speaking audiences in and the , where he provided commentary for flagship programs like Raw and pay-per-view events from the outset. In his early years, Cabrera adapted to the fast-paced, theatrical nature of broadcasting, focusing on translating and narrating matches in real-time for international feeds. He collaborated with partners such as to deliver synchronized Spanish audio tracks, ensuring accessibility for viewers during major events. By 1998, Cabrera expanded his role to host WWF Super Astros, a Spanish-language syndicated program featuring mid-card talent and interviews, which aired primarily for Latin American markets and helped build WWF's regional presence. This period established Cabrera as a foundational voice in WWE's Spanish-language division, calling numerous WrestleManias and premium live events during this time.

Key partnerships and major events

Throughout his nearly three-decade tenure with WWE, Carlos Cabrera formed one of the most enduring partnerships in Spanish-language wrestling commentary alongside Hugo Savinovich, spanning from 1993 to 2011. Together, they provided play-by-play and color commentary for numerous live events and pay-per-views, becoming synonymous with high-energy calls that amplified the drama of in-ring action. Their duo was particularly renowned for memorable announce table spots, where they often oversold destructions with exclamations of shock and excitement, turning routine bumps into viral moments for Spanish-speaking audiences. One iconic example occurred at King of the Ring 1998, when The Undertaker threw Mick Foley off the Hell in a Cell structure, sending him crashing through their announce table from over 20 feet above, prompting Cabrera and Savinovich to react with visceral horror that captured the match's brutality. Cabrera and Savinovich's collaboration extended to calling pivotal matches across major events, including early instances of table spots like Bret Hart's crash through the Spanish announce table during his Iron Man Match against Diesel at Survivor Series 1995, which left Cabrera with a knee injury but solidified their table's reputation as a frequent casualty. Their enthusiastic style also shone in triple-threat spectacles, such as The Rock versus Triple H versus Kurt Angle at SummerSlam 2000, where an unexpected table break mid-match elicited their signature over-the-top reactions. These moments, along with their coverage of Attitude Era rivalries, helped bridge cultural gaps by making WWE's intensity accessible and thrilling to Latino fans. In October 2011, following Savinovich's departure from , Cabrera transitioned to a new partnership with as his , a pairing that continued through the remainder of his career. Rodríguez, previously a substitute and , brought a fresh dynamic to the booth, with Cabrera guiding him through high-stakes spots like Big Show's 440-pound body slam through the table at Money in the Bank 2012. This duo maintained the tradition of lively commentary while adapting to 's evolving product. Cabrera's work with both partners encompassed commentary for over 25 WrestleManias, starting from in 1994 and continuing consecutively through in 2021, as well as numerous Royal Rumbles and other premium live events. He called iconic matches such as The Undertaker's encounters and table-heavy brawls, contributing to the Spanish broadcast's role in WWE's global expansion among Hispanic viewers.

Release from WWE

In February 2022, released Carlos Cabrera after 29 years with the company, as part of a series of talent and staff cuts that year. The announcement came on February 17, concluding Cabrera's long-term contributions to 's Spanish-language broadcasts, which had spanned major events like , Raw, and SmackDown. Cabrera expressed gratitude for his WWE tenure in a public statement shortly after the release, describing it as an "incomparable honor" to have narrated more WrestleManias, Raws, and SmackDowns than any other announcer. His former broadcast partner, , voiced surprise and disappointment, calling the decision "horrible" and lamenting the end of an for Spanish commentary after Cabrera's 29 years of professional integrity and service. Following his departure, Cabrera took a brief hiatus before making short-term media appearances in wrestling, including his debut as an announcer for at the event on February 19, 2022. He later provided commentary for events such as Ric Flair's final match in July 2022.

All Elite Wrestling career (2024–present)

Signing with AEW

On April 17, 2024, President announced that veteran wrestling commentator Carlos Cabrera had signed a contract with the company to join its Spanish-language commentary team. The announcement was made via Khan's post during that night's episode of , marking Cabrera's official entry into the promotion after nearly three decades with . Cabrera's decision to join AEW stemmed from his desire to resume providing Spanish-language coverage for following a hiatus after his 2022 release from , where he had served as the primary Spanish announcer for major events. In response to the signing, Cabrera expressed his excitement, stating he was "thrilled to be #AllElite and at the @AEW Spanish announcers’ table," highlighting his eagerness to contribute his expertise to the promotion's broadcasts. Cabrera integrated swiftly into AEW programming, making his debut as a commentator on the same April 17, 2024, episode of alongside the existing Spanish announce team. This immediate involvement allowed him to begin calling key matches and segments, setting the stage for his ongoing role in enhancing accessibility for Spanish-speaking audiences.

Current commentary duties

Since signing with in 2024, Carlos Cabrera has served as the primary Spanish-language play-by-play commentator for , providing energetic and detailed narration for the show's weekly matches and segments. His duties extend to select other programming, including contributions to episodes focused on international talent, where he emphasizes storytelling and athlete backgrounds in Spanish broadcasts. In this role, Cabrera has adapted his veteran style to AEW's dynamic presentation, incorporating rapid-fire calls for high-flying maneuvers and faction rivalries that define the promotion's in-ring action. For instance, during the June 11, 2025, episode of titled Summer Blockbuster, he conducted an in-ring interview to promote the AEW-CMLL partnership, highlighting luchadores like Atlantis Jr. This event underscored his ongoing involvement in episodes tied to major cross-promotional storylines, maintaining his signature passionate delivery for Spanish-speaking audiences. Cabrera's commentary work continues to support AEW's global outreach, with consistent appearances on Collision through November 2025, including major events like Revolution and Dynasty earlier in the year, ensuring accessible coverage of title defenses and multi-man matches without overlapping the English broadcast team led by figures like Tony Schiavone.

Awards and legacy

Professional awards

Carlos Cabrera earned recognition for his early work in through ACE Awards from the Asociación de Cronistas del Espectáculo in both radio and television categories, honoring excellence in and reporting during the and . These accolades highlighted his contributions as a and in , where he was noted for his distinctive voice and journalistic prowess before transitioning to commentary. No formal wrestling-specific awards, such as industry honors for longevity or fan-voted recognitions, have been documented in his career up to 2025.

Influence on Spanish-language wrestling commentary

Carlos Cabrera played a pivotal role in pioneering Spanish-language commentary for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), beginning in 1993 and serving as the play-by-play announcer for nearly three decades, which helped establish dedicated broadcasts for Spanish-speaking audiences worldwide. His work, often alongside color commentator Hugo Savinovich, provided passionate and culturally attuned narration that resonated during key eras like the Attitude Era, making WWE accessible and engaging for Latino viewers. By catering to this demographic, Cabrera contributed to WWE's expansion of its global appeal, as the Hispanic market in the United States alone encompassed 62.5 million people as of 2021, a group projected to grow to over 70 million by 2031 and representing a major revenue source for the industry. Known affectionately as "La Voz" (The Voice) among fans and peers, Cabrera's distinctive style and longevity cemented his legacy as an iconic figure in Spanish wrestling commentary, earning widespread recognition for his enthusiastic delivery that amplified the excitement of matches for generations of listeners. Upon his 2022 release from after 29 years, former partner publicly decried the decision as "horrible," highlighting Cabrera's irreplaceable contributions and the emotional impact on the Latino wrestling community. Savinovich's sentiments echoed broader tributes, underscoring Cabrera's role in shaping the standard for bilingual broadcasting in . In 2024, Cabrera's signing with (AEW) further extended his influence, bolstering the promotion's Spanish-language commentary team and promoting greater diversity in its broadcasting efforts as of 2025. His addition has enhanced accessibility for Spanish-speaking fans, aligning with AEW's strategy to broaden its appeal in international markets, including , and serving as a model for future commentators seeking to bridge cultural gaps in the sport.

References

  1. https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/carlos-cabrera.html
  2. https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/everything-know-carlos-cabrera-got-released-29-years
  3. https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2024/4/17/24133710/aew-hires-long-time-wwe-spanish-language-announcer-carlos-cabrera
  4. https://www.sescoops.com/news/aew/carlos-cabrera-is-all-elite-after-27-years-with-wwe/
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3lerml-SvA
  6. https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/espectaculos-y-tv/tv/2022/02/17/carlos-cabrera-es-despedido-tras-29-anos-relatando-en-espanol-para-la-wwe.shtml
  7. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1479223-carlos-cabrera-giving-credit-to-the-hardest-working-announcer-in-wwe-today
  8. https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/wwe-fires-longtime-spanish-language-announcer-carlos-cabrera/
  9. https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-la-voz-cabrera
  10. https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-spanish-announcer-carlos-cabrera-released-2022/
  11. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/02/wwe-reportedly-released-carlos-cabrera-due-to-his-age/
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8914806/
  13. https://www.wwe.com/classics/tales-from-the-spanish-announce-table
  14. https://www.pwinsider.com/article/155914/longtime-announcer-gone-from-wwe.html?p=1
  15. https://www.cinemablend.com/television/all-the-wwe-superstars-and-on-air-talent-who-left-the-company-in-2022
  16. https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-it-s-horrible-ex-wwe-announcer-carlos-cabrera-s-release-29-year-stint-exclusive
  17. https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/hugo-savinovich-calls-wwe-horrible-for-releasing-carlos-cabrera-after-29-years
  18. https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1281087-carlos-cabrera-to-join-aaa-broadcast-team
  19. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/carlos-cabrera-signs-aew/
  20. https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1465343-carlos-cabrera-signs-with-all-elite-wrestling
  21. https://prowrestlingnewshub.com/aew-news/former-wwe-name-carlos-cabrera-comments-on-his-surprising-switch-to-aew/
  22. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1564836/former-wwe-broadcaster-joins-aew-spanish-commentary-team/
  23. https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/carlos-cabrera-signs-with-aew-joins-spanish-commentary-team/
  24. https://slamwrestling.net/report/aew-collision-a-summer-blockbuster-has-a-final-reckoning/
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35527157/fullcredits/
  26. https://slamwrestling.net/news/wwe-releases-carlos-cabrera/
  27. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1178420/former-wwe-announcers-criticize-the-current-state-of-spanish-commentary-in-wrestling/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.