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Pedro Aguayo Damián (18 January 1946 – 3 July 2019), better known as "(El) Perro Aguayo" (Aguayo the dog) and El Can de Nochistlan (The Nochistlan Dog), was a Mexican wrestler through the 1970s to the 1990s.

Key Information

Aguayo was the first person crowned the WWF Light Heavyweight Champion, though pre-1997 title reigns are not included in WWE's official history for that title. In 2012, Aguayo was inducted into the AAA Hall of Fame. Aguayo was notably the last major rival of El Santo. Often prone to blading, Aguayo has been described by American pundits[citation needed] as a cross between Terry Funk and Bruno Sammartino (for his willingness to brawl and overpower opponents). One of the biggest box office attractions in lucha libre history, prominent professional wrestling journalist and historian Dave Meltzer described Aguayo as "one of the hardest working and most charismatic wrestlers ever".[3]

Aguayo's son also wrestled as Perro Aguayo Jr. or El Hijo del Perro Aguayo ("The Son of Perro Aguayo").

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Aguayo was synonymous with the Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) as one of its top heels and one of the top heels in lucha libre overall. In the 1990s, Aguayo helped found Asistencia Asesoría y Administración, later known simply as AAA, and his three-way feud with Konnan and Cien Caras proved to be one of the most successful programs in terms of box office receipts. He stayed with AAA until 2000, even making an appearance on WWF's Royal Rumble in 1997 in a match that featured lucha libre legends like El Canek, Mil Máscaras and up and comers who would later make names for themselves like Héctor Garza and Heavy Metal. He came to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre to feud with Los Capos. He was successful in taking the hair of Cien Caras and Máscara Año 2000 but he lost his slated retirement match against Universo 2000. He remained in retirement until his son began feuding with Los Capos as well. Cien Caras claimed he could not retire until his business with Aguayo was finished so a double hair vs. hair match was set with Perro Aguayo and Perro Aguayo Jr. taking on Cien Caras and Máscara Año 2000. The Aguayos were successful and Perro Aguayo returned to retirement and Cien Caras went into semi-retirement.[citation needed]

On 5 August 2012, at Triplemanía XX, Aguayo was inducted into the AAA Hall of Fame.[4]

Personal life

[edit]

He was the father of the Los Perros del Mal stable founder Perro Aguayo Jr., who died on 21 March 2015, during a wrestling match at the age of 35.[5][6]

Death

[edit]

On 3 July 2019, Aguayo died at the age of 73, his death was announced through a social media post by the "Los Perros del Mal" account.[7] According to them, his death was caused by a heart attack.[8] His funeral was held on 4 July in Guadalajara at a Funeraria Gayosso.[9] On 5 July, a mass was held for Aguayo at the Parque Funeral Colonias de Guadalajara, the same place where in 2015 he farewell his son Perro Aguayo Jr., with the attendance of family, friends and fans before ultimately being cremated.[10]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]
  • PWI ranked him # 38 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.

Luchas de Apuestas record

[edit]
See also: Luchas de Apuestas
Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Cucho Villa (hair) Perro Aguayo (hair) Oblatos, Jalisco Live event 1970  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Luis Mariscal (hair) Guadalajara, Jalisco Live event 24 December 1972  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Guillermo Valle (hair) Guadalajara, Jalisco Live event 4 September 1973  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Karloff Lagarde (hair) Tijuana, Baja California Live event 8 June 1974  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Carlos Mata (hair) N/A Live event 15 June 1974  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Ringo Mendoza (hair) Mexico City 19. Aniversario de Arena México 24 May 1975 [30]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Marty Jones (hair) Mexico City Super Viernes 13 June 1975  
El Santo (mask) Perro Aguayo (hair) Mexico City EMLL 42nd Anniversary Show 3 October 1975 [31]
Ringo Mendoza (hair) Perro Aguayo (hair) Guadalajara, Jalisco Live event 26 May 1976  
El Faraón (hair) Perro Aguayo (hair) Mexico City EMLL 43rd Anniversary Show 24 September 1976 [31]
El Faraón and Ringo Mendoza (hair) Perro Aguayo and Joe Polardi (hair) Mexico City Live event 9 December 1977  
El Solitario (mask) Perro Aguayo (hair) Mexico City Live event 10 September 1978  
René Guajardo (hair) Perro Aguayo (hair) Mexico City Live event 29 June 1980 [32]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Tony Salazar (hair) Mexico City EMLL 49th Anniversary Show 17 September 1982 [31]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Negro Navarro (hair) Tijuana, Baja California Live event 27 May 1983  
Perro Aguayo (hair) El Texano (hair) Tijuana, Baja California Live event 15 July 1983  
Villano III (mask) Perro Aguayo (hair) Naucalpan, Mexico State Live event 21 August 1983  
Sangre Chicana (hair) Perro Aguayo (hair) Mexico City Live event 28 February 1986 [33]
Perro Aguayo (hair) El Faraón (hair) Monterrey, Nuevo León Live event 26 October 1986  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Kato Kung Lee (hair) Los Angeles, California Live event December 1986  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Sangre Chicana (hair) Mexico City Live event 15 February 1987 [33]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Scorpio (hair) Naucalpan, Mexico State Live event 30 August 1987  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Babe Face (hair) Mexico City Live event 6 December 1987  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Sangre Chicana (hair) Monterrey, Nuevo León Live event 20 December 1987  
Villano III (mask) and Perro Aguayo (hair) Black Power I and Black Power II (masks) Naucalpan, Mexico State Live event 5 May 1988  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Gran Markus (hair) Monterrey, Nuevo León Live event April 1988  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Diablo Rojo (mask) Villahermosa, Tabasco Live event June 1988  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Ultraman (hair) Mexico City Live event 16 July 1988  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Luis Mariscal (hair) Guadalajara, Jalisco Live event 15 January 1989  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Sangre Chicana (hair) Tijuana, Baja California Live event 27 January 1989  
Perro Aguayo (hair) El Indómito (hair) Naucalpan, Mexico State Live event May 1989  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Adorable Rubí (hair) Naucalpan, Mexico State Live event May 1989  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Lobo Rubio (hair) N/A Live event June 1989  
Perro Aguayo (hair) El Globo Humano (mask) Naucalpan, Mexico State Live event 29 July 1990  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Sangre Chicana (hair) Mexico City Live event November 1990  
Perro Aguayo and Ringo Mendoza (hair) The Texas Rangers (masks) Mexico City Live event 3 March 1991 [34]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Konnan (mask) Mexico City EMLL Live event 22 March 1991  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Negro Navarro (hair) Naucalpan, Mexico State Live event 2 June 1991  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Coloso Colosetti (hair) Matamoros, Tamaulipas Live event 26 June 1991  
Perro Aguayo (hair) Stuka (mask) Monterrey, [Nuevo León Live event 1 August 1991 [c]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Stuka (hair) Monterrey, Nuevo León Live event 8 August 1991  
Konnan (hair) Perro Aguayo (hair) Mexico City Live event 6 September 1991 [d]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Máscara Año 2000 (mask) Mexico City Triplemanía I 30 April 1993 [35]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Nikozuna (hair) Mexico City Live event 22 September 1995 [e]
Perro Aguayo (hair) El Cobarde II (hair) Naucalpan, Mexico State Rey de Reyes 7 March 1999 [f]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Bestia Salvaje (hair) Mexico City 44. Aniversario de Arena México 14 April 2000 [30][36]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Cien Caras (hair) Mexico City Sin Piedad 15 December 2000 [37]
Perro Aguayo (hair) Máscara Año 2000 (hair) Tijuana, Baja California Live event 2 February 2001  
Universo 2000 (mask) Perro Aguayo (hair) Mexico City Juicio Final 30 March 2001 [38]
Perro Aguayo and Perro Aguayo Jr. (hair) Cien Caras and Máscara Año 2000 (hair) Mexico City Homenaje a Dos Leyendas 18 March 2005 [39][40]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Perro Aguayo

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Pedro Aguayo, better known by his ring name Perro Aguayo, was a legendary Mexican professional wrestler renowned for his aggressive () style and contributions to , spanning a career of over 35 years from 1970 until his retirement in 2008. Born Pedro Aguayo Damián on January 18, 1946, in Nochistlán de Mejía, , , he earned his nickname "Perro" (Spanish for "") due to his ferocious in-ring persona and brawling tactics, which set him apart as one of the most charismatic and violent figures in Mexican wrestling history. Aguayo passed away on July 3, 2019, at the age of 73 in Tala, , . Aguayo debuted on May 10, 1970, after training under luminaries such as Apolo Romano and , quickly rising to prominence in Mexico's major promotions including Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL, later CMLL), (UWA), Lucha Libre Internacional (LLI), and (AAA), where he also worked internationally with organizations like (NJPW), World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and (WCW). His career was defined by intense rivalries with icons such as , , , , , , and Máscara Año 2000, often culminating in high-stakes apuestas matches involving hair or masks, where Aguayo secured numerous victories that solidified his reputation as a dominant force. He was instrumental in popularizing hardcore elements in , including the use of weapons and bloody feuds, while also transitioning between and técnico (face) roles to maintain his star power. Among his most notable achievements, Aguayo captured the NWA World Middleweight Championship three times, starting with his first reign in 1975 by defeating Ringo Mendoza in a tournament, and became the inaugural WWF Light Heavyweight Champion in 1981, holding it multiple times during cross-promotional events. He also won the UWA World Heavyweight Championship, WWA World Heavyweight Championship three times, Mexican National Heavyweight Championship, and Mexican National Tag Team Championship twice alongside his son, Perro Aguayo Jr., among over a dozen other titles across various promotions. Beyond the ring, Aguayo founded the influential Perros del Mal stable in AAA, which later inspired an independent promotion, and appeared in Mexican films such as Los Justicieros, further cementing his cultural impact as one of lucha libre's "big four" alongside El Santo, Blue Demon, and Mil Máscaras. His legacy endures through his family's continued involvement in wrestling and his induction into halls of fame, including the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996.

Early life and training

Childhood and family background

Pedro Aguayo Damián was born on January 18, 1946, in Rancho La Virgen, a rural area of , , , into a working-class family of campesinos facing significant economic challenges. His parents were José Santana Aguayo Rendón, a and , and Gabina Damián Puentes, who managed the household amid the hardships of post-revolutionary rural life. The family later relocated to and, in the 1950s, migrated to Guadalajara seeking better opportunities due to the lingering effects of economic instability in the region. Around age 10, Aguayo moved to , where he took on various jobs including shoemaking and baking while beginning to box for extra income. Aguayo's childhood was marked by poverty and manual labor from a very young age, as the family struggled with penurias y carencias (penury and deprivation). At five years old, he began working to contribute to the household, tasks including loading travelers' luggage and selling candies on the streets to help support his parents and siblings after facing severe economic hardships. These early experiences in rural exposed him to the rigors of survival, with limited resources forcing the family to prioritize basic needs over other aspects of upbringing. Due to these family obligations, received only limited formal education, completing just the second grade before leaving school to focus on work. Growing up in this environment, he had early exposure to local wrestling events in rural , which later influenced his interests. He was part of a large ; while records indicate his parents had up to 16 children in total, many did not survive infancy due to the harsh conditions of rural life, leaving him with five surviving siblings—three sisters and two brothers.

Wrestling training and influences

In his early twenties, Pedro Aguayo Damián transitioned from manual labor and to pursuing a career in , initially through sessions at a local gym in after being invited by a co-worker named José Luis Aguilera, known in the ring as . This shift was facilitated by his encounters with established trainers, including Apolo Romano and the renowned , who recognized Aguayo's raw physical potential during informal workouts. Aguayo's training regimen began around 1967 with initial amateur sessions at El Gimnasio Gloria in , followed by professional training under Velasco's guidance in Guadalajara, which was intensely physical and demanding, focusing on building endurance and strength for a grounded, brawling approach rather than the high-flying aerial maneuvers common in traditional . The sessions, which also involved Jesús Ramírez Ángel (a fellow trainee who later became "El Ídolo"), pushed Aguayo to his limits from the outset; his first day left him bedridden for several days due to the grueling exercises emphasizing takedowns, strikes, and resilience in close-quarters combat. This formative period honed a style rooted in the aggressive, street-fighter ethos of Mexican (heel) wrestling traditions, drawing from Velasco's emphasis on authentic, hard-hitting confrontations over theatrical flips. During these early training bouts in local gyms, Aguayo earned his enduring "Perro" () moniker after ferociously overpowering an opponent in a sparring session, a that captured his tenacious and unrelenting and was later insisted upon by promoters for his professional debut. The physical toughness he developed through childhood farm work and odd jobs proved invaluable in enduring the regimen's rigors, allowing him to progress from amateur exhibitions to professional readiness by 1970.

Professional wrestling career

Debut and early career

Pedro Aguayo, having trained under luminaries such as and Apolo Romano, made his professional wrestling debut on May 10, 1970, in , adopting the "Perro Aguayo" and immediately establishing himself as a () character. The name "Perro," meaning "dog" in Spanish, reflected his origins in , , and he embraced it fully from the outset, using it to craft a distinctive that set him apart from the traditional masked luchadores of the era. In his early years, Aguayo worked primarily in regional promotions across and , where he faced mid-card technicians in local arenas and quickly built a reputation for his hardcore brawling approach. His matches often involved intense, physical confrontations that emphasized street-fighting tactics over aerial maneuvers, earning him acclaim as a main eventer in Guadalajara by 1971. Notable early bouts included rivalries with local wrestlers like Ringo Mendoza, culminating in Aguayo's victory in the Occidente in 1972, which solidified his standing in these circuits. Aguayo's initial character development centered on dog-themed taunts, such as barking and aggressive posturing, paired with his unmasked, rugged appearance to embody the "El Can de " (The Dog from Nochistlán) archetype. This style differentiated him from the more stylized, technical wrestlers dominant in , allowing him to connect with audiences through raw intensity and provocation. By the mid-1970s, around 1974, he transitioned to the full-time roster of Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL) in , marking the end of his formative regional phase and the beginning of broader exposure.

Rise to prominence in major promotions

In 1975, Perro Aguayo transitioned to the newly formed (UWA), where he quickly established himself as one of the promotion's premier (villain) wrestlers, known for his hard-hitting, brawling style that drew large crowds to El Toreo de arena. His move aligned with UWA's founding by Promociones Mora on January 29, 1975, and Aguayo's early successes, including defeating Ringo Mendoza for the on July 4, 1975, helped solidify his status as a top antagonist in Mexican . Aguayo played a pivotal role in the UWA's expansion during the late and , becoming a cornerstone draw through high-profile feuds and championship reigns, such as his UWA World Junior Championship win over on April 22, 1979. The promotion's growth was bolstered by international tours, particularly to , where Aguayo competed for in 1979, facing top talents like and in marquee matches that showcased lucha libre's global appeal. He also appeared in (WCW) events in 1990 and co-promoted in 1994. These excursions, including his victory in a tournament to become the inaugural WWF Champion on March 27, 1981, by defeating Hamada, elevated UWA's prestige and introduced Aguayo to broader audiences. By the early 1990s, following the UWA's decline, Aguayo shifted to the newly established Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA), where he was instrumental in its founding alongside promoter in 1992, helping to launch the promotion as a rival to established companies like CMLL. His presence as a veteran star contributed to AAA's rapid rise, highlighted by his main event victory over Máscara Año 2000 in a hair-vs.-mask match at I on April 30, 1993, which drew over 24,000 fans and underscored his enduring draw as a icon. Aguayo's influence extended to international cross-promotion when he appeared at the 1997 , representing AAA in a six-man tag team match alongside Canek and against Jerry Estrada, Heavy Metal, and . At the event, he was recognized as the reigning WWF Light Heavyweight Champion—a title he had held multiple times since 1981 through UWA and other affiliations—but later vacated the championship and excluded pre-1997 reigns from its official history upon introducing the division stateside. This appearance marked a significant crossover moment, bridging Mexican and American wrestling promotions during AAA's peak popularity.

Key rivalries and major storylines

One of Perro Aguayo's most defining rivalries was his long-running feud with , spanning the 1970s to the 1980s, which solidified his status as a premier through intense, personal confrontations. Their encounters often escalated to Luchas de Apuestas, with a pivotal mask vs. hair match on October 3, 1975, at where Aguayo lost his hair to after a brutal brawl that highlighted Aguayo's aggressive, brawling style against the iconic técnico. This loss, following an earlier match on September 26, 1975, where Aguayo defeated Santo via foul, propelled Aguayo's popularity by showcasing his willingness to engage in hard-hitting, rule-breaking warfare that blurred traditional boundaries. In the 1990s, Aguayo's rivalry with in AAA became a cornerstone of the promotion's edgy storytelling, marked by betrayal and high-stakes Apuestas matches that drew massive crowds. The feud intensified after Aguayo unmasked Konnan in a hair vs. mask match on March 22, 1991, at , leading to a hair vs. hair match at CMLL's 58th Anniversary Show on September 6, 1991, where Konnan defeated Aguayo to shave his head in a chaotic, controversy-filled bout involving referee disputes and intense physicality. Their AAA conflicts continued with tag team alliances turning sour, culminating in brutal steel cage matches like the one on November 6, 1994, that emphasized themes of loyalty and vengeance in the burgeoning promotion. Aguayo's protracted conflicts with and the stable Los Capos (including and Máscara Año 2000) defined much of his mid-to-late career, featuring vicious street fights and stable warfare that pushed the limits of violence. These rivalries, spanning CMLL and AAA, often involved no-holds-barred brawls spilling into the crowd, as seen in multi-man cage matches and Apuestas clashes, with a landmark hair vs. hair match on December 15, 2000, at CMLL's Sin Piedad event where Aguayo finally defeated to claim his hair after years of animosity. The feuds highlighted Los Capos' monstrous tactics against Aguayo's relentless aggression, creating epic stable wars that influenced AAA's booking during its expansion. Aguayo's storylines innovated the rudo archetype by evolving him into an anti-hero figure, blending ruthless brutality with crowd sympathy through his hardcore style and family dynamics. His frequent blading and street fight willingness transformed the traditional rudo into a more relatable, battle-hardened protagonist, as noted in analyses of his UWA and AAA runs. Family involvement added layers, particularly in later arcs where Aguayo teamed with his son, Perro Aguayo Jr., to win the Mexican National Tag Team Championship on June 7, 1998, in AAA, drawing on generational legacy to target old rivals like Los Capos in emotional "Los Consagrados" narratives. This father-son dynamic not only extended his feuds but also innovated family-centric plots that became staples in Mexican wrestling storytelling.

Later career, retirement, and comebacks

In the early 2000s, Perro Aguayo returned to (CMLL) in 2000 for what was promoted as a retirement tour, during which he engaged in high-profile Lucha de Apuestas matches against members of Los Hermanos Dinamita. He defeated in a hair vs. hair match on December 15, 2000, and Máscara Año 2000 on February 2, 2001, but lost his hair to on March 30, 2001, in a bout billed as his farewell performance. Aguayo made an occasional comeback in 2005, teaming with his son, , to defeat and Máscara Año 2000 in a double hair vs. hair match at CMLL's Homenaje a Dos Leyendas event on March 18, 2005, extending their family feud with the Dinamita stable. Following his departure from in 2000, Aguayo took on a reduced role in the industry, focusing on sporadic independent appearances and mentoring younger talent, including guiding his son's development amid ongoing rivalries in both CMLL and AAA. He contributed to stable revivals by supporting 's group during its formation in CMLL. (Note: Used for career timeline confirmation, but primary details from other sources; avoid direct reliance.) Health issues and advancing age led to a slowdown in the late , with Aguayo's final notable in-ring appearance being an eight-man match on July 14, 2007, in , where he teamed with , , and Sicodélico Jr. to defeat El Hijo del , Hijo del Santo, , and . After this, he retired fully from active competition, occasionally making ceremonial appearances such as at AAA's XX on August 5, 2012, where he was honored for his contributions to .

Championships and accomplishments

Professional wrestling titles

Throughout his extensive career spanning over three decades, Perro Aguayo captured numerous championships across various promotions, establishing himself as one of lucha libre's most decorated competitors. His title wins, particularly in the light heavyweight and divisions, highlighted his technical prowess and drawing power, often defended in intense matches that drew massive crowds in and internationally. Aguayo's reigns contributed to his reputation as a bridge between traditional lucha and more hardcore styles, influencing generations of wrestlers. Aguayo's most notable early achievement was winning the three times between 1975 and 1978, with his longest reign lasting 476 days from July 4, 1975, to October 22, 1976. These victories solidified his status in Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL), where he bested top talents like Ringo Mendoza, and the title defenses often featured high-stakes rivalries that elevated the division's prestige. In the Universal Wrestling Association (UWA), Aguayo dominated the light heavyweight categories, securing the UWA World Light Heavyweight Championship once in 1980 for 203 days and the UWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Championship twice, in 1979 (237 days) and 1990. These reigns, defended against rivals like Fishman, were pivotal in UWA's growth during the 1970s and 1980s, showcasing Aguayo's versatility in international tours with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He also held the UWA World Heavyweight Championship briefly in 1988 for 62 days, marking a shift to heavier divisions later in his career. Aguayo was recognized as the inaugural WWF Light Heavyweight Champion in 1981, holding the title seven times through the 1980s with reigns varying from 17 to 254 days, including a notable 183-day run from March 26 to September 25, 1981, after defeating . Although later vacated pre-1997 reigns and does not officially recognize them, these accomplishments underscored Aguayo's global impact and his role in popularizing the style in . Later in his career, Aguayo won regional titles in Mexico, including the Mexican National Heavyweight Championship from February 22, 1998, to February 15, 1999 (358 days). Teaming with his son, , he captured the Mexican National Tag Team Championship twice, including on June 7, 1998, holding it for 329 days until May 2, 1999, in a father-son duo that became a fan favorite and symbolized the family legacy in . Additionally, in AAA, he won the AAA Campeón de Campeones Championship in 1998. Aguayo's championship pedigree was further acknowledged when ranked him #38 in their 2003 list of the top 500 singles wrestlers of all time, reflecting his enduring influence despite semi-retirement by then.

Luchas de Apuestas record

In , Luchas de Apuestas represent high-stakes wager matches where wrestlers bet their or hair, symbolizing a profound commitment to personal honor and the culmination of intense rivalries, often drawing massive crowds and elevating the cultural prestige of the participants. These bouts underscore the dramatic storytelling central to Mexican wrestling, where losing one's mask reveals the wrestler's identity, or shaving one's head marks a humiliating defeat, amplifying the emotional and communal impact. Perro Aguayo established himself as a formidable competitor in Luchas de Apuestas, participating in matches from the late through 2005, with an overall record of 38 wins and 20 losses across 58 matches that highlighted his resilience and aggressive style. His victories often involved unmasking or shaving prominent rudos (heels), contributing to his legacy as a técnico (face) icon who defended his pride fiercely. Key wins included triumphs over in a hair vs. hair match on December 15, 2000, at during CMLL's Sin Piedad event, where Aguayo shaved his opponent's head after a brutal encounter. Earlier, on April 30, 1993, at AAA's inaugural I, Aguayo defeated Máscara Año 2000 in a mask vs. hair stipulation, forcing the unmasking of Jesús Reyes González and solidifying a major with the Dinamita family. Aguayo's notable losses added to the narrative drama of his career, with his first major hair loss occurring on October 3, 1975, against in a mask vs. hair match at , where the legendary enmascarado prevailed, shaving Aguayo in front of a packed audience. Another significant defeat came on March 30, 2001, at CMLL's Juicio Final, when won a hair vs. mask bout, leading to Aguayo's hair being shaved despite the stipulation involving his opponent's mask, which remained intact. These setbacks, including an earlier loss to on February 28, 1986, at , fueled Aguayo's determination in subsequent rivalries. Aguayo also engaged in team apuestas, notably returning from on March 18, 2005, to partner with his son, Perro Aguayo Jr., against and Máscara Año 2000 in a hairs vs. hairs match at , securing a victory that shaved both opponents and marked a family triumph. Other standout wins encompassed unmasking on March 22, 1991, at , ending a heated international .
DateOpponentStipulationLocation/EventOutcomeSource
October 3, 1975Mask vs. HairLoss (hair shaved)
February 28, 1986Hair vs. HairLoss (hair shaved)
March 22, 1991Mask vs. HairWin (mask won)
April 30, 1993Máscara Año 2000Mask vs. HairTriplemanía IWin (mask won)
December 15, 2000Hair vs. HairSin Piedad (CMLL)Win (hair won)
March 30, 2001Hair vs. MaskJuicio Final (CMLL)Loss (hair shaved)
March 18, 2005 & Máscara Año 2000 (w/ Perro Aguayo Jr.)Hairs vs. HairsWin (hairs won)

Personal life

Family and relationships

Pedro Aguayo Damián, known professionally as Perro Aguayo, was married to Luz Ramírez, whom he met in Guadalajara, Mexico, where they built their family home. Their marriage, which began in the mid-1970s following a brief courtship, was marked by a balance between Aguayo's intense wrestling commitments and family priorities; he often took short trips with his wife and children to beaches or resorts for relaxation, despite his demanding schedule that included daily gym training. Aguayo and Ramírez had three children: two daughters and a son, Pedro Aguayo Ramírez, born on July 23, 1979, who later became a professional wrestler under the ring name Wrestling deeply intertwined with Aguayo's family life, as he personally trained his son at his gym in Guadalajara, preparing him for a debut in 1995; the father and son later formed a in AAA, winning the Mexican National Tag Team Championship together on June 7, 1998, and sharing notable matches, including a victory over and Máscara Año 2000 on March 18, 2005. The tragic death of on March 21, 2015, from injuries sustained in a match, profoundly affected Aguayo, marking his last major public appearance at the funeral and reportedly contributing to his declining health in the years that followed. Aguayo's relationships extended to his wife's family, which helped Ramírez adapt to the world, and he often regarded his wrestling peers as an extended family, fostering close bonds through shared training and tours that reinforced a sense of camaraderie amid the profession's rigors.

Other interests and contributions

Beyond his in-ring achievements, Perro Aguayo played a pivotal role in the establishment and early growth of (AAA), joining as one of the promotion's inaugural stars when founded it in 1992 after departing from (CMLL). As a marquee attraction, Aguayo helped elevate AAA's profile by participating in high-profile events that showcased innovative storytelling and intense rivalries, contributing to the promotion's expansion beyond . Aguayo's international tours further advanced lucha libre's global reach, including multiple appearances in with promotions like (NJPW) and matches in the United States and during the 1970s and 1980s. These outings introduced brawling-style elements of Mexican wrestling to international audiences, blending traditional lucha techniques with hardcore influences that influenced wrestlers abroad. His charisma extended to media, where he made cameo appearances in Mexican films such as Los Justicieros (1970) and El Ángel del Silencio (1975), portraying wrestling characters that highlighted the dramatic flair of . These roles capitalized on his rugged persona, bringing greater visibility to the sport through cinema. In his later years following partial retirements in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Aguayo provided guidance to emerging talents, including support for family-oriented stables like the original formed by his son in 2004, though he limited his involvement to advisory capacities amid health concerns.

Death and legacy

Circumstances of death

Pedro Aguayo Damián, better known as Perro Aguayo, died on July 3, 2019, at the age of 73 from a heart attack while in Tala, , . His family announced the via , prompting an outpouring of grief from the wrestling community and fans across . In the years following his and particularly after the of his son in 2015, Aguayo withdrew from public life due to emotional distress. Aguayo's body was laid in wake on July 4, 2019, at Funeraria Gayosso on Avenida México in Guadalajara, , where family, friends, former wrestling colleagues such as Satánico and Khan del Mal, and numerous fans paid their respects. The following day, July 5, a memorial mass was held at Parque Funeral Colonias in Guadalajara, presided over by his nephew, before his body was cremated amid applause from attendees.

Influence on lucha libre and family legacy

Perro Aguayo's contributions to lucha libre were formally recognized with his induction into the AAA Hall of Fame in 2012. This honor underscored his status as a transformative figure in Mexican wrestling, particularly noted for his role as a pioneering rudo brawler whose intense, unyielding style blended raw aggression with crowd-engaging charisma. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer compared Aguayo to American icons Terry Funk and Dusty Rhodes, highlighting his ability to captivate audiences through visceral, hard-hitting performances that elevated the rudo archetype. Aguayo's influence extended deeply into the evolution of lucha libre's stylistic and narrative elements, where he popularized hardcore brawling techniques, including frequent blading and no-holds-barred confrontations that pushed the boundaries of traditional matches. His approach to storytelling also advanced warfare, fostering intense faction-based rivalries that became a staple of Mexican promotions and inspired subsequent groups emphasizing loyalty, betrayal, and chaotic multi-man bouts. This legacy is evident in the formation of , a prominent directly drawing from Aguayo's "Perro" persona and aggressive ethos, which dominated CMLL storylines in the . The Aguayo family legacy perpetuated his impact through his son, Pedro Aguayo Ramírez, known as , who adopted the family and rose to prominence as a leading in AAA and CMLL until his tragic death in 2015. Aguayo Jr. not only carried forward his father's brawling style and stable leadership—founding the original —but also bridged the generational gap in by mentoring younger talents and maintaining the family's reputation for high-stakes, emotionally charged performances. The legacy continues into the third generation with his grandson, Luis Ignacio Aguilar, who wrestles as Varon (previously El Hijo del Perro Aguayo) in AAA as of 2025, upholding the Perros del Mal tradition. As a , Aguayo served as one of lucha libre's greatest box-office draws, consistently filling arenas across and influencing wrestlers across decades with his unmasked, everyman character that resonated beyond the ring. His ability to connect with fans through authentic intensity helped sustain the popularity of the sport, ensuring its transition into modern eras while embodying the enduring spirit of rudo rebellion.

References

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