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Ricky Reyes
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Reyes Nunez (born August 21, 1978),[2] better known by the ring name Ricky Reyes, is a Cuban-American[5] retired professional wrestler.[3] He is known for his appearances in Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, World Wrestling Council, Lucha Underground and various other independent promotions.
Key Information
Professional wrestling career
[edit]Ring of Honor (2002–2006)
[edit]Reyes is one half of the Havana Pitbulls with Rocky Romero. At Ring of Honor (ROH)'s Reborn: Stage One, the Havana Pitbulls made their ROH debut against then tag champions The Briscoe Brothers in a non title match, which they lost. They later joined Homicide's alliance, The Rottweilers. The group also featured Julius Smokes, who would manage Reyes along with the rest of the members.
Reyes and Romero wrestled for the ROH Tag Team Championship at Testing The Limit against the champions CM Punk and Colt Cabana. They won the match and became the new champions.[6] They eventually lost the title to Maff and Whitmer.[6]
Reyes took part in the Trios Tournament in 2005 with partners Romero and Homicide. They won the tournament defeating Generation Next in the final match. The three winners of this tournament got to choose any match they wanted. While Homicide and Romero went after the World Title, Reyes wanted a tag title shot against Tony Mamaluke and Sal Rinauro. He picked Homicide as his partner, but they did not win.
In late 2005, Reyes began fighting students from the ROH Wrestling School. They were no challenge for him, and he defeated them all quickly. He claimed that no one could escape his Dragon Sleeper. These actions angered then head trainer Austin Aries of Generation Next.
At Hell Freezes Over, Austin Aries of Generation Next challenged Reyes to a match. After Aries pinned Reyes, Reyes would not release a sleeper hold and Roderick Strong, a fellow Generation Next member, came out to break things up. A return match was held at Best in the World. The feud came to an end at the 100th Show when Aries and Strong defeated Reyes and Homicide to retain the tag title.
Combat Zone Wrestling (2006)
[edit]
On September 9, 2006, Reyes debuted in Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) and joined The Blackout by helping Eddie Kingston win the CZW World Heavyweight Championship. Reyes left CZW on October 21, 2006 to join Pro Wrestling Unplugged, teaming with Joker at the Pitbull/Public Enemy Tag Team Memorial Cup.
World Wrestling Council (2007–2013)
[edit]He won the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Championship winning an X match against Hiram Tua, Tommy Diablo, Carlitos, Johnny Styles and Angel. He lost the title to Angel on April 18, 2009.
Victory Pro Wrestling (2005-2017)
[edit]Reyes has been competing in New York's Victory Pro Wrestling based out of Long Island, New York. Reyes has been the head training in the promotion and has faced some of Pro Wrestling's finest such as A.J. Styles, and Chris Hero, as well as becoming a grand slam Champion.
He led the group Confluxx, who’s members included EJ Risk, Jay Delta, and Xander Page[7]
WWE (2012)
[edit]On the May 25, 2012 episode of WWE SmackDown, Reyes competed in a handicapped match along with Kevin Bendl on the losing end of a two-man team versus Ryback. Reyes competed under the name Brian Edwards.[1]
Lucha Underground (2014–2019)
[edit]In September 2014, it was reported that Diaz had signed with El Rey network's new show Lucha Underground, that began airing on October 29.[8] He worked the tapings under the ring name Cortez Castro.[2] In Season 2 it was revealed that Castro is an Undercover Los Angeles Police Officer named Reyes, he is also part of a special task force along with Joey Ryan, both on a mission to bring down Dario Cueto. However, Ryan betrayed him and revealed his identity. Castro returned to the Temple as the masked wrestler Veneno, but was discovered by Ryan. On Episode 34, season 03, Castro defeated Joey Ryan to win an Aztec Medallion. On episode 5 of season 04, Castro was killed by Matanza (Jeff Cobb) in a Sacrifice to the Gods match.
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]
- 302 Professional Wrestling
- 302 Cruiserweight Championship (2 times)[9]
- 3KWrestling Fighting Athletes
- 3KWrestling Openweight Championship (1 time)[3]
- Shinya Hashimoto Memorial Tournament (2008)
- 3L! Lucha Libre Live
- 3L! Lucha Libre Live Championship (1 time)
- American Championship Entertainment
- ACE Fight or Flight Championship (1 time)
- ACE Diamond Championship (1 time)
- American Pro Wrestling Alliance
- APWA World Super Junior Championship (2 times)[10]
- Blackball'd Wrestling Organization
- BWO Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Carolina Wrestling Showcase
- CWS Legacy Championship (1 time)[11]
- Eastern Pennsylvania Wrestling Entertainment
- EPWE World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- EPWE Underground Championship (1 time)
- EPWE Underground Title Tournament (2013)
- Empire Wrestling Federation
- Funkdafied Wrestling Federation
- FWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Johnny Gunn
- Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South
- International Wrestling Cartel
- IWC World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[3]
- IWC World Heavyweight Title Tournament (2006)
- National Championship Wrestling
- NCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- North American Wrestling Allegiance
- NAWA Cruiserweight Championship (1 time, final)
- Outbreak Wrestling
- OutBreak Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Pro Wrestling Unplugged
- PWU Tag Team Championship (1 time)[3] – with Joker
- Ring of Honor
- ROH Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rocky Romero[6]
- Trios Tournament (2005) – with Rocky Romero and Homicide
- SoCal Uncensored
- Tag Team of the Year (2001) with Rocky Romero[14]
- Monster Factory Pro Wrestling
- MFPW Supersonic Championship (2 time)
- Susquehanna Wrestling Organization
- SWO Uprising Championship (1 time)
- Deep South Championship Wrestling
- DSCW Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)
- Ultimate Pro Wrestling
- UPW Lightweight Championship (1 time)[3]
- UPW Tag Team Championship (1 time)[3] – with Rocky Romero
- United Pro Wrestling Association
- UPWA Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)
- Victory Pro Wrestling
- World Wrestling Council
- Other promotions
- Southern states Championship (1 time)
- NMRW Championship (1 time)
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Ricky Reyes: Profile & Match Listing - Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Meltzer, Dave (September 15, 2014). "Sept. 15, 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Sean O'Haire dead, Smackdown unmoved, UFC weekend recap, more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 15. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Ricky Reyes". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
- ^ "411Mania".
- ^ "Art of Wrestling interview". TSM Radio. Archived from the original on October 3, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Ring Of Honor Tag Team Championship". Ring of Honor. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ^ "RESULTS: November 20th, 2010 – "Convergence" – Victory Pro Wrestling". Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ Johnson, Mike (September 6, 2014). "First Lucha Underground taping for the El Rey network tonight, updates on all we know". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
- ^ "302 Elimination Wars". CageMatch. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ "APWA World Super Junior Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on February 24, 2015.
- ^ "Carolina Wrestling Showcase - Ricky Reyes Won title from "The Crown Jewel" Chase Owens on September 19,2015 in Mocksville, NC". www.facebook.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023. [user-generated source]
- ^ "Independent Wrestling Results - September 2003". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2005". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
- ^ "SoCal Uncensored Awards 2001". SoCal Uncensored. Archived from the original on February 13, 2005. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
- ^ "VPW Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on January 1, 2015.
- ^ "VPW New York State Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on January 1, 2015.
- ^ "VPW Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on January 1, 2015.
External links
[edit]Ricky Reyes
View on GrokipediaEarly life and training
Childhood and heritage
Richard Nelly Diaz De La Cruz, better known by his ring name Ricky Reyes, was born on August 28, 1978, in Fontana, California.[5] Reyes is of Hispanic descent, raised in a predominantly Spanish neighborhood in Southern California. He adopted a Cuban-inspired gimmick, billing himself from Havana, Cuba, during his wrestling career.[6][7] This background, including growing up in the rough neighborhoods of Southern San Bernardino characterized by poverty, drugs, and gangs, contributed to the development of his identity, particularly in how he approached entertainment and physical pursuits during his early years. Reyes has spoken about experiencing verbal abuse from his parents, with whom he no longer maintains contact, though he remains close to his 95-year-old grandfather. Limited details are available on other aspects of his family background, including parental occupations or siblings, as such information remains largely private. The cultural elements of his Hispanic heritage and community-oriented values played a role in shaping Reyes' formative experiences and his eventual interest in athletic endeavors that led to wrestling training later in life.[6]Wrestling training and debut
Ricky Reyes, drawing inspiration from his heritage and the dynamic athleticism of lucha libre traditions, pursued formal wrestling training under veteran wrestler Jesse Hernández at a school in San Bernardino, California, dedicating daily sessions to mastering the fundamentals of professional wrestling over the next couple of years.[5][8] During this period, Reyes supplemented his initial education by seeking guidance from prominent mentors in the industry, including lucha libre icons Negro Casas and Rey Misterio Sr., as well as strong-style pioneer Antonio Inoki during excursions to Japan. These experiences helped shape his versatile in-ring approach, emphasizing technical precision and aerial maneuvers suited to the high-energy independent scene.[9] Reyes made his professional debut on September 13, 1997, performing on the independent circuit in regional promotions across California. He initially competed under ring names such as Cuban Assassin and Kimbos Rice, reflecting his cultural roots and emerging persona as a hard-hitting technician.[1][4] In his formative matches, Reyes grappled with the rigors of breaking into the industry, often wrestling in modest venues for small crowds while refining his style against local talent. This phase marked the beginning of his 25-year in-ring journey, as he steadily built credibility through persistent performances in the indie landscape before gaining wider recognition.[5]Professional wrestling career
Early independent career (1998–2002)
Following his debut in 1997, Ricky Reyes honed his skills on the Southern California independent wrestling circuit, competing primarily in promotions such as Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW) and Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro). These regional events provided foundational experience, with Reyes participating in multiple matches throughout 2000 and 2001, often showcasing his technical style against local talent.[10] In September 1999, Reyes partnered with fellow wrestler Rocky Romero to form the tag team Los Cubanitos in the Empire Wrestling Federation (EWF), a promotion based in San Bernardino, California. The duo quickly made an impact, being awarded the EWF Tag Team Championship on September 6, 1999, holding the titles for nearly three months before being stripped due to inactivity on December 4, 1999.[11] They recaptured the championships on April 29, 2001, defeating Aggravated Assault (Malice & Mayhem), solidifying their status as a rising act in the regional scene. This partnership marked Reyes' transition toward specializing in tag team competition, with the Havana Pitbulls name emerging from their Cuban heritage-inspired gimmick around 2001–2002 as they expanded bookings.[11] Reyes' early indie tenure also included appearances in other California-based groups like All Pro Wrestling (APW) and Millennium Pro Wrestling (MPW) by 2001, where he engaged in competitive bouts that built his reputation for high-energy performances. Notable among these was his participation in the Revolution J Tournament on September 28, 2001, hosted by RevPro in Anaheim, California, though he was eliminated in the first round by Rising Son. These experiences emphasized Reyes' adaptability in multi-man and tournament formats, laying the groundwork for his later tag team success.[10]Ring of Honor (2004–2006)
Ricky Reyes entered Ring of Honor (ROH) as part of the tag team the Havana Pitbulls alongside Rocky Romero, debuting on April 23, 2004, at Reborn: Stage One in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they competed against the Briscoe Brothers in a non-title match.[12] The duo, known for their hard-hitting, lucha-influenced style, quickly aligned with the Rottweilers stable, which included Homicide and Low Ki, adding a layer of faction warfare to their early appearances.[13] This debut marked Reyes' breakthrough in ROH, building on their prior independent tag team work and positioning them as key players in the promotion's intense tag division.[14] The Havana Pitbulls achieved their greatest success by capturing the ROH World Tag Team Championship on August 7, 2004, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, defeating the Second City Saints (CM Punk and Colt Cabana) in a 19-minute match.[15] Their reign lasted 196 days, the longest in ROH history at the time, during which they made several high-profile defenses, including retaining the titles against Dan Maff and B.J. Whitmer on November 6, 2004, and in a multi-team challenge at Glory by Honor III on September 11, 2004.[16] The team also feuded prominently with the Backseat Boyz (Trent Acid and Johnny Kashmere), engaging in stiff, fast-paced encounters that highlighted ROH's emphasis on pure wrestling athleticism.[14] These rivalries solidified the Pitbulls' reputation for delivering competitive, endurance-testing bouts against top tag teams.[17] The championship run ended on February 19, 2005, at the Third Anniversary Celebration - Part 1 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, when the Havana Pitbulls dropped the titles to Dan Maff and B.J. Whitmer in a grueling contest.[16] Later that year, Reyes, still aligned with the Rottweilers, participated in the inaugural ROH Trios Tournament on March 5, 2005, in Chicago, Illinois, teaming with Romero and Homicide to defeat Generation Next (Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, and Jack Evans) in the finals, showcasing their dominance in multi-man formats.[18] This victory underscored the stable's influence amid ongoing inter-faction tensions.[19] As 2006 approached, Reyes shifted toward singles competition within ROH, competing against emerging talents from the ROH Wrestling Academy, such as in a match against Delirious on April 1, 2006, at Better Than Our Best.[20] This transition reflected evolving storylines and prepared for his eventual departure from the promotion later that year, capping a four-year stint defined by tag team excellence and stable loyalty.[21]Combat Zone Wrestling (2006)
Ricky Reyes debuted in Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) on September 9, 2006, at the Expect The Unexpected event held at the New Alhambra Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His opening match against Justice Pain concluded in a no contest after members of The Blackout stable—Ruckus, Sabian, and Eddie Kingston—attacked both competitors, showcasing the promotion's penchant for chaotic interference. Immediately afterward, Reyes officially joined The Blackout by aiding Kingston in defeating Super Dragon to capture the CZW World Heavyweight Championship, marking his integration into the faction known for its aggressive, hardcore tactics.[22][23] As a member of The Blackout, Reyes contributed to the group's feud with CZW originals, including the notorious H8 Club led by Nick Gage, adapting his technical wrestling style—honed through recent Ring of Honor tag team success—to the promotion's extreme rules environment. This period highlighted his versatility, as he engaged in high-stakes brawls involving weapons and no-holds-barred stipulations, contrasting the pure wrestling focus of his prior endeavors. The faction's involvement in brutal contests, such as the elimination street fight at Cage of Death 8 on December 9, 2006, underscored the intense, deathmatch-oriented landscape Reyes navigated during his stint, though his direct participation was limited by his impending exit.[22][24] Reyes' time in CZW proved short-lived, concluding on October 21, 2006, when he departed the promotion to pursue opportunities elsewhere, including a tag team appearance in Pro Wrestling Unplugged. His brief association with The Blackout added to the stable's dominance in the mid-2000s CZW landscape, emphasizing faction warfare amid the company's ultraviolent reputation.[3]Victory Pro Wrestling and other independents (2005–2017)
Ricky Reyes began competing in Victory Pro Wrestling (VPW), a New York-based independent promotion, in 2005, establishing himself as a key figure in the promotion's early development. Initially appearing as a competitor, Reyes quickly became integral to VPW's growth, facing established talents and contributing to its strong style emphasis. His matches often showcased his technical prowess and resilience, drawing crowds in Long Island venues.[25] From 2008 to 2015, Reyes served as VPW's head trainer after the promotion's training camp relocated to Deer Park, New York, where he mentored emerging wrestlers and hosted seminars with industry veterans to build a rigorous program focused on professional fundamentals. In this role, he laid the foundation for VPW's "Strong Style" approach, emphasizing discipline and in-ring psychology while balancing his training duties with active competition. Reyes' leadership helped develop a new generation of talent, including members of the faction Confluxx, which he co-led.[25][26] Reyes achieved grand slam status in VPW by capturing all of the promotion's major championships across multiple reigns, solidifying his legacy as one of its most accomplished performers. He first won the VPW Tag Team Championship on March 10, 2012, partnering with E.J. Risk to defeat Kevin Tibbs and VSK, holding the titles for 210 days before losing them on October 6, 2012. Reyes secured the VPW New York State Championship once from September 10, 2010, to December 3, 2011, with notable defenses including a successful retention against The Amazing Red on September 17, 2011. His crowning achievement came on December 6, 2014, when he defeated Kevin Tibbs to win the VPW Championship in a best-of-three-falls match, reigning for 91 days until vacating the title on March 7, 2015, thus becoming the third grand slam champion in VPW history alongside VSK and Kevin Tibbs. These reigns highlighted his versatility, from high-stakes singles bouts to tag team dominance, and included defenses against rising stars like VSK in 2013.[27][28][27] Beyond VPW, Reyes maintained an active presence in other independent promotions during this period, including IWA Mid-South, where he teamed with Joker as part of The BLKOUT to win the IWA Mid-South Tag Team Championship on March 1, 2008, in Joliet, Illinois, defeating The Iron Saints (Sal Thomaselli and Vito Thomaselli). This success underscored his tag team expertise in hardcore-leaning environments, bridging his experiences from promotions like Combat Zone Wrestling. Reyes also competed in events for the International Wrestling Cartel and Union of Independent Professional Wrestlers, balancing these U.S. indie dates with international tours, such as appearances in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.[29] Throughout 2005 to 2017, Reyes continued mentoring younger talent in VPW and beyond, using his experience from facing prominent wrestlers like Chris Hero in IWA Mid-South tournaments to guide trainees on adapting to diverse styles. His sustained involvement helped elevate VPW's reputation, even as he navigated a demanding schedule across multiple promotions until scaling back his full-time role by 2017.[25][30]World Wrestling Council (2007–2013)
Ricky Reyes made his debut with the World Wrestling Council (WWC) in 2007, entering the Puerto Rican promotion during a period of territorial wrestling that emphasized intense, crowd-driven performances. His early appearances helped him adapt to the Caribbean wrestling style, which featured faster-paced matches, aerial maneuvers, and deep integration with local audiences, drawing from his background in U.S. independent circuits. This transition highlighted his versatility, allowing him to compete effectively against homegrown talent in singles and multi-man formats.[31] In 2009, Reyes achieved significant success in his singles title pursuits, capturing the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Championship for the first time on March 7 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, by defeating champion Hiram Tua in a singles match. He defended the title successfully in subsequent events before losing it on April 18, 2009, after a 42-day reign marked by defenses against local competitors. Later that year, on September 19, Reyes won the championship for a second time in a high-stakes 7-man X match at a WWC event, overcoming Carlitos, Tommy Diablo, Angel, Chicky Starr, Johnny Styles, and Hiram Tua to claim the belt. This victory underscored his resilience in multi-man stipulations, a staple of WWC programming, though he lost the title to Rikochet in a four-way match on October 31, 2009, after a 42-day reign. These accomplishments positioned Reyes as a key challenger in the junior heavyweight division, with notable feuds against local stars like Hiram Tua and Carlitos that showcased grueling exchanges emphasizing technical skill and high-impact moves.[32][33][34] Reyes maintained an on-again, off-again presence with WWC through 2013, returning for several high-profile events including tag team bouts and multi-man matches at shows like Euphoria and anniversary celebrations. These appearances often paired him with or against established Caribbean wrestlers, contributing to storylines that blended his outsider perspective with the promotion's family-oriented rivalries. His tenure in WWC carried cultural weight, as a Cuban-American performer connecting with Puerto Rican fans through shared Caribbean roots, fostering a sense of regional pride and drawing enthusiastic responses in venues like the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. This period solidified Reyes' reputation in Latin American wrestling circles before shifting focus to other promotions.[35][36]WWE (2012)
In May 2012, following a distinguished independent wrestling career that included multiple stints in Ring of Honor and international promotions, Ricky Reyes earned a tryout with WWE during SmackDown television tapings.[37] The tryouts took place on May 21 in Richmond, Virginia, and May 22 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where Reyes participated as enhancement talent to showcase his abilities.[38] During the Wilkes-Barre session, Reyes wrestled a 15-to-20-minute match against Tyson Kidd prior to the tapings, earning strong praise from officials, including William Regal, who advocated for him extensively.[38] This performance highlighted Reyes' versatility across wrestling styles, honed from global training experiences.[39] As part of the evaluation, Reyes appeared in an untelevised dark match on the May 22 taping—later aired as the May 25 episode of SmackDown—teaming with Kevin Bendl as "Brian Edwards" in a losing handicap effort to Ryback via pinfall.[3] WWE expressed ongoing interest in Reyes through late 2012, with figures like Triple H and Regal supportive of his potential, yet no developmental contract materialized.[40] Reyes later reflected on the experience as stressful due to the uncertainty of WWE's feedback, stating, "What's stressful there is, knowing what to do or not to do. You don’t know if they are interested, if they like you or don’t like you," but noted that after several matches, "all the important people that are there get what I’m doing."[39] He attributed the lack of a deal to timing, explaining, "With them it’s just a timing thing... You’re on their time. They’ll come get you when they’re ready."[39]Lucha Underground (2014–2019)
In September 2014, Ricky Reyes signed with the El Rey Network's Lucha Underground project, marking his entry into the scripted television wrestling format following a brief WWE stint that served as a stepping stone to larger opportunities.[41] Reyes debuted on the show as Cortez Castro during the inaugural tapings on September 7, 2014, portraying a tough, streetwise enforcer from the Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles as part of the faction known as The Crew, alongside Cisco (Cholo), Big Ryck (Ezekiel Jackson), and later Bael.[42] The group positioned themselves as a dominant gang within the Temple—the show's central arena—engaging in intense brawls and tag team matches that emphasized urban grit over traditional lucha libre flair, including a high-profile opener loss to Johnny Mundo and Prince Puma that set the tone for their antagonistic role.[43] Across Season 1, The Crew's storylines revolved around territorial control and betrayals, such as their alliance fracturing when Bael, Cisco, and Castro turned on Big Ryck, leading to multi-man temple battles like the Aztec Warfare elimination match where they clashed with high-flyers such as Aerostar and Argenis.[44] In Season 2, Castro's character deepened with the revelation that he was an undercover LAPD officer investigating promoter Dario Cueto's criminal underworld ties, shifting his alliances from gang loyalty to law enforcement intrigue and culminating in a betrayal by partner Joey Ryan, who sided with Cueto's regime.[45] This undercover arc integrated temple matches with narrative segments, such as Castro's street fight loss to Ryan and subsequent pursuits of Cueto, blending police procedural elements with wrestling action. By Season 3, after exposure, Castro adopted the masked persona of Veneno—a nod to lucha libre traditions—to continue his infiltration, facing off in the Cueto Cup tournament against competitors like Mil Muertes in brutal, mask-vs.-identity bouts that highlighted the show's evolving fusion of American hardcore and Mexican masked wrestling styles.[46] Veneno's run included alliances with anti-Cueto rebels and defeats that advanced the temple's chaotic power struggles, with production emphasizing cinematic lighting and effects to underscore the mystical lucha elements during these masked appearances.[47] Castro's storyline reached a dramatic conclusion in Season 4, Episode 5 ("Sacrificio"), aired July 11, 2018, where he was unceremoniously sacrificed to the monstrous Matanza Cueto by order of new promoter Antonio Cueto as punishment for his past role as a cop, ending in a quick squash match followed by a supernatural disappearance that symbolized the regime's ruthlessness.[48] This on-screen "death" impacted the narrative by escalating Antonio's authoritarian control over the Temple, sidelining undercover plots in favor of darker, mythological arcs and allowing the show to pivot toward pure lucha libre spectacles without Castro's investigative thread. Behind the scenes, the multi-season commitment involved intensive taping schedules in Boyle Heights, where wrestlers like Reyes collaborated with writers to infuse authentic street-level authenticity into the production, contributing to Lucha Underground's reputation for innovative, TV-serialized storytelling.[49]Later independent career (2019–2023)
Following the conclusion of Lucha Underground in 2019, Ricky Reyes returned to the independent wrestling circuit with a series of sporadic appearances, leveraging his prior television exposure to secure bookings across various promotions. His activity remained limited, reflecting a selective approach to matches amid a winding down of his in-ring schedule. In January 2019, Reyes competed in the Bruiser Brody Cup tournament for an independent event in the United States, participating in a six-way match won by Zane Dawson.[3] Reyes' 2021 schedule included a title challenge in the Heroes & Legends Wrestling promotion, where he unsuccessfully competed for the HLW Cruiserweight Championship against champion Cody Lee on April 24. The following year, he expanded his independent work with notable appearances under the masked persona Black Tiger VIII for New Japan Pro-Wrestling's NJPW STRONG brand. On February 17, 2022, Black Tiger defeated Rocky Romero in a singles match taped for the promotion. He followed this with a tag team victory alongside J.R. Kratos over Romero and Wheeler YUTA on March 20, though subsequent multi-man tag matches resulted in losses, including a six-person bout against Adrian Quest, Alex Coughlin, and Romero on April 10, and a ten-person elimination-style match at Windy City Riot on April 16. Later in 2022, Reyes teamed with Homicide in Major Figure Pro Wrestling, challenging for the MFPW Tag Team Championships but falling to defending champions Brett Waters and Sean Vanore on June 30.[3] In 2023, Reyes marked the 25th anniversary of his professional debut with limited outings before retiring. His final match occurred in January for Venue Wrestling Entertainment in California, a scramble bout won by Juicy Finau. On March 17, Reyes announced his retirement after 25 years in the industry, citing a desire to focus on family, particularly spending time with his son. These later independent dates served as a capstone to his career, emphasizing veteran performances in multi-promotion settings without pursuing new championships.[4][50]Personal life
Family and heritage
Ricky Reyes is married and has been for approximately 11 years as of 2025. His wife informed him of her pregnancy in 2014, leading to the birth of their son around 2015.[6] The family relocated to San Antonio, Texas, to support his wife's career while prioritizing an improved quality of life, including more time for family gatherings influenced by her supportive background.[6] Reyes' son, now 10 years old, has been a central factor in his family life and career decisions. In 2023, Reyes retired from professional wrestling after 24 years to become a full-time father, stating that the demands of the profession began affecting his son and that he wanted to prioritize watching him grow into a man.[6] He emphasized avoiding bringing wrestling-related stress home and focusing on his son's happiness, such as supporting his preparation for a black belt test in martial arts.[6] This decision marked a shift from his travel-intensive career in the 2000s and 2010s, where frequent tours often separated him from family, to a more present role in daily parenting.[6] As a Cuban-American, Reyes has maintained a strong connection to his heritage, which is reflected in his wrestling persona as "The Cuban Crippler" and his tag team, The Havana Pitbulls, highlighting cultural pride through Cuban-themed branding.[6] His identity as a Cuban-American has influenced his approach to balancing professional commitments with family values rooted in resilience and community.[6]Retirement and post-wrestling activities
Ricky Reyes announced his retirement from professional wrestling on March 17, 2023, after a 24-year career in the industry.[51] In a statement shared on social media, he explained that the decision was effective immediately and primarily driven by his desire to spend more time with his son.[4] Reyes expressed gratitude to the promotions, fans, and fellow wrestlers who supported him throughout his journey, reflecting on the heart and soul he invested in the profession. His final in-ring appearance occurred on January 14, 2023, in a scramble match at Venue Wrestling Entertainment in California, where he competed against Alec Tomas, Brendan Divine, Mike Cheq, and Juicy Finau, with Finau emerging victorious.[52] The wrestling community acknowledged his contributions, particularly his tag team success with Rocky Romero in Ring of Honor and his memorable run as Cortez Castro in Lucha Underground, where he showcased a dynamic high-flying style that earned him a dedicated following.[50] These efforts helped solidify Reyes' legacy as a versatile performer across independent promotions, international tours, and major leagues like WWE.[53] Since retiring, Reyes has prioritized family life, stepping away from active competition to focus on personal matters away from the ring.[54] As of 2025, he has not publicly detailed extensive non-wrestling endeavors, maintaining a low profile while occasionally engaging with fans through wrestling-related reminiscences.[55]Championships and accomplishments
Major awards
Ricky Reyes has received several major awards recognizing his contributions to the beauty industry, entrepreneurship, and television in the Philippines. These honors highlight his innovative business practices and public influence. In 1986, Reyes was awarded the Agora Award for medium-sized entrepreneur, acknowledging his early success in expanding his salon chain from a single parlor in San Juan to multiple locations nationwide. He received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year-Philippines award in the UVUB Inspiring Entrepreneur category in 2009, celebrating his growth of Ricky Reyes salons to 39 outlets by 2004, along with the establishment of a manufacturing firm for hair products and the Golden Sunset Resort and Spa in Batangas in 2005.[56] In 2010, Reyes was named a Forbes Hero of Philanthropy for his charitable work, including founding the FilHair Cooperative in 1984 to provide free hairdressing training and the Ricky Reyes Learning Institute in 1995 for professional development.[57]| Award | Year | Category/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agora Award | 1986 | Medium-sized entrepreneur; recognized salon expansion |
| Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year-Philippines | 2009 | UVUB Inspiring Entrepreneur; business growth to 39 salons |
| Forbes Hero of Philanthropy | 2010 | For founding training programs and Child Haus shelter |
