Flamita
Flamita | |
---|---|
![]() Flamita in November 2016 | |
Born | [1] Mexico City[1] | November 30, 1994
Family | Toro Negro (grandfather)[2] El Retador (father)[2] Flama Roja (uncle)[2] |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Fireball[3] Flamita Demonic Flamita Night Claw[4] Octagón Jr.[5] |
Billed height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1] |
Billed weight | 73 kg (161 lb)[1] |
Trained by | Arkangel de la Muerte[6] |
Debut | December 12, 2009[1] |
Flamita (born November 30, 1994)[1] is a Mexican luchador enmascarado or masked professional wrestler. In addition to working for promotions such as Ring Of Honor, (ROH) Lucha Libre AAA World Wide, (AAA) and Desastre Total Ultraviolento (DTU) in his native country, Flamita is also known for his work in the Japanese Dragon Gate promotion, where he is a former Open the Brave Gate and Open the Triangle Gate Champion. Flamita is a third-generation professional wrestler. His real name is not a matter of public record as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico.[7] Dave Meltzer has called Flamita "one of the best [high-flying wrestlers] in the world",[8] comparing him to Rey Mysterio.[9]
Professional wrestling career
Early career (2009–2012)
Both Flamita's father and grandfather were professional wrestlers; his father worked under the ring name El Retador ("The Challenger"), while his grandfather was known as Toro Negro ("Black Bull"). After five years of training, he made his professional wrestling debut on December 12, 2009, under the ring name Flamita ("Little Flame"), which he got from his uncle, who had wrestled under the name Flama Roja ("Red Flame").[2]
Flamita started his career wrestling on the Mexican independent circuit, becoming best known for his work in the Desastre Total Ultraviolento (DTU) promotion,[10] where he captured the Alto Rendimiento Championship on two occasions.[11] In addition, he also worked for Alianza Universal de Lucha Libre (AULL), where he won the AULL Lightweight Championship in April 2012, only to vacate it two months later.[10]
Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (2011–2016)
On June 26, 2011, Flamita made his debut for one of Mexico's top promotions, Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (AAA), at a benefit show co-produced by AAA and DTU.[12] Throughout 2013, Flamita worked several AAA shows, mainly wrestling either dark or opening matches.[13] He was also part of the short-lived roster split, being recruited as part of the AAA Fusion roster.[14] AAA reportedly wanted Flamita to take over the role of Octagón Jr., but he turned down the offer in order to continue working in Japan.[9]
Following his success in Japan and months of rumors that AAA were interested in signing him full-time,[15] Flamita returned to the promotion on July 10, 2015, now working under the new ring name Fireball and teaming with Ludxor in a tag team match, where they defeated Daga and Steve Pain.[3] Following the appearance, Flamita announced he had not signed a contract with AAA and was still undergoing negotiations with the promotion.[16] Flamita started working for AAA as a regular in November 2015.[17]
On March 4, 2016, Flamita was repackaged as the second Octagón Jr.[5] He was quickly branded a "fraud" by Octagón, the luchador the character was based on, who stated that he had not given AAA the permission to introduce another Octagón Jr.[18] On April 10, Octagón Jr. was confronted and unmasked by Octagón during an autograph signing.[19][20] Three days later, Octagón introduced his own Octagón Jr. or "Hijo de Octagón", supposedly portrayed by his son.[21][22] On April 27, Flamita stated that out of respect toward Octagón, he was dropping the Octagón Jr. gimmick, leaving AAA and returning to the independent circuit under the Flamita name.[23]
Dragon Gate (2013–2019)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Bandido_and_Flamita_in_Quer%C3%A9taro.jpg/220px-Bandido_and_Flamita_in_Quer%C3%A9taro.jpg)
In October 2013, it was announced that Flamita, along with fellow Mexican Rocky Lobo, had been signed by the Japanese Dragon Gate promotion.[24] He made his debut for the promotion on October 26, 2013, as part of the Millennials stable.[1] On December 5, Flamita and his stablemates Eita and T-Hawk first won a one-night tournament to become the number one contenders to the Open the Triangle Gate Championship and then defeated Mad Blankey (BxB Hulk, Cyber Kong and Yamato) that same night to become the new champions.[25][26] They lost the title to Jimmyz (Jimmy Susumu, Mr. Kyu Kyu Naoki Tanizaki Toyonaka Dolphin and Ryo "Jimmy" Saito) on December 22.[25][27] On March 16, 2014, Flamita won his first singles title in Dragon Gate, when he defeated Genki Horiguchi H.A.Gee.Mee!! for the Open the Brave Gate Championship.[28][29] He held the title for the rest of the year, successfully defending it against the likes of Naoki Tanizaki,[30] Kzy,[31] and Dragon Kid at the promotion's biggest show of the year,[32] Kobe Pro Wrestling Festival on July 20.[33] One of his title defenses also took place back in Mexico at a DTU event.[34] On December 28, Flamita's ninth title defense ended in a disqualification, after he was unmasked by his challenger Punch Tominaga. Following the win, Flamita refused to accept the title belt, leaving it behind him in the ring.[1][35] Three days later, Dragon Gate's office declared Flamita's reign over and title vacant.[36]
Flamita returned to Dragon Gate three months later and on March 24, 2015, received a rematch for the Open the Brave Gate Championship, but was defeated by the defending champion, Akira Tozawa.[28] On August 6, Millennials were forced to disband, when Flamita, Eita and T-Hawk were defeated in a three-way trios match.[37][38] On October 4, Flamita joined the Dia.Hearts stable.[39] During Flamita's hiatus from Dragon Gate, Dia.Hearts was disbanded. On July 2, 2016, Flamita returned to Dragon Gate, joining the Tribe Vanguard stable.[40]
Lucha Underground (2016)
In early 2016, while he was still in AAA, Flamita took part in the season two tapings of Lucha Underground under the ring name "Night Claw".[4] His debut episode aired on June 22, 2016.[41]
Return to the independent circuit (2016–present)
Following his departure from AAA, Flamita made his Arena México debut on June 9, 2016, working an event held by Lucha Libre Elite.[42] On September 1, 2017, Flamita made his debut for the Southern California-based Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), entering the 2017 Battle of Los Angeles tournament, from which he was eliminated in the first round by Ricochet.[43]
Ring of Honor (2019-2021)
With the partnership with ROH and Rev Pro Flamita will debut in the UK in the Honor United Tour. On April 10, 2021 on Ring of Honor Television, Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham defeated Bandido and Flamita in a tag team match, After the match, Flamita walks out on Bandido and says no more, Splitting up the tag team.
Championships and accomplishments
- Alianza Universal de Lucha Libre
- AULL Lightweight Championship (1 time)[44]
- The Crash
- The Crash Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)[45]
- The Crash Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bandido[46]
- Desastre Total Ultraviolento
- DTU Alto Rendimiento Championship (2 times)[11]
- Dragon Gate
- Progress Wrestling
- Progress Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bandido[47]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ring of Honor
- ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Rey Horus and Bandido[49]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h フラミータ. Dragon Gate (in Japanese). Gaora. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Rodríguez, Édgar (June 29, 2011). "Flamita busca consolidarse". Récord (in Spanish). Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ a b Boutwell, Josh (July 12, 2015). "Viva la Raza! Lucha Weekly for 7/12/15". Wrestleview. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ a b Boutwell, Josh (May 4, 2016). "Viva la Raza Lucha Weekly (5/4/16): Lucha World Cup, Lucha Underground stars injured, AAA star undergoing surgery". Wrestleview. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
- ^ a b "Renació Octagón Jr. en AAA". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ "Celebran al Arkangel en la Arena Coliseo". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Madigan, Dan (2007). "Okay... what is Lucha Libre?". Mondo Lucha A Go-Go: the bizarre and honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperCollins Publishers. pp. 29–40. ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (August 25, 2014). "August 25, 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Lesnar destroys Cena, Impact moves to Wednesday, Bully Ray, War Machine, more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. p. 32. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ a b Meltzer, Dave (November 10, 2014). "May 12, 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Extreme Rules PPV report, WWE quarterly investor call and business breakdown, Network, latest on Batista, tons more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. p. 33. ISSN 1083-9593.
- ^ a b "Flamita renuncia al Campeonato Ligero AULL". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). June 12, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ a b "DTU Alto Rendimiento Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ "DTU/AAA Benefit Show". Cagematch. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ "Matches". Cagematch. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Zellner, Kris (April 25, 2013). "AAA splits roster in two: The Lucha Report". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Boutwell, Josh (February 16, 2015). "Viva la Raza! Lucha Weekly for 2/16/15". Wrestleview. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Boutwell, Josh (July 19, 2015). "Viva la Raza: Lucha Weekly (7/19/15)". Wrestleview. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Boutwell, Josh (November 9, 2015). "Viva la Raza: Lucha Weekly (11/8/15)". Wrestleview. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
- ^ "Octagón Jr. es un fraude: Octagón". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ "¡No se aguantó!; Octagón arrancó máscara a su Jr". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). April 10, 2016. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (April 10, 2016). "Daily Update: UFC Croatia, Cody Hall injury, NJPW Invasion Attack". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
- ^ "Octagón presentó al Hijo de Octagón". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). April 13, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ "Sigue la polémica: Octagón presenta a un nuevo Octagón Jr". Superluchas (in Spanish). April 13, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ "Flamita dejó el nombre de Octagón Jr". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). April 27, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ Ruiz Glez, Alex (October 15, 2013). "¡Flamita y Rocky Lobo firman con Dragón Gate!". Superluchas (in Spanish). Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ a b c オープン・ザ・トライアングルゲート. Dragon Gate (in Japanese). Gaora. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ ドラゲー初のオカマ戦士がセコンドで大活躍. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 6, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ 大穴ジミーズが第46代王者組 「地味に取ったね」. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). December 23, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ a b c オープン・ザ・ブレイブゲート. Dragon Gate (in Japanese). Gaora. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Dark Angelita (March 18, 2014). "Dragon Gate: Resultados Dragon Gate "Memorial Gate 2014″, 16/03/2014 – Flamita nuevo campeón". Superluchas (in Spanish). Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Dominello, Zach (August 17, 2014). "Dragon Gate Dangerous Gate iPPV report 8-17 Tokyo". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Dominello, Zach (September 9, 2014). "Dragon Gate iPPV report 9-9 Tokyo Korakuen Hall". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Counihan, Alan (July 17, 2014). "Alan4L's guide to Dragon Gate "Kobe World" and why you should watch this weekend on Ustream". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Dominello, Zach (July 20, 2014). "Dragon Gate iPPV report from Kobe World Festival". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ Boutwell, Josh (May 31, 2014). "Viva la Raza! Lucha Weekly for 5/31/14". Wrestleview. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ "Dragon Gate Final Gate live coverage from Fukuoka (updated with main event)". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. December 28, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ オープン・ザ・ブレイブゲート王座決定トーナメント開催! 1月シリーズ前半戦 京都2連戦~神戸大会 対戦カード情報. Dragon Gate (in Japanese). December 31, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ ドラゴンゲート8.6後楽園大会 ミレニアルズvs.ジミーズvs.MBの敗戦ユニット解散サバイバルイリミネーション6人タッグ3Wayマッチ. Battle News (in Japanese). August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ Boutwell, Josh (August 18, 2015). "Viva la Raza: Lucha Weekly (8/18/15)". Wrestleview. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- ^ "10/04 The Gate of Victory". iHeartDG. October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
- ^ Zellner, Kris (July 3, 2016). "CMLL star Thunder passes away and more: The Lucha Report". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
- ^ Dehnel, Joel (June 22, 2016). "6/22 Lucha Underground Results – Dehnel's Report on Aztec Medallion Night, Puma makes big challenge for Ultima Lucha Dos". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ Valdés, Apolo (June 7, 2016). "Estoy emocionado por pisar la Arena México: Flamita". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (September 2, 2017). "PWG BOLA night one results: Chosen Bros vs. Dijak & Lee". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
- ^ "AULL Lightweight Championship". Cagematch. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
- ^ "Santo Jr se presentó en México con triunfo". Terra. August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
- ^ "The Crash Tag Team Championship >> Reigns >> 17.03.2018 - Today: Bandido & Flamita". CageMatch (in German). Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ "Progress Coast to Coast tour - tag 5". CageMatch. August 11, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
- ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2021". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Csonka, Larry (January 11, 2020). "411's Live ROH Saturday Night at Center Stage 2020 Coverage". 411 Mania. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
External links
- Dragon Gate profile (in Japanese)
- Flamita on X