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Ramón Torres (wrestler)

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Ramón Torres
Birth nameRamón S. Torres
Born(1932-01-13)January 13, 1932
Santa Ana, California, U.S.
DiedAugust 25, 2000(2000-08-25) (aged 68)[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Ramón Torres
Avenger #2
Raymond Torres
Ray Torres
Billed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
Billed weight242 lb (110 kg)
Billed fromSonora, Mexico[3]
Trained byEnrique Torres[2]
Debut1952

Ramón S. Torres (January 13, 1932 – August 25, 2000) was an American professional wrestler. Primarily a babyface throughout his career, he was a part of 'The Famous Torres Brothers' with Alberto & Enrique Torres and was a major star in the 1950s and 60s as a both a tag team and singles competitor.[4] He wrestled primarily within the National Wrestling Alliance, where he was a multi-time NWA World Tag Team Champion and NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion and also wrestled in the American Wrestling Association (where he held the AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship) and Worldwide Wrestling Associates.[5]

Early life

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Before entering professional wrestling, Ramón Torres' older brother Enrique was already a World Heavyweight Champion and established star in the world of wrestling.[5] Ramón and his brother Alberto had aspirations of stardom themselves and wanted Enrique to help them break into the business. Enrique agreed to help them, with the condition that they learn the amateur style first and become competent shoot wrestlers. "I told both of them to join a wrestling team. They joined a wrestling team in San Francisco, at the YMCA and other places. Join a wrestling team and learn how to wrestle" Enrique stated.[4] After competing as amateurs, Enrique agreed to them becoming pros.

Professional wrestling career

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Ramón began his career in his native California and did not take long to establish himself in the territory. He captured the NWA Pacific Coast Tag Team Championship with Enrique on September 19, 1953 in San Francisco.[6] In an era before the likes of Gorgeous George the Torres trio stood out for their charisma and mat skills.[4] Ramón also held the NWA World Tag Team Championship with Tex McKenzie when the duo defeated Mike and Ben Sharpe on September 21, 1957.[7] Ramón was to become a major fan favourite throughout the California territories, winning the NWA Pacific Coast Heavyweight Championship on five occasions.[7]

Ramón and his brothers became the top babyface team in numerous territories throughout the NWA, including Florida, where they had noted rivalries with the Von Brauners and Keomuka & Matsuda.[8] The brothers continued to travel throughout North America, winning tag team gold from the Georgia and Tri-State territories in the American South to the Stampede Wrestling territory in Calgary.[6]

On September 10, 1971, Ramón defeated Roger Kirby to capture the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship in Monroe, Louisiana.[9] As was customary for the world champions of the NWA, Torres defended the title in various territories as a travelling champion, eventually losing the title in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[5] That same year, he also competed in the American Wrestling Association, winning the AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship in August, 1971.[10]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Ramon Torres « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  3. ^ "Alberto & Ramon Torres vs Art Mahalick & Mike Sharpe 7/8/ 1964 Los Angeles professional wrestling". October 7, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2017 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ a b c "Bond to wrestling's past is lost with Torres' passing". slam.canoe.com. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com – The World's Largest Wrestling Database". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Ramon Torres". Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  8. ^ "Torres Brothers". Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  9. ^ III, Harris M. Lentz (January 1, 2003). Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN 9780786417544. Retrieved November 25, 2017 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Titles « Ramon Torres « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
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