El Alebrije
El Alebrije (left) and Cuije in April 2010
Born (1972-07-12) July 12, 1972 (age 51)
México
Spouse(s)Tiffany (wife)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)El Alebrije
King Imperio
Kraneo
Máscara Sagrada (II)
Máscara de Oro
Billed height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Billed weight100 kg (220 lb)
Trained byOjo Diabólico
El Magno
Debut1988

El Alebrije (born July 12, 1972) is a Mexican Luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler, currently working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) under the ring name Kraneo. He best known for his work in Asistencia Asesoría y Administración, where he worked for 12 years as El Alebrije, along with his Mini-Estrella companion Cuije. He has also played the role of Máscara Sagrada II after the Original Máscara Sagrada left AAA. El Alebrije's real name is not a matter of public record, as is often the case with masked wrestlers in Mexico where their private lives are kept a secret from the wrestling fans.[1]

Professional wrestling career

He made his debut under the ring name King Imperio, before switching to another character called Máscara de Oro ("Gold Mask"). Later on, he changed his gimmick to Kraneo before going to Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA).[2]

Asistencia Asesoría y Administración

El Alebrije's Mini-Estrella companion Cuije

He was brought to AAA because of the original Máscara Sagrada's departure and was used to replace him as Máscara Sagrada II, a role he played for approximately one year. During that year, he won the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship, defeating Pierroth Jr. to win the title.[3] The reign only lasted for less than a week because he would lose it to Sangre Chicana.[3] In 1998 he was regimmicked as El Alebrije, a more comedic ring character, teamed up with Cuije, a Mini-Estrella version of the El Alebrije character. The two would feud with Monsther and Chucky for a long period of time. He also worked as a road agent behind the scenes of AAA. His first title as El Alebrije was the UWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship.[4] On August 20, 2004, El Alebrije and Cuije won the AAA Mascot Tag Team Championship.[5] They both made history by being the third champions and having it for the longest reign. The title was vacated on April 7, 2009, due to both of them leaving AAA.[6] They only defended the AAA Mascot Tag Team Title a limited number of times in the 1,691 days they held the title.

The independent circuit

After leaving AAA Alebrije and Cuije began working on the Mexican independent circuit, especially for International Wrestling Revolution Group (IWRG) and Perros del Mal Producciones.[2] El Alebrije and Cuije made their first appearance for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based Chikara as part of the 2010 King of Trios tournament that ran from April 23 to 25 at The Arena in Philadelphia. For the tournament Cuije wrestled alongside Alebrije and their partner El Oriental as Team Perros del Mal. After defeating "Team Delicioso" (Curry Man, El Hijo del Ice Cream and Ice Cream Jr.) in their opening round match, Team Perros del Mal was eliminated from the tournament in the quarterfinals by Der Bruderschaft des Kreuzes (Ares, Claudio Castagnoli and Tursas).[7][8]

Los Invasores

See also: Los Invasores
El Alebrije's Alebrije inspired fullbody suit.

On April 12, 2010, a contingent of former AAA wrestlers including El Alebrije, Cuije, Histeria, Psicosis II and Maniaco appeared on a Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) show in Puebla, Puebla. The group drown into the arena in a black SUV and attacked La Sombra, El Hijo del Fantasma and La Máscara after they just finished wrestling. Brazo de Plata, Místico and Jon Strongman tried to help out but were kept away by CMLL rudos Averno, El Texano Jr. and El Terrible. Following the attack the former AAA wrestlers returned to the SUV and left the arena.[9] The group made several subsequent attacks during CMLL shows, including running in during their Sunday Night Arena México show, indicating that the storyline was not limited to just the Puebla area. After weeks of run-ins the group, dubbed Los Independientes or "The Independents" after the Independent circuit, wrestled their first match for CMLL. In their debut for CMLL on April 26, 2010, El Alebrije, Histeria and Psicosis defeated El Hijo del Fantasma, La Máscara and La Sombra.[10] On May 10, 2010, during a match between Los Independientes and CMLL wrestlers former CMLL and AAA wrestlers Universo 2000 and Máscara Año 2000 ran in to help Los Independientes beat up on their opponents, taking their side in the storyline between independent wrestlers and CMLL.[11] The team was later renamed Los Invasores ("The Invaders").[12] During a trios match between El Alebrije, Histeria II and Maniaco and the team of Héctor Garza, Brazo de Plata and Toscano, Garza turned on his teammates and joined Los Invasores.[12] On May 16, 2010, Psicosis wrestled against La Sombra in a match that saw the surprise appearance of both Mr. Águila and Rayo de Jalisco Jr. Mr. Águila returned to CMLL to side with Los Independientes while Rayo de Jalisco Jr. ended up siding with CMLL in their war against the outsider group.[13] The following day in Arena Coliseo Olímpico returned to CMLL and attacked Máximo during the main event of the show, at the time it was not clear if he had actually joined the group of outsiders or not.[12] CMLL later held a press conference announcing that they would hold a special Sin Salida event on June 6, 2010, that would center around the Los Invasores vs. CMLL storyline. During the press conference Olímpico was part of the Invasores group. It was also announced that Garza and Mr. Águila were the co-leaders of the group.[12] On July 12, 2010, at the Promociones Gutiérrez 1st Anniversary Show El Alebrije participated in a match where 10 men put their mask on the line in a match that featured five pareja incredibles teams, with the losing team being forced to wrestle each other with their mask on the line. His partner in the match was Volador Jr., facing off against the teams of Atlantis and Olímpico, Místico and El Oriental, Histeria and La Sombra, Último Guerrero and Averno.[14] Volador Jr. and El Alebrije was the second team to escape the match. In the end Místico defeated El Oriental to unmask him.[15] On August 16, 2010, it was announced that El Alebrije was one of 14 men putting their mask on the line in a Luchas de Apuestas steel cage match, the main event of the CMLL 77th Anniversary Show.[16] El Alebrije was the fourth man to leave the steel cage at the same time as his fellow Invasor Histeria, keeping both their masks safe. Both El Alebrije and Histeria returned to the cage to help their partners but were eventually removed by officials. The match came down to La Sombra pinning Olímpico to unmask him.[17] On December 16, 2012, Alebrije, now working under his new ring name of Kraneo, won his first title in CMLL, when he and fellow Invasores Mr Águila and Psicosis defeated Los Reyes de la Atlantida (Atlantis, Delta and Guerrero Maya Jr. for the Mexican National Trios Championship.[18] In the months following their Mexican National Trios championship victory Los Invasores began a storyline feud with the holders of the CMLL World Trios Championship, El Bufete del Amor ("The Law of Love"; Marco Corleone, Maximo and Rush), including a couple of matches for La Bufete's CMLL title, but not for Los Invasores Mexican National Trios title.[19] Kraneo was forced to team up with rival Marco Corleone for the 2013 Torneo Nacional de Parejas Increibles ("National Incredible Pairs Tournament") where the concept was that rivals would team up for a tag team tournament. Kraneo and Corleone lost in the first round of the tournament to Shocker and Mr. Niebla as the two were unable to get along.[20][21] On June 30, Los Invasores lost the Mexican National Trios Championship to La Máscara, Rush and Titán.[22]

Legal action

In early April 2010, El Alebrije and Histeria sought legal action against AAA over the issues of name and ring character ownership as well as unfair termination by AAA. The two claimed that they have wrestled for 13 years to create the characters and thus owned them. The parties met in Mexico City's Board of Conciliation and Arbitration to see if a settlement could be reached or if the matter would have to be taken to court.[23] The parties met for a second arbitration meeting in late April 2010. This time the plaintiff group was joined by Latin Lover who, like Alebrije, Histeria and the others, claimed that he should be allowed to use the name since he's worked as Latin Lover for 18 years and thus should be allowed to continue using it. After the meeting it was stated that all parties involved were cooperating over the matter.[24] In January 2012, CMLL repackaged both Alebrije and Histeria with new ring characters. Alebrije returned to performing under the Kraneo gimmick, while Cuije was renamed Mije.[25][26][27] On June 21, 2012, AAA announced it was bringing back the El Alebrije and Cuije characters under new performers.[28]

Championships and accomplishments

The original Máscara Sagrada, El Alebrije wore an identical outfit when he played the part.

Luchas de Apuestas record

See also: Luchas de Apuestas
Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Kraneo (mask) Tormenta Negra (mask) Naucalpan, State of Mexico Live event August 6, 1995  
Kraneo (mask) Sable (mask) Naucalpan, State of Mexico Live event December 17, 1995  
Máscara Sagrada (mask) Popitekus (hair) Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico Live event August 23, 1998  
Abismo Negro (hair) El Alebrije (hair) Tijuana, Baja California Live event January 9, 2007 [a][30]
Monster (hair) El Alebrije (hair) Tijuana, Baja California Live event April 14, 2008 [a]
El Alebrije (mask) Mr. Infierno (mask) Mazatlan, Sinaloa Live event June 6, 2008  

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b This was a Lucha del reves, hair vs. hair match between masked wrestlers.

References

  1. ^ Madigan, Dan (2007). "Okay... what is Lucha Libre?". Mondo Lucha Libre: the bizarre and honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperCollins Publishers. pp. 29–40. ISBN 978-0-06-085583-3.
  2. ^ a b "Profile Card". Thecubsfan. Archived from the original on July 16, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "Mexico: National Light Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. pp. 391–392. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  4. ^ a b Royal Duncan & Gary Will (2000). "MEXICO: Universal Wrestling Federation Light Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 397. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
  5. ^ a b "Número Especial - Lo mejor de la lucha libre mexicana durante el 2004". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). January 24, 2005. issue 91.
  6. ^ Arturo Rosas Plata (April 7, 2009). "Alebrije fuera de Triple A". Ovaciones (in Spanish). Mexico, D.F.: Editorial Ovaciones, S. A. de C.V. p. 18. Número 21550 Año LXII. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  7. ^ Streleckis, Brian (April 24, 2010). "Chikara King of Trios Night 1 Report". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  8. ^ Lansdell, Chris (April 25, 2010). "King of Trios Night 2 Results". 411Mania. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  9. ^ Rodríguez, Arturo Wenceslao (April 13, 2010). "Ex AAA invade el CMLL" (in Spanish). Fuego en el Ring. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  10. ^ Wenceslao Rodríguez, Arturo (April 27, 2010). "Alebrije y Los Vipers imponen su ley (1-0)" (in Spanish). Fuego en el Ring.
  11. ^ Ruiz Glez, Alex (May 12, 2010). "Los Hermanos Dinamita ahora Invaden la Arena Puebla". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  12. ^ a b c d Boutwell, Jason (May 21, 2010). "Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly". WrestleView. Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  13. ^ Rostro Oculto (May 16, 2010). "Resultados Arena México (16 mayo 2010): ¡Mr. Águila es parte de los invasores! ¡Rayo de Jalisco Jr. regresó al CMLL!". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on May 18, 2010. Retrieved May 17, 2010.
  14. ^ Flores, Manuel (June 26, 2010). "El 12 de julio caerá una máscara en Nuevo Laredo en la función de aniversario de Promociones Gutierrez". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  15. ^ "El Oriental pierde la máscara ante Místico en Nuevo Laredo". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). July 13, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  16. ^ Ruiz Glez, Alex (August 15, 2010). "Liger, Atlantis, Mr. Niebla y Ultimo Guerrero entran al Juicio final del CMLL". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  17. ^ Ocampo, Jorge (September 3, 2010). "Cobertura CMLL: El Juicio Final. LXXVII Aniversario de la Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved September 4, 2010.
  18. ^ a b Mexicool, Rey (December 17, 2012). "Los Invasores conquistan… ¡la Atlántida!". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  19. ^ "Sigue reinando el Buffet del Amor en el CMLL". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). February 18, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  20. ^ "Volador y la Sombra a la Final del Torneo de Parejas Increíbles". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). March 2, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  21. ^ Salazar López, Alexis A. (March 1, 2013). "Atlantis y Último Guerrero ¿Estaremos frente a un duelo candidato para conmemorar el 80 Aniversario del CMLL?". Estrellas del Ring (in Spanish). Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  22. ^ Salazar López, Alexis A. (July 1, 2013). "Resultadoes Arena Coliseo Domingo 30 de Junio '13". Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (in Spanish). Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  23. ^ Notimex (April 7, 2010). "Pelean Histeria y Alebrije por derchos de nombre y caracterizacion" (in Spanish). MedioTiempo.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  24. ^ Mendoza, Gabriela (April 21, 2010). "Latin Lover pelea por su nombre" (in Spanish). Record.com.mx. Archived from the original on April 29, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  25. ^ Ruiz Glez, Alex (January 3, 2012). "Kraneo y Morphosis los nuevos personajes del CMLL". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  26. ^ Mexicool, Rey (January 4, 2012). "Video: Histeria habla sobre su nueva etapa como Morphosis en el CMLL". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  27. ^ "!Problemas en la esquina técnica en la zona preliminar! !buena lucha especial y semifinal! !Mephisto va por el oro!". La Catedral de la Lucha Libre (in Spanish). January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
  28. ^ "Muy pronto Alebrije regresa a la Televisión". Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (in Spanish). June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  29. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 - 2005 :176: El Alebrije". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, USA: Sports and Entertainment publications LLC. August 2005. p. 98. October 2005.
  30. ^ Flores, Manuel (March 30, 2009). "Abismo Negro Adiós al rey de marinete". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Mexico City, D.F. pp. 24–26. 308.
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