Rayo de Jalisco
Profile
| Rayo de Jalisco (Ray of Jalisco) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Wrestling Observer Hall Of Fame Member |
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Biography
Maximino Linares Moreno is the real name of the man who gave life to Rayo de Jalico for more than 30 years. Máx Linares was born November 22, 1932 around Milpa Alta. When he turned 18, and was now living in Tulancingo, Linares decided to become a wrestler, and ended up becoming a legend.
pre-Rayo de Jalisco career
As with many luchadores Máx. Linares wrestled under other identites before his famous one. He debuted in Feburary 1950 as Mr. Misterio, then changed to Aduila Negro when wrestling in Mexico City. By 1954, he was in Torreón, having been taught by his brother Tony Sugar and then under the name as Dr. Curtis. Linares changed his name once again in 1957, becoming Tony Curtis when he moved to Guadlajara.
In 1960, Linares moved to Aguascalientes took the el Rayo name, and actually became Rayo de Jalisco outside of Jalisco (in Juarez); he wasn't legally allowed to use the name in Guadalajara (though he did in 1962) because another wrestler (Fili Espinoza) owned the rights. Fili eventually gave the rights to the name, and Rayo de Jalisco offically debuted in Coliseo Tapatia against el Enfermero in 1962.
Career Highlights
Rayo de Jalisco immediatly was succesful, winning the NWA World Middleweight Championship and Occidente Welterweigth Championship quickly. Rayo won his first hair, Chino Chow and defeated rival La Bestia for his mask by 1964. Rayo formed a popular tag team with Blue Demon and was named best wrestler of 1963.
Rayo was famous for his reverse tope, and was among the top stars of his era. His fame could be compared to Santo, Blue Demon, and Black Shadow. Like many other stars, he appeared in movies (including Superzam el Invencible (1971), El Robo de las Momias de Guanajuato (1972), Los Campeones Justicieros (1972) and El Triunfo de los Campeones Justicieros (1974). Rayo was an exciting wrestler and a regional hero. Most believed he was a Jalisco-born wrestler who'd gone onto great success.
End of Career
Rayo de Jalisco feuded with Blue Demon near the end of both their careers. Demon was actually retired before Rayo drew him back in the ring for a big mask match between the two. Rayo was defeated, revealing himself to the world as Maximino Linares Moreno, and wrestled a few matches unmasked before retiring.
Rayo de Jalisco is still remembered today, based on his success and his son, Rayo de Jalisco Jr.
Partial Source: Biografias de Leyenda
Luchas de apuestas record
| Date | Apuesta | Winner(s) | Loser(s) | Arena and/or Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ??/??/?? | hair | Rayo de Jalisco | Chino Chow | unknown |
| 63/??/?? | mask | Rayo de Jalisco | La Máscara | unknown |
| 64/??/?? | mask | Rayo de Jalisco | La Bestia | Arena México - Mexico City |
| 75/04/06 | mask | Rayo de Jalisco | Guerrero Negro | unknown |
| 75/04/06 | mask | Rayo de Jalisco | Mr. Sangre | unknown |
| 78/09/17 | masks | Rayo de Jalisco & Huracán Ramírez | Los Hermanos Muerte | unknown |
| 89/07/30 | mask | Blue Demon | Rayo de Jalisco | Plaza de Toros Monumental - Monterrey, N.L. |
