Mortal USA
Profile
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Profile
Mostly a Nuevo Laredo regular in Arena Cuatro Caminos & Arena Coliseo Papa Milo.
El Mañana article on his retirement
Mortal USA will hang up his boots in Arena Coliseo Laredo; he made history as a wrestler on the border
Lucha libre is the perfect escape for many people, with its storylines, rivalries between rudos and técnicos, aerial maneuvers that seem straight out of action movies, and heroes who have left their mark on generations in Nuevo Laredo and Mexico.
One of the most renowned rudos on the border is Mortal USA, a wrestler who earned his reputation through his discipline and the respect he commanded in the ring.
The veteran gladiator, born in Veracruz but trained in this city of Tamaulipas, will hang up his boots on March 20th in Arena Coliseo Laredo, with "Italian Promotions", but before that he spoke exclusively with El Mañana, to tell us a little about his extensive career, his achievements, his memories and what's next for him after saying goodbye.
His entry into the world of lucha libre
"I think the dream started when I was very young, back in 1992-93. I was in Puebla, and the first time I visited Coliseo de Puebla was by chance. I was impressed to see so many stars, the big names in Mexican lucha libre, like Mocho Cota, Mano Negra, and Perro Aguayo. I was really impressed by everything that was going on. From then on, I was hooked on wrestling.
"When I arrived here in Nuevo Laredo, blessed land of Nuevo Laredo, I started boxing. I was in that discipline for about two years. Then the place where we trained closed, and so as not to stop doing some sport, I joined Cuatro Caminos. To be honest, it wasn't easy to get into any lucha training back then, and that's where I started little by little at Cuatro Caminos. But I only started out doing it as a hobby; I didn't give it much importance. From there, things gradually progressed. I had to train for about four years to reach a professional level, not like now, where you're a month in and you're already in the ring, no, it wasn't like that back then.
"At that time I was about 20 or 21 years old. There's an interview floating around that they did when the master Sergio "Vaquero" Romo, from Monterrey, was teaching us. I got to train with very disciplined people, and that helped me develop within the world of lucha libre," he said.
His debut match in the ring
"It was here in Nuevo Laredo, when Promociones Amezquita was around. At that time there were two, Promociones Amezquita, which was on Mondays, and Promociones Cantú. I started with both of them. Back then my debut was when the old Palenque was still there, before they remodeled it.
They were matinees; many of us even experienced the transition. When they remodeled the Palenque, there was a time when they put the ring on top of two-hundred-liter drums. Unfortunately, there were no social media networks back then, but I had to work under those conditions. It's always been great; we go out to have fun and do what we love," he said.
His great idols, and a friend who is no longer with us
"You know, there are several wrestlers I admired or who inspired me to improve. In lucha slang, we always say that El Santo, and yes, was a great icon, very representative; in any country you go to, they mention El Santo, he is Mexican lucha libre. But I had others like El Dandy, from CMLL.
"Also Andrés Palomeque, Abismo Negro, whom I met when I started working, and we became friends. I have some memories with him. I think they were among the most important people who pushed me in this world, especially in terms of discipline, because the key to this, in lucha libre, is discipline and respect," he stated.
Anecdotes about Abismo Negro
"I didn't have the opportunity to wrestle him, but we worked independently. I participated in many events with AAA luchadores, throughout the northern region. I had some personal experiences with Abismo Negro; he was quite the handful, but well, I keep all those stories and I'll take them with me. I have very good memories and stories with him," he said.
The match he will remember forever
"The match I'll always remember most is the one where I put my mask on the line, in May 2006, at the fondly remembered Arena La Colonial, which was located in the Maestro neighborhood. That arena was always packed; it was huge, like Cuatro Caminos, but it was a place where the true spirit of the wrestling fans and the wrestlers came alive, in a respectful way.
"Every Sunday it was a sell-out. At that time, Promociones La Brasa was the promoter there, and the match took place, with the rivalry gradually building until I faced Estrella Universal, who was the one who unmasked me. The match was such a success that the arena was packed to the rafters; people were even on the rooftops of the surrounding houses.
"The aisles were packed, the chairs and the bleachers. There was no way to walk around the ring, there were too many, too many people. For me, it was one of the most iconic matches in all this time, and now, years later, I remember it with great affection, because I think it has been one of the best that Nuevo Laredo has ever produced in terms of local sports,” he recalled nostalgically.
Why did Mortal USA decide to retire in 2026?
"I think I accomplished what I set out to do. I'm fifty years old, healthy, and it's time to call it quits. Aside from the injuries, aside from many other things, and I'm also starting other projects, so I was honest with myself and the truth is there's nothing more for Mortal USA in lucha libre.
"There are many new luchadores now, with new ideas, more dynamic. What I had to do, I already did in my time, at my peak, and to be honest, it was time to say goodbye. At some point in my life, I also made a promise to someone very special, who I know is watching from heaven, and promises are meant to be kept; that was also a determining factor in my decision," he expressed.
Who will be his rival in his retirement match?
"I've always been prepared for any opponent. I never ask who I'll be facing; that's been one of Mortal USA's fundamental principles: being physically and mentally prepared for anyone. On social media, Estrella Universal is mentioned a lot because, as I said before, after more than twenty years, people haven't forgotten that rivalry. Unfortunately, I don't know if he's still wrestling, but people keep talking about it.
"Even though the rivalry with him was in 2006, people are still talking about it; they've been mentioning him over and over for a week now. But well, whoever the company presents me with, which in this case was "Italian Promotions", is welcome, and we'll go ahead with whatever the company tells us to do," he declared.
He will say goodbye with "Italian Promotions"
"I was tentatively going to say goodbye at the season finale at Arena Coliseo Laredo, which was in December 2025, but honestly, they didn't take it seriously, they didn't consider it important at all. "Los Italianos" approached me, yours truly, they approached me, offered me ideas, gave me the green light to select and give my opinion, and their ideas seemed very appealing to me. They took my retirement seriously and they place great value on the raw material that we luchadores are; that will always be a success at every show.
"In this case, they're placing a lot of importance on Mortal USA, giving me free rein to hold these events. I still have two matches left out of the three they initially offered me, but I found it very appealing to work with them, and I think we're doing very well," he said.
Message from Mortal USA for the people of Nuevo Laredo
"First and foremost, I want to thank all those people who have supported me throughout these almost 28 years. I always stepped into the ring to show why we were there, but I've always believed that my gratitude to the fans is eternal. I hope that on March 6th and 20th, my last two matches, you'll continue to support me until the very end. My message throughout my career has always been: keep supporting this beautiful sport that is lucha libre.
"To all those new talents coming up, I say have a lot of respect, because lucha libre is 100% family-oriented, and I hope it stays that way, since that's the core of lucha libre; I believe that's always been its purpose. Finally, we await the fans' response, which I hope will be no exception this time. I'm very grateful to everyone who remembered my mother and those who also gave me a round of applause. Thank you to all the fans," he concluded.
Luchas de apuestas record
| Date | Apuesta | Winner(s) | Loser(s) | Arena and/or Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/5/? | mask | Estrella Universal | Mortal USA | Arena La Colonial - Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas |
| 13/10/13 | hair (3) | Antifaz Del Norte | Mortal | Centro Cívico Gubernamental - Victoria, Tamaulipas |
| 14/10/03 | Hair | The Tiger | Mortal | Arena Coliseo Papá Milo - Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas |
| (3) Ruleta de la Muerte, Laredo Kid, Super Laredo, Street Boy, Antifaz, Mortal USA, Rio Bravo Jr | ||||
