By NIIOHONTESHA WARRIOR
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
Some 900 local and surrounding Lucha Libre enthusiasts gathered on January 3, at 8 p.m., for the 4th Annual Lucha Libre by the Bay held at the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center, 309 Railroad St.
According to co-promoter Baldemar Cortez, the 800-seat, sold-out event added an additional 100 standing-room-only tickets to accommodate the demand. The line of attendees leading into the venue traveled well beyond the front doors, and Cortez reported that attendees parked as far as three blocks down the street.
The event showcased a total of 14 masked fighters. Fighter line-ups were as follows; Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., Hijo de Octagon, Ciclon Ramirez Jr., Aterisco Junior, Koama Jr., Maldicion Reynosa, Maldicion Jr., Bugambilia, Arkangel Jr., Hyper Cruz, Black Cat Jr., Platinum, and Bengala. The ring announcer was “El Pelacas,” with the referees being Cynthia Aguirre as “La Doctora”, Ivan Zamarripa as “El Terrible,” and Rey Robles as “La Tilapia.”
Event was made possible by 3Bat Productions, co-owner by Jorge Hernandez Jr., Fernando Toledo, and Cortez.
Cortez said, “Lucha Libre by the Bay was created by and developed to attract a different array of spectators and bring new life to the Port Isabel Event & Cultural Center. These are the types of events that everyone enjoys, especially the children of the community.”
“Events like these give Port Isabel the recognition it deserves,” he added. “Special thanks to Mayor Cantu, Commissioner Jefferey Martinex, Event Center Coordinator Carlos Florez, and staff.”
World-renowned Lucha Libre fighter Atlantis provided insight on his career and future plans. According to Atlantis, “I am more than excited to be here and this marks a very important event in my career. This is the first time I am fighting alongside my son, Atlantis Jr., here in Port Isabel, Texas.”
He also said that he has fought for the past 40 years, beginning his wrestling debut just before his 20th birthday on June 12, 1983. He said, “This is my full-time job, no side jobs, and this is just what I do. I love what I do and love that name the kids have given me over my career.”
Atlantis went on to say, “I love this place so much; we will definitely be back soon.” He is a proud luchador enmascarado (masked pro-wrestler) and is the longest tenured Luchador in the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre’s (CMLL) history.
According to Atlantis, he’s officially nicknamed, El Idolo de los Ninos, (the children’s idol), because he performs as the “good guy” or Tecnico (also known in wrestling as a baby face). He was named after a warrior from the lost city of Atlantis, with his mask displaying two fish.
Interestingly, both front and back entrance doors remained open for the duration of the event, allowing the roar of the spectators to ripple through the neighborhood.
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