Changing this up to be a history of my companies. The first history will be the legendary
Mesoamerican Fight Club
Episode 1:
Ernie Gonzalez
~~~~~
July 12th, 1924. In Puerto Rico, the top star of Latin America was born. Ernie Gonzalez. Born to a Priest and a Chef, Gonzalez had a good home life. His family was well respected, he never went hungry. But he had a secret. His father, who was a priest, was also a wrestler. The Great Garet. In Puerto Rico alone, The Great Garet held their World Title 4 times. He was known throughout the lands for his speech skills. He had some of the best charisma in Latin America, moving everyone with his words. Ernie wanted to be like his dad, so at the young age of 13, he began to train.
By the age of 18, Ernie was set. And he entered his first match in the Puerto Rico Wrestling Alliance against Dame Dani. Ernie played the face and Dani played the heel. The green Ernie fell in comparison to Dani, who was 37 and next in like for a world title shot. That isn't to say Ernie didn't do well. It was apparent that his dad trained him, who was the World Champ. They shared similar moves, such as Axehandles, Body Slams, and the famous Sleeper Hold. The first match would go on from somewhere between 12 and 18 minutes, but we know it ended with Dani beating Ernie with a Facebuster.
Ernie would continue to have matches for the next 8 years, bulking up in size. Winning a House Show title twice, Ernie grew in size. At Puerto Rico's annual Tropical World, the biggest match ever was made. Ernie, who was 26 at the time, vs his father The Great Garet, who was 48 and the World Champ. Family vs Family. Both were faces, which meant nobody knew who to cheer for. And for the next 37 minutes, the Puerto Rican fans witnessed history. Blood was drawn, the Top Ropes were used. The fans were electric. This is all descriptions from Ernie's biography and magazines. And in the end, Garet fell to a Sleeper. Ernie was the youngest Puerto Rican champion ever. At the age of 26, he retired his father. And then he turned heel.
Ernie had the most heat in all of Puerto Rico. He had trash thrown at him in the streets, people attempted to break into his home. Ernie had to have Police by his side at all times. But he could cut a promo. Whether he was a face or a heel, he made you want to watch. He was so hated, you couldn't help but cheer for anyone he faced. Whether they be a jobber or a top star. He had that star power. He could turn someone who botched every move into a credible main eventer. He brought a High Flying style to Puerto Rico. Sometimes people traveled to Puerto Rico just to watch Ernie Gonzalez, one of those people being his greatest Rival Ever.
The King Of Paradise, or better known as Marshall Hartwood from American Audiences. He came to Puerto Rico to learn the High Flying style. But he knew it wouldn't work in the States. He decided to dawn a mask and become The King Of Paradise. Ernie Gonzalaz at this time had been champion for 10 years, being only 36. Hartwood was 39 years old. For the next 2 years, the two would meet at shows. Though they would never wrestle, the fans came to every show in excitement. And it was set. The King Of Paradise vs Ernie Gonzalez at Tropical World 1962.
These two put on a show. The first recorded 60 Minute Match. Aired on TV. Viewers from Latin America and North America tuned in to watch. Paradise and Gonzalez beat each other with weapons, stiff shots, and high flying moves. It was an emotional match that ended with Paradise ending the 12 year-long reign on Ernie Gonzalez with a Superkick. It was a feel-good moment for everyone. Paradise unmasked to reveal himself as Marshall Hartwood. He was the 19th champion of PRWA. Gonzalez would turn face post-match to hand Hartwood the World Title, the picture being the second most famous photo in wrestling history.
For the next 12 years, Gonzalez transitioned from In Ring Competition to a Backstage Role. But when he hit 48, he got a group of close friends and began to set up a wrestling show based in Latin America. The headquarters were set in Brazil, and by 1974 at the age of 50, Mesoamerican Fight Club was set. The wrestling scene in Latin America was about to get crazy.
