Julio Domingo Estrada Caceres (born July 4, 1970) is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler and manager, better known as Rico Suave. He is best known for his 18-year run in the World Wrestling Council promotion.
| Rico Suave | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Julio Domingo Estrada Caceres |
| Born | July 4, 1970[1] Humacao, Puerto Rico |
| Parent(s) | José Estrada Sr. (father) |
| Relatives | José Estrada Jr. (brother) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Extranjero Misterioso Crazy Sheik Mr. Hardcore Rico Suave Rico Suave Cobra Fabulous Boy El Indio Taino Julio Domingo Estrada Cáceres Julio Estrada Mr. PNP Super Médico #4 14k |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Billed weight | 275 lb (125 kg) |
| Trained by | Divino Tony José Estrada Sr. |
| Debut | 1986 |
Career
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (January 2024) |
Estrada started training to become a wrestler at age 14 and made his debut in 1984 wrestling under various names mostly at independent shows in east of Puerto Rico. Teamed with Solid Gold #1 which was his father José Estrada Sr. former WWF, WWE wrestler in 1991 in the Americas Wrestling Federation in Puerto Rico. He left the company to enter WWC in 1992, where he worked with his brother Jose Estrada Jr. and later became the top manager in the company that year when Joe Don Smith left to play for the then-expansion team Colorado Rockies so Estrada took his spot and managed various wrestlers like Greg Valentine, Dick Murdoch, Eddie Gilbert, Kane, Buddy Landell, Mabel, Val Venis, Glamour Boy Shane, Abdullah the Butcher, Ray Gonzalez, El Nene, Rex King, El Diamante, La Tigresa, Victor The Bodyguard, Jesus Castillo, "Jungle" Jim Steele, Chicky Starr and others. Feuded with Carlos Colon on and off for many years.
Had a memorable feud with Antonio Pantojas known as El Profe that lasted a long time during the 90s.
In 1998 he also was the leader of Invasion Azteca, which was a Mexican group that came to invade WWC combined by Pierroth, Jr., Jerry Estrada, Villano III and the late Texano Sr. Estrada spoke with a Mexican accent and used a Serape during that angle.
Estrada toured Japan in 2000 where he competed at Big Japan Pro Wrestling known as Crazy Sheik.
By 2003 Estrada became a good guy after twelve years working in WWC as a Heel when Estrada was attacked by longtime allied El Bronco I after Estrada allegedly ripped an El Bronco picture. El Bronco I and La Revolición Dominicana (The Dominican Revolution) lead El Bronco I attacked Estrada.
Estrada is the leader of El Poder Supremo (The Supreme Power) Heel stable in the WWC. On November 23, 2006, he managed Hannibal and Black Pain to win the WWC Tag Team titles from Jesus Castillo and Chris Joel in Carolina, Puerto Rico.
Began using the nickname "Mr. Hardcore" when he adopted the Hardcore wrestling style and formed a tag team with Huracan Castillo Jr. and formed "La Evolucion Hardcore" or The Hardcore Evolution due to the hardcore wrestling style that this two superstars have. Being both the most dangerous second-generation tag-team wrestlers to dominate Puerto Rico. Estrada then moved on to work in Japan where he tagged with Abdullah The Butcher, went to Mexico and various independent companies in the United States. Quit WWC in June 2009 after a dispute with the office.[2]
Personal life
editJulio Estrada married Ruby Colón on October 16, 2010, in Florida where he resides. Estrada still continues to wrestle in Florida at charity wrestling events but had a career in loss prevention. He now works as a transporter for Cleveland Clinic in Vero Beach, Florida and graduated as a Phlebotomist. He is also the godfather of Bronco I youngest son.
In July 2024 Rico Suave underwent life-saving surgery that resulted in the amputation of part of his right leg.[3]
Championships and accomplishments
edit- Independent Wrestling Association Florida
- IWA Florida Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ricky Ortiz[4]
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked him #255 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2003
- South Carolina Championship Wrestling
- SCCW Tag Team Championship - with Joe Don Smith (1 time)
- World Wrestling Council[5]
- WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
- WWC Television Championship (4 times)
- WWC Tag Team Championship (10 times) - with Eddie Watts (1), Ricky Santana[6] (1), Agente Bruno (1), Diabolico (2), Eric Alexander (1), Tim Arson (2), El Bronco #1 (1) and Huracán Castillo (1)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Today in Wrestling History, 6/9: First-Ever WWE HOF Ceremony, More. Impact Wrestling. June 9, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
- ^ Today in Wrestling History, 6/9: First-Ever WWE HOF Ceremony, More. Impact Wrestling. June 9, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
- ^ "Julio Domingo Estrada, Conocido en el Mundo de la Lucha Libre Como Rico Suave, Enfrenta un Desafío Tras una Vida Dedicada al Deporte". July 27, 2024.
- ^ http://www.cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=68768 [bare URL]
- ^ Wrestling titles.com
- ^ "Today in Wrestling History, 6/9: First-Ever WWE HOF Ceremony, More". Impact Wrestling. June 9, 2009. Archived from the original on August 16, 2009. Retrieved September 30, 2010.