Tito Santana
Tito Santana | |
---|---|
Birth name | Merced Solís |
Born | Mission, Texas, U.S.[1] | May 10, 1953
Spouse(s) |
Leah Solis (m. 1976) |
Children | 3 |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | |
Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[3] |
Billed weight | 234 lb (106 kg)[3] |
Billed from | "Tocula, Mexico"[2] |
Trained by | |
Debut | 1977 |
Retired | 2022 |
Football career | |
No. 72 | |
Career information | |
CFL status | American |
Position(s) | TE |
College | West Texas A&M |
Career history | |
As player | |
1975* | Kansas City Chiefs |
1976 | BC Lions |
Career stats | |
Receptions | 17 |
Rec. Yards | 329 |
Touchdowns | 1 |
Merced Solis (born May 10, 1953), better known by the
Santana has stayed a babyface his entire career[5][6] and he is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation between 1979 and 1993 (missing part of 1980 and returning in 1983)[7] where he was twice the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion and twice held the WWF Tag Team Championship. He also won the 1989 King of the Ring tournament and wrestled the first WrestleMania match competing in the first nine, as well as helping bridge the gap between the 1980s "Rock 'n Wrestling Connection" era to the 1990s "New Generation" era.
Santana was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2004 and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame class of 2013. During his time in the WWF, Santana, despite being born and raised in Texas, was billed from "Tocula, Mexico", which may be a misspelled reference to the city of Toluca. To this day, he still appears on the independent circuit.[8][9]
Collegiate and professional football career
Solis attended West Texas State University, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Solis played tight end for the West Texas State Buffaloes. The team was quarterbacked by future professional wrestler Tully Blanchard, who would introduce Solis to the world of professional wrestling. After graduating, Solis was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs but cut during training camp, due to a poor performance in the 40-yard dash because of a twisted Achilles tendon two weeks before camp. He played a single season for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, appearing in 13 regular season games.[10]
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1977–1979)
After training under
World Wrestling Federation (1979–1980)
Santana joined the
American Wrestling Association (1980–1982)
Santana wrestled in the
Georgia Championship Wrestling (1982–1983)
Santana returned to GCW in July 1982. He teamed with
Return to WWF (1983–1993)
Intercontinental Heavyweight champion (1983–1987)
Santana returned to the WWF in 1983, making his televised return on the May 14 episode of
On Right After Wrestling, hosted by
Although Santana lost the Intercontinental title before the WWF's storyline that Davis was a corrupt official who clearly favored the heels, the WWF used Santana losing the belt because of Davis' bias to include him in a six-man tag team match at
Strike Force (1987–1989)
Santana formed the popular tag team
Martel returned at the
Intercontinental Heavyweight championship pursuits (1990–1991)
After
El Matador (1991–1993)
Later in 1991, Santana adopted a Spanish
International World Class Championship Wrestling (1991, 1994–1995)
While taking a short hiatus from the World Wrestling Federation, he wrestled in International World Class Championship Wrestling (IWCCW) briefly where he held a feud with Tony Atlas. On an IWCCW card in Brooklyn, New York, Atlas defeated Dusty Wolfe. After the bout, he openly challenged any of his fellow wrestlers to try to beat him. Santana immediately responded, charging out and dropkicking Atlas out of the ring. Following the event, Santana and Atlas scheduled a match for June 15 in Nassau in The Bahamas for the IWCCW title, where Santana sought to avenge his former tag team partner "Polish Power" Ivan Putski, whom Atlas had hung over the ropes previously. Santana had the upper hand in the bout until Atlas' manager Tony Rumble interfered by distracting and enraging Santana by repeatedly putting Atlas' foot on the rope. Santana then went after Rumble, pulled him onto the ring apron, and knocked him onto the floor. Atlas took the opportunity to blindside Santana with a pair of brass knuckles from behind. The referee saw this illegal attack, and disqualified Atlas.[18]
Return and IWCCW Heavyweight Champion
After leaving ECW in 1993, Santana returned to IWCCW in 1994 where he wrestled some of his old WWF rivals such as Hercules Hernandez, Rick Martel, and Greg Valentine. During his second stint, he won the vacant IWCCW Heavyweight Championship (a title which had been vacated by Tony Atlas a man Santana first feuded with during his first stint in IWCCW back in 1991, Tony Atlas had left IWCCW for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) back in 1992) with a tournament victory over Greg Valentine who later claimed the title in a rematch. In IWCCW Santana resumed his feuds from the WWF with Rick Martel and Greg Valentine, and again wrestled Tony Atlas, who defeated him in a match in Yardville, New Jersey.[19] Santana also feuded with Manny Fernandez, as Fernandez had attacked Santana after Santana had defeated L.A. Gore.[20] After Valentine had defeated Santana for the title, Santana also then had later agreed to an interfederation title vs title match with Valentine as Santana had won the AWF championship while he was still competing in IWCCW.[21]
NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling (1993)
Santana played a role in the formative years of ECW. Then known as Eastern Championship Wrestling, he won the ECW Heavyweight Championship on August 8, 1993, by defeating former WWF rival Don Muraco, but forfeited the championship later that year to Shane Douglas.
American Wrestling Federation (1994–1996)
During 1994 and 1996 Santana wrestled in the short-lived
Second return to the WWF (1997–1998)
Santana returned to the WWF as a commentator in the Spanish Broadcast table, He called on Monday Night Raw, as well as PPV events, he was last doing Spanish commentary at WrestleMania XIV. In November 1997, he made on-air appearances as El Matador in the Karate Fighters Holiday Tournament, facing Carlos Cabrera and Jerry Lawler.
Regional Championship Wrestling (1997–2013)
On July 19, 1997, Santana lost by disqualification to "Playboy" Jonathon Luvstruk w/Bodacious Pretty Boy in the finals of the United States title tournament at RCW's Battleground event. On August 8, 2009, Santana defeated Jerome Hendrix at RCW's Rumblemania 6 event. On May 6, 2012, Santana defeated Tokyo Dragon w/Rich Rogers in tournament final to become RCW champion at RCW's Rumblemania 8 event. On May 10, 2013, Santana and Tokyo Dragon defeated Mad Russian, Jack Molson and Rich Rogers in a title vs. hair match. Santana cut Rogers's hair at RCW's Megabrawl 6 event.
World Championship Wrestling (2000)
On January 10, 2000, Santana made a one-time appearance in WCW. He defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Dungeon match on Nitro.
Independent circuit (1996–present)
Since 1996, Santana continues to make appearances on the
Personal life
While attending West Texas A&M University, Solis was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.[24] He lives in New Jersey with his wife Leah. They have three sons: Matthew, Michael and Mark. Leah operated a hair salon in Succasunna-Kenvil, New Jersey until January 2022.[25] He also teaches wrestling classes at the New Jersey-based Independent Wrestling Federation.[26] He used to be a physical education teacher at Smalley Elementary School in Bound Brook, New Jersey,[27] and a teacher of Spanish at Eisenhower Middle School in Roxbury Township, New Jersey.[25][28] His autobiography, Tito Santana's Tales From the Ring, was released in 2008. His independently released biography, Don't Call Me Chico, was released in 2019.[29] Solis announced his retirement from teaching in June 2023, with his last day on June 15 that year.[30]
Championships and accomplishments
- American Wrestling Federation
- AWF Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- AWF Heavyweight Title Tournament (1994)[31]
- Empire Wrestling Alliance
- EWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Eastern Championship Wrestling
- House of Pain Wrestling Federation
- HoPWF Tag Team Championship (1 time)
- Independent Association of Wrestling
- IAW Television Championship (1 time)
- Independent Wrestling Federation
- IWF Tag Team Championship – with Biggie Biggs (1 Time)
- Royal Rumble (2016)[32]
- International Association of Wrestling
- IAW Television Championship (1 time)
- International World Class Championship Wrestling
- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Lou Thesz Award 2024
- NWA Western States Sports
- National Wrestling Alliance
- Houston Wrestling Gold Cup Tournament (1981)[34]
- National Wrestling Council
- NWC Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[33]
- New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2011
- Northern States Wrestling Alliance
- NSWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI Tag Team of the Year award in 1979 – with Ivan Putski.
- PWI ranked him # 51 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1995.
- PWI ranked him # 93 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003.
- PWI ranked him # 70 of the 100 best tag teams during the PWI Years with Rick Martel in 2003.
- PWI ranked him # 92 of the 100 best tag teams during the PWI Years with Ivan Putski in 2003.
- Renegade Wrestling Alliance
- RWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- USA Pro Wrestling
- USA Pro Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[36]
- Unified Championship Wrestling
- UCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[33]
- Universal Superstars of America
- USA Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chris Michaels[33]
- World-1
- W1 Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Travis Lee[37]
- World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
- WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- WWF Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Ivan Putski (1), and Rick Martel (1)
- King of the Ring (1989)
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2004)
- Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame
- Class of 2007
- Other titles
- CWA Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)
- GWA Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)
- USA Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)
- UWS Tag Team Championship (1 Time)
- IWA Heavyweight Championship (1 Time)[38]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Tito Santana Profile". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Tito Santana". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
- ^ Beaston, Erik. "Full Career Retrospective for Tito Santana". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
- ^ "TheBurningHammer.com • View topic – Tito Santana's time to heel?". www.theburninghammer.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
- ^ "Tito Santana Talks About What He is Doing Now, Today's WWE, What Held Shawn Michaels Back, His New DVD and More". www.pwinsider.com. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
- ^ Tito Santana, shoot interview YouTube video, posted August 4, 2012.
- ^ "Tito Santana Reveals Why He Has Turned Down WWE Job Offers". Wrestling Inc. September 2, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ Wire, S. I. "WWE Hall of Famer Tito Santana explains why he hasn't officially retired yet". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ISBN 978-1-59670-325-4.
- ^ YouTube videos posted, June 2, 2013, December 31, 2013, November 7, 2015, May 7, 2012
- ^ "Podcasts | the Score". Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ "WWF SUPERSTARS (1986-97) 1987". thehistoryofwwe.com. January 16, 2023.
- ISBN 978-1-59670-325-4
- ^ Rick 'The Model' Martel - Wrestling Shoot Interview (Complete), archived from the original on December 13, 2021, retrieved August 29, 2021
- ^ Cawthon, Graham (January 16, 2023). "Results: 1989". TheHistoryOfWWE.com.
WWF @ Hartford, CT - Civic Center - June 22, 1989 WWF Tag Team Champions Demolition (sub. for Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) & Tito Santana defeated Rick Martel, Jacques, & Raymond Rougeau
- ^ Cawthon, Graham (January 16, 2023). "Results: 1993". TheHistoryOfWWE.com.
- ^ Inside Wrestling, October 1991 article "Tito Santana's violent vendetta against Tony Atlas", and Pro Wrestling Illustrated 1991.
- ^ "Matches " Tito Santana " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ^ Tito Santana in IWCCW, retrieved October 11, 2021
- ^ Inside Wrestling 1995, Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Wrestle America.
- ^ "Past results". Chikara. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
- ^ Namako, Jason (September 15, 2012). "9/14 Chikara "King of Trios: Night 1" Results: Easton, PA". WrestleView. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Former Hall of Fame Pro Wrestler". November 1, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
- ^ a b Rothstein, Michael (December 4, 2017). "Tito Santana reflects on his storied career in professional wrestling". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ Indy Reporter (February 2, 2007). "INDY NEWS: Stevie Richards & Tito Santana Clinics @ IWF Wrestling School". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved February 26, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Quinones, Eric (February 11, 2000). "TITO SANTANA HAD PRIORITIES STRAIGHT". Newark Star-Ledger.
- ^ Monday, Michael (April 4, 2013). "WrestleMania 29: The legend of Tito Santana -- and Senor Solis". The Star Ledger. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- SlamWrestling.net. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ Lowson, Thomas (June 16, 2023). "WWE Legend Tito Santana Retires From Teaching At 70 Years Old". SEScoops. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ "American Wrestling Federation - OWW". December 18, 2023.
- ^ IWF The 19th Annual LOUD n PROUD CageMatch. Retrieved March 13, 2023
- ^ ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- ^ "Houston Wrestling Gold Cup Tournament - Tag 3 " Events Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (December 10, 2012). "Mon. update: Major Spike announcement tomorrow, Aces & 8s identity, TNA injury updates, Hall of Fame inductions announced, WWE two PPVs this weekend, Jericho schedule, Amateur wrestling hits MSG first time ever". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "USA Pro Heavyweight Championship History".
- ^ "PWInsiderXTRA.com". www.pwinsiderxtra.com. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
- ^ "WrestleReunion 2 " Events Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net.
External links
- Merced Solis at IMDb
- Tito Santana on WWE.com
- Tito Santana's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database