In front of thousands of fans gathered at Arena Ciudad de México, the legendary luchador Hijo del Santo kicked off his highly anticipated Farewell Tour. This event was nothing short of historic, featuring some of the biggest names in lucha libre, such as L.A. Park, Dr. Wagner Jr., Fuerza Guerrera, and Canek Jr., all coming together to pay tribute to Hijo del Santo’s incredible career. However, the respect for his legacy quickly turned into intense competition as the battles commenced inside the ring.
The highlight of the night was the infamous Torneo de la Muerte, where masks and hair were on the line. The stakes were high, and for the 16 luchadores involved, the tension was palpable. The tournament featured some of the top names in the sport, including Texano Jr, Súper Nova, Canek Jr., Misterioso Jr., Ciclón Ramírez Jr., Rayman, El Hijo de Máscara Año 2000, Solar, El Hijo de Fishman, Bobby Lee Jr., Cinta de Oro, Dr. Wagner Jr., L.A. Park, Fuerza Guerrera, and, of course, the man of the hour, Hijo del Santo.
After random pairings were made, eight wrestlers remained to battle it out for their survival. In a dramatic showdown, Súper Nova and El Hijo de Máscara Sagrada were the last men standing, securing their masks and hair. In earlier rounds, Texano Jr. and Solar, Cinta de Oro and Bobby Lee Jr., and L.A. Park and Dr. Wagner Jr. all managed to save themselves. Ciclón Ramírez Jr., Misterioso Jr., El Hijo de Máscara Sagrada, and El Hijo de Fishman fought bravely in the losers’ bracket to survive.
In the final confrontation, Hijo del Santo and Fuerza Guerrera faced Rayman and El Hijo de Máscara Año 2000. Fortunately for the legendary Hijo del Santo, he was able to defeat his opponents, saving both his and Fuerza Guerrera’s identities. This left Rayman and El Hijo de Máscara Año 2000 to fight for survival, with the latter losing his hair in a dramatic moment of defeat.
A Challenge from Ángel Blanco Jr.
Amidst the excitement, Ángel Blanco Jr. made a surprise appearance, challenging Hijo del Santo. Ángel Blanco Jr., the son of the iconic José Ángel Vargas Sánchez, expressed frustration at not being invited to the event, insinuating that Hijo del Santo had feared facing him. Hijo del Santo, however, denied the accusation, stating that CMLL had not granted permission for his participation.
Moreover, Hijo del Santo called out Ángel Blanco Jr. for wearing a mask, which he had lost in a mask vs. mask match back in 2012, according to lucha libre tradition. The confrontation added another layer of drama to the already memorable evening.
Other Matches of the Night
Before the main event, there was an exciting women’s match featuring Lady Apache, Shamila, and Therius against Hija de Fuerza Guerrera, Ludark Shaitan, and Vanilla Vargas. The match was intense, with Lady Apache‘s team ultimately coming out victorious after overcoming an early setback.
The night began with an international showdown between French wrestler Heddi Karaoui and Cerebro Negro. Karaoui secured the win via submission, though Cerebro Negro appeared to have injured his shoulder during the match, raising concerns among fans about the severity of his condition.
The Legacy of Hijo del Santo
As the farewell tour continues, it’s clear that Hijo del Santo’s impact on lucha libre is immeasurable. He is the heir to perhaps the greatest legend in Mexican wrestling, his father, El Santo. With 42 years of active competition, Hijo del Santo has carried on his father’s legacy with pride, bringing the iconic silver mask to new generations of fans.
This Farewell Tour is an emotional journey for both Hijo del Santo and his fans. For the man behind the mask, it’s a bittersweet moment. “At first, it was sadness, uncertainty… but then, I felt content to have made the decision to say goodbye. It’s been 42 years of activity, and the man behind the mask wants to do other things,” Hijo del Santo shared.
El Hijo del Santo (in front, in silver costume) in a match against Blue Demon Jr
He recalled his early realization that his father was the legendary El Santo: “I was very young, about 7 years old, and I thought my father was a traveling agent. One Sunday, he took me to his work at the Plaza de Toros El Cortijo, and when people started shouting ‘Santo! Santo!’ I realized my father was behind the mask.”
Final Thoughts
As Hijo del Santo prepares to bid farewell to the ring, he reflects on his long career. “There were tough times, especially at the beginning, when people didn’t believe in me. But I persevered, and over time, I earned the respect of fans and peers alike.”
The Farewell Tour is set to visit several cities, including Guanajuato, Monterrey, Puebla, Veracruz, Guadalajara, and Yucatán, before heading to international destinations like London, the United States, and Japan.
While Hijo del Santo is saying goodbye to active wrestling, he has plenty of projects lined up, including a biographical series about his father and a public museum dedicated to his family’s lucha libre legacy. “I’m doing this to protect my health, but I will continue to engage with the public through these projects,” he assured his fans.
With this tour, one era in lucha libre ends, but the legend of El Hijo del Santo will continue to inspire generations to come.
