Black Tiger's legendary legacy comes to Major League Wrestling as 9th incarnation forges his own path
Black Tiger's legendary legacy comes to Major League Wrestling as 9th incarnation forges his own path
Black Tiger has a lengthy legacy in professional wrestling. The original character made its debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as an opponent for the legendary Tiger Mask and has prominently been used in the promotion since the 1980s.
Its rare that Black Tiger is seen outside of New Japan but the current pro wrestling landscape has allowed figures and characters to pop up in companies around the world. The latest incarnation of Black Tiger (who was previously known as Magnus) performs in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and has made appearances with (MLW). Hes the ninth version of the figure.
Black Tiger told OutKick Dropkick in a recent interview that representing the legendary Lucha Libre figure was important for reasons bigger than him.
"Its very important because its not just about me. Its my company, CMLL, but I also have the opportunity to be Black Tiger," he said. "At some point, I need to represent my culture, Lucha Libre in CMLL, but also I need to represent New Japan Pro-Wrestling. I need to work hard to explain to the world and to explain to the people, not just in the arena, but around the world because everybody knows now MLW has different ways to see every event.
"I think its very important to always be in the gym, always train because its not just my culture. I am a second-generation pro wrestler. So, I need to represent my company, my legacy, New Japan, all the Black Tigers since the very first Black Tiger like Mark Rocco, Eddie Guerrero. Big, big names in this business. Its difficult, but for me, always, MLW, CMLL, New Japan, have a special place in my heart. I need to always be ready for the opportunity."
Black Tiger is one half of the tag team known as Los Depredadores with Rugido. The two hold the Mexican National Tag Team Championship in CMLL. Having the belt raises the prestige of Black Tiger but he knows theres still a lot of work to do to make the figure a household name in pro wrestling circles.
He has big plans for that part.
"I want to do everything," he said. "For me, the first step is to get the Black Tiger name around the world, in the best companies. Now, its different because we have internet or different apps to see wrestling. For me, step by step, I try to make the Black Tiger name (known) around the world. I already been in UK, Japan, the States. I would like to be in, maybe, Canada or maybe Australia. I dont know.
"I just want to make the name bigger. The last Black Tigers are good wrestlers – Rocky Romero, Eddie Guerrero – but maybe they have a bigger name not as Black Tiger. Maybe as Black Tiger, they only work in Japan. But for me, I would like to be around the world with this name. Im sure Im going to make it – little by little, step by step."
Getting to the casual pro wrestling fan is on Black Tigers list as well.
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The average person may not exactly be in tune with the historical lore of Japanese pro wrestling or Lucha Libre. Black Tiger said he was aware of that and hoped to be able to showcase parts of the characters past that have helped shape it today.
"I need to bring a little bit of every Black Tiger," he told OutKick Dropkick. "Sometimes, in some matches, just get the style of the first Black Tiger, sometimes the No. 3 Black Tiger and also, at some point, for su
