Black Man (wrestler) explained

Black Man
Birthname:Álvaro Meléndez Tibanez
Birth Date:19 February 1949
Birth Place:Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Height:168 cm
Weight:86 kg
Trainer:Diablo Velasco
Debut:1965

Álvaro Meléndez Tibanez (February 19, 1949 – February 28, 2022) was a Mexican Spanish; Castilian: [[Lucha Libre|luchador]] (Spanish for professional wrestler) better known as Black Man. He was considered a very talented wrestler, and innovative when it comes to high flying moves.

Tibanez died on February 28, 2022, aged 73.[1]

Professional wrestling career

He is most known for a being part of a tag team, first with White Man, Alberto Muñoz, who formed a fan favorite tag team. The two teamed for a while but never won a tag team title, despite several chances at the Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship.[2] By 1978 Muñoz dropped the "White Man" character as he was forced to work a reduced schedule due to age and injuries.[2]

Later, Black Man would form Los Fantasticos with Kung Fu and Kato Kung Lee, a very popular trios team from the early 1980s.[3] Black Man would later try to reform Los Fantasticos with Kendo and Avispon Negro, but the trio was never as popular as the originals. He was once El Santo's high risk move double in a movie. Late in his career he worked under the ring name Celestial, complete with a new mask and outfit to not reveal his real identity.[4]

Championships and accomplishments

Luchas de Apuestas record

width=20% scope="col"Winner (wager)width=20% scope="col"Loser (wager)width=20% scope="col"Locationwidth=20% scope="col"Eventwidth=15% scope="col"DateNotes
Dr. O'Borman (mask) Spiderman (mask) Tijuana, Baja California Live event [8]
Black Man (mask) Demonio Azul (mask) N/A Live event
Black Man and El Matemático (masks) El Signo and Lobo Rubio (hair) Naucalpan, State of Mexico Live event
Black Man (mask) Pantera Negra (hair) Pachuca, Hidalgo Live event
Blue Panther and Black Man (masks) Las Sombras de Plata (masks) Naucalpan, State of Mexico Live event
Blue Panther (mask) Black Man (mask) Naucalpan, State of Mexico Live event
El Brazo (hair) Black Man (hair) Naucalpan, State of Mexico Live event
Black Man (hair) Black Terry (hair) Querétaro, Querétaro Live event
Negro Casas (hair) Black Man (hair) Nezahualcoyotl, State of Mexico Live event
Celestial (mask) Demonio Arrieta (hair) Mexico City Live event
Celestial (mask) Pólvora (mask) Querétaro, Querétaro Live event
Super Delfin (mask) Black Man (mask) Tokyo, Japan Live event

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Boutwell . Josh . Lucha legend Black Man passes away at age 73 . WWE News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW Results . March 1, 2022. December 11, 2022. Legendary luchador Black Man – real name Alvaro Melendez Tibanez – passed away on Feb. 28 at the age of 73..
  2. News: Enciclopedia de las Mascaras. White Man. Mexico City, Mexico. Tomo VII. 39. December 2007. Spanish.
  3. News: Grandes Figuras de la Lucha Libre. Kung Fu. Portales, Mexico. 17. 34. November 2008. Spanish.
  4. Web site: Reapareció Black Man para estar con sus aficionados. Apolo. Valdés. October 14, 2012. October 14, 2012. Medio Tiempo. Spanish.
  5. Book: Royal. Duncan. Gary. Will. Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. Mexico: Universal Wrestling Federation Lightweight Title. 400. 2000. 0-9698161-5-4.
  6. Book: Royal. Duncan. Gary. Will. Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. Mexico: UWA Trios Title. 399. 2000. 0-9698161-5-4.
  7. Book: Royal. Duncan. Gary. Will. Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. MEXICO: Universal Wrestling Federation Welterweight Title. 397. 2000. 0-9698161-5-4.
  8. News: Enciclopedia de las Mascaras. Black Man. Mexico City, Mexico. Tomo I. 32. August 2007. Spanish.