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LUCHA LEGEND RAYO DE JALISCO PASSES AWAY AT 85

By Mike Johnson on 2018-07-20 11:30:00

Mexican legend Rayo de Jalisco, real name Maximo Linares Moreno, passed away last night at the age of 85 years, it was reported in a number of outlets out of Mexico.

Jalisco was a huge star during his run in Mexico, which began back in 1950 and was among the stars who became so well known in Mexico that he starred in a number of feature films alongside names like Mil Mascaras and Blue Demon, among others.

After wrestling under several different personas, he debuted as El Rayo in 1960 before donning his now iconic black mask emblazoned with a lightning bolt across the face as Rayo de Jalisco.  He had a storied career, including a feud against El Bestia where Jalisco captured his mask.  He regularly teamed with Blue Demon, who many years later, eventually took Jalisco's mask.

Over the course of his career, Jalisco held the NWA Middleweight Championship and Occidente Welterweight Championship, among other titles.  He was considered the hometown hero in Jalisco, Mexico.  Jalisco, famous for a backwards tope, officially retired in 1989.

Jalisco's brothers as well as son and grandson have all worked in the lucha libre world, adding to Jalisco's legacy.   He was inducted into the AAA Hall of Fame in 2014.  His passing last night led to his name trending on Twitter.

On behalf of everyone associated with PWInsider.com, we'd like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Rayo de Jalisco.

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