El Canek

:"for the Itza mayan rulers, see CanekInfobox Wrestler
name=El Canek
names=Canek
El Canek
El Universitario
Príncipe Azul


img_capt=
height=height|m=1.83
weight=convert|110|kg|lb st|abbr=on
real_height=
real_weight=
birth_date=Birth date and age|1952|6|19|mf=y
birth_place=Frontera, Tabasco
death_date=
death_place=
billed=
trainer=Ham Lee
Indio Azteca
Maciste
El Remington I
El Chacal
debut=1972
retired=

Canek is a masked Mexican professional wrestler currently performing part time for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. [ [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/e/el-canek.html Online World of Wrestling ] ]

Professional wrestling career

In 1972, he debuted as "El Universitario" at the age of 18. In 1973, he would change his name to Canek, a name inspired by the Mayan Indian leader Jacinto Canek. [ [http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/107083.canek-un-gran-luchador-mexicano.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcanek%2Bmayan%2Bjacinto%2Blucha%2Blibre%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1B3GGGL_enUS247US248%26sa%3DG%26pwst%3D1 Canek, a great Mexican fighter] ]

As the major heavyweight working for the Universal Wrestling Association promotion, he became one of Lucha Libre's biggest attractions during the 1980s.

Canek started his rise to stardom after winning the National Light Heavyweight Title by defeating Dr. Wagner on January 15, 1978. He would lose that title on June 20 of that same year to his rival Dos Caras. On September 27, 1978, Canek would gain international exposure by defeating Lou Thesz to win his first of fifteen UWA World Heavyweight Championship titles that he would hold during his career. At around the same time, the UWA made a talent trading agreement with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Japanese superstars like Antonio Inoki and Riki Chōshū would travel to Mexico to face Canek, while Canek would travel to Japan to face stars like Tiger Mask and Tatsumi Fujinami. Canek's matches against foreign superstars drew such large crowds that UWA would continue using this same formula for more than a decade.

Although the UWA ceased to exist in 1995, Canek continued defending and trading the UWA title, although his June 2004 loss at the hands of former partner Dr. Wagner, Jr. may signal a long break in Canek's monopoly as Dr. Wagner Jr. remains the reigning title holder.

Canek holds victories over several international stars including Lou Thesz, Hulk Hogan, André the Giant, Yokozuna, Big Van Vader, Owen Hart and Japanese stars Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Chōshū and Kim Duk. During the 90's, Canek had a very long feud with Mil Mascaras who he never defeated. He famously bodyslammed both Andre the Giant and Yokozuna (under the name Kokina).

Canek has also competed in MMA matches in Japan and even owns a win against Osamu Tachihikari.

Canek signed a contract with AWC wrestling in late 2007. He won the AWC Heavyweight Championship but lost it a few weeks later. In early March he retired due to an incident.

In wrestling

Finishing and signature move(s)::*Gorilla Press:*Top Rope Dive

Championships and accomplishments

*Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F.:*Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

*Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre:*CMLL World Tag Team Championship] (1 time) - with Dr. Wagner, Jr.:*CMLL World Trios Championship (1 time) - with Black Warrior & Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.

*International Wrestling Revolution Group:*IWRG Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)

*Pro Wrestling Illustrated:*PWI ranked him # 79 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the PWI Years in 2003.

*Universal Wrestling Association:*UWA World Heavyweight Championship (15 times)

*Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards:*Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)

*Other titles:*Northern Mexico Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

References