Cassandro

Armendáriz was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, but also spent a lot of time just across the Mexican border in Juárez, Chihuahua, his family's native town.{{cite web |last=Cabana |first=Colt |author-link=Colt Cabana |date=March 2, 2011 |title=AOW 32: Cassandro |url=http://tsmradio.com/coltcabana/podpress_trac/web/90/0/show32.mp3 |access-date=November 1, 2011 |work=Art of Wrestling |format=MP3 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At the age of fifteen, Armendáriz quit school and began training lucha libre in Juárez.

He officially began his professional wrestling career in 1988, working under a mask as Mister Romano. The character, made up by well known luchador Rey Misterio, was a gladiator themed rudo (villain). Less than a year later, Armendáriz was encouraged to abandon the character and take on a new exótico character by Babe Sharon. Exóticos are male wrestlers dressed in drag portraying gay caricatures. While most exóticos were straight, both Sharon and Armendáriz were gay. Armendáriz wrestled his first match as an exótico in Juárez, working unmasked and under the new ring name Rosa Salvaje ("Wild Rose").

In late 1989, Armendáriz joined the Mexican Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) promotion, where he formed a new partnership with fellow exótico Pimpinela Escarlata, whom he had first met when the two were trained together in Juárez.{{cite web | url= http://luchalibreaaa.com/%C2%BFquien-es-casandro.php | title= ¿Quién es Casandro? | date= October 11, 2011 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work= Lucha Libre AAA World Wide | language= Spanish | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111014033532/http://luchalibreaaa.com/%C2%BFquien-es-casandro.php | archive-date= October 14, 2011 | url-status= dead }} Eventually, Armendáriz decided to change his ring name and, in order to do so, first lost the right to use his old one by losing to Johnny Vannessa in a Lucha de Apuestas (bet match). He then adopted the new ring name Cassandro, which he took from a Tijuana brothel keeper named Cassandra, whom he adored.

On January 28, 1991, after a negative backlash to reports that he was going to get to wrestle El Hijo del Santo for the UWA World Welterweight Championship, Armendáriz attempted suicide by cutting his wrists with a razor blade, but was saved by Escarlata, who found him in the bathroom. The title match happened a week later and Armendáriz credits it as the match that earned him the lucha libre community's acceptance. Though Cassandro failed to win the UWA World Welterweight Championship from El Hijo del Santo, he managed to win his first title, the UWA World Lightweight Championship, on October 29, 1992, by defeating Lasser, becoming the first exótico in history to hold a championship in UWA.{{cite web | url= http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/wlwuwa.html | title= Universal Wrestling Association World Lightweight Title | last=Duncan | first=Royal |author2=Westcott, Brian | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Solie's Title Histories}} After a twenty-month reign, he would lose the title to El Seminarista. He would wrestle for UWA until 1995, when the promotion closed its doors,{{cite book | author= Madigan, Dan | title= Mondo Lucha a Go Go: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling | publisher= HarperCollins Publishers | year= 2007 | chapter = Ray Mendoza and Los Villaños | pages = 193–196 | isbn=978-0-06-085583-3}} and began then wrestling on the independent circuit for promotions both in Mexico and the United States. Around this time, Armendáriz began abusing drugs and alcohol, which started to affect his professional wrestling career. Through spiritualism, he finally found sobriety on June 4, 2003, a date which is tattooed on his back.

After several quiet years, Cassandro returned to mainstream lucha libre in December 2005 by joining top Mexican promotion Lucha Libre AAA World Wide (AAA), starting a rivalry with former partner Pimpinela Escarlata. The big grudge match between Cassandro and Escarlata took place on May 18, 2006, and ended in a no contest, after which the two competitors agreed to a Hair vs. Hair match at a future date.{{cite web | url= http://www.f4wonline.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1634&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=1 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131002075149/http://www.f4wonline.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1634&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=1 | url-status= dead | archive-date= October 2, 2013 | title= Tuesday news: Mexico, DX DVD, HBK storyline, MNM, more | last=Alvarez | first=Bryan | author-link=Bryan Alvarez | date=May 22, 2006 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} On June 18 at Triplemanía XIV, Cassandro led a four-man team to face Escarlata's team in an eight-man tag team match, which ended in another no contest.{{cite web | url= http://luchalibreaaa.com/triplemania-xiv-la-parka-descubre-el-rostro-de-el-mesias.php | title= Triplemanía XIV: La Parka descubre el rostro de El Mesías… | date= June 24, 2011 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work= Lucha Libre AAA World Wide | language= Spanish | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111026045818/http://luchalibreaaa.com/triplemania-xiv-la-parka-descubre-el-rostro-de-el-mesias.php | archive-date= October 26, 2011 | url-status= dead }} Shortly afterwards, Cassandro suffered an injury, which led to him leaving AAA and returning to the independent circuit. A year later on July 15, 2007, at Triplemanía XV, Cassandro made a one night return to AAA, teaming with Alfa, Cynthia Moreno and Faby Apache to defeat Escarlata, Cynthia Moreno, El Oriental and Mini Abismo Negro.{{cite web | url= http://luchalibreaaa.com/triplemania-xv-se-estrena-el-domo-de-la-muerte-con-kenzo-rapado.php | title= Triplemanía XV: Se estrena el Domo de la Muerte, con Kenzo rapado | date= June 24, 2011 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work= Lucha Libre AAA World Wide | language= Spanish | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111026004100/http://luchalibreaaa.com/triplemania-xv-se-estrena-el-domo-de-la-muerte-con-kenzo-rapado.php | archive-date= October 26, 2011 | url-status= dead }} Three months later, Cassandro began again wrestling regularly for AAA, now working as a técnico, teaming with Escarlata against the rudo exótico stable Los Night Queens (Jessy, Nygma, Polvo de Estrellas and Yuriko).{{cite web | url= http://superluchas.com/video-reporteaaa-homenaje-a-antonio-pena-7-oct-07/ | title= Video reporte:AAA, Homenaje a Antonio Peña (7 Oct 07) | date= October 8, 2007 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Súper Luchas| language=Spanish}} Eventually, Cassandro and Escarlata formed the stable Los Exoticos with May Flowers and Pasión Cristal to even out the numbers between the rival groups.

File:Cassandro.jpg

After once again leaving AAA in April 2008, Cassandro began working for promotions such as National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Perros del Mal Producciones (PdM), Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA-MS) and in early 2009 signed a contract with American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Armandariz made his TNA debut on January 27, 2009, working under the ring name Satanico del Exotico in a dark match, where he defeated Petey Williams.{{cite web | url= http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1233306298 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120511044046/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1233306298 | title= Viva La Raza! # Once (11) | last=Boutwell | first=Josh | archive-date=May 11, 2012 | date= January 30, 2009 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Wrestleview}} In March, TNA began promoting Armandariz's upcoming debut under the new ring name Andromeda.{{cite web | url= http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1236925821 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120511051623/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1236925821 | title= Viva La Raza! # Diecisiete | last=Boutwell | first=Josh | archive-date=May 11, 2012 | date= March 13, 2009 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Wrestleview}} However, after several months of inactivity with the promotion, it was reported in August that Armendáriz and TNA had parted ways. Armendáriz publicly blamed his departure on homophobia.{{cite web | url= http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1250713449 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120429055004/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1250713449 | title= Why a TNA character never debuted | last=Martin | first=Adam | archive-date=April 29, 2012 | date= August 14, 2009 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Wrestleview}}{{cite web | url= http://superluchas.com/casandro-responde-a-las-dudas-expresadas-por-usuarios-de-super-luchas-aclara-que-paso-con-andromeda/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140116183036/http://superluchas.com/casandro-responde-a-las-dudas-expresadas-por-usuarios-de-super-luchas-aclara-que-paso-con-andromeda/ | title= Casandro responde a las dudas expresadas por usuarios de Súper Luchas – Aclara que pasó con "Andromeda" | last= Ruiz Glez | first= Alex | archive-date=January 16, 2014 | date= October 27, 2007 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Súper Luchas| language=Spanish}} On April 3, 2010, Cassandro made his debut for Ring of Honor (ROH), defeating Rhett Titus at The Big Bang! pay-per-view.{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_40401.shtml|title=Radican's ROH The Big Bang PPV Blog 4/3: Black vs. Aries vs. Strong, Briscoes vs. KOW|date=April 3, 2010|last=Radican|first=Sean|access-date=November 1, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}} During the match, Armendáriz broke his leg, which forced him to pull out of Chikara's King of Trios tournament later that same month.{{cite web | url= http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1271548069 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100424142358/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1271548069 | title= Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly | last=Boutwell | first=Josh | archive-date=April 24, 2010 | date= April 17, 2010 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Wrestleview}} On June 25, 2011, NWA Mexico, while touring the United Kingdom, set up a match to determine the first NWA World Welterweight Champion since getting the title back from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). In the match Cassandro defeated Dr. Cerebro to win the championship.{{cite web | url= http://superluchas.com/cassandro-obtiene-el-titulo-mundial-welter-nwa-en-londres/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140116200601/http://superluchas.com/cassandro-obtiene-el-titulo-mundial-welter-nwa-en-londres/ | title= Cassandro obtiene el Título Mundial welter NWA en Londres | author=Captain Ironstorm | archive-date=January 16, 2014 | date= June 25, 2011 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Súper Luchas| language=Spanish}}

On October 9, 2011, at Héroes Inmortales, Cassandro made his return to AAA, saving Pimpinela Escarlata from exóticos Nygma, Pasión Cristal and Polvo de Estrellas, who had recently started a storyline rivalry with Escarlata based on their envy of the new Reina de Reinas Champion.{{cite web | url= http://superluchas.com/aaa-heroes-inmortales-cobertura-y-resultados-9-de-octubre-de-2011-mesias-vs-sting/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140116200645/http://superluchas.com/aaa-heroes-inmortales-cobertura-y-resultados-9-de-octubre-de-2011-mesias-vs-sting/ | title= AAA Héroes Inmortales (Cobertura y resultados 9 de Octubre de 2011) – Mesias y Sting empatan y unen sus fuerzas contra Konnan, Jarrett y sus aliados, Wagner gana pero Octagón y La Parka lo traicionan, los perros pierden las cabelleras | last=Cano Vela | first=Eduardo | archive-date=January 16, 2014 | date= October 9, 2011 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Superluchas | language=Spanish}} Cassandro wrestled his AAA return match on November 5, teaming with Escarlata and La Braza in a six-man tag team match, where they defeated Nygma, Pasión Cristal and Yuriko.{{cite web | url= http://luchalibreaaa.com/en-ecatepec-se-consuma-la-venganza-de-octagon.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111117015130/http://luchalibreaaa.com/en-ecatepec-se-consuma-la-venganza-de-octagon.php | title= En Ecatepec, se consuma la venganza de Octagón | archive-date=November 17, 2011 | date= November 6, 2011 | access-date= November 6, 2011 | work=Lucha Libre AAA World Wide | language=Spanish}} On February 17, 2012, Armendáriz announced he was taking an indefinite hiatus from professional wrestling.{{cite web | url= http://rderudooficial.blogspot.com/2012/02/cassandro-se-retira-de-la-lucha.html | title= ¿Cassandro se retira de la lucha? | author=Kru Demmon | date= February 17, 2012 | access-date= February 17, 2012 | work=R de Rudo | language=Spanish}}{{cite web | url= http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1329595424 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120219222345/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1329595424 | title= Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly | last=Boutwell | first=Josh | archive-date=February 19, 2012 | date= February 18, 2012 | access-date= February 19, 2012 | work=Wrestleview}} It was later revealed that Armendáriz had torn his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus and would have to undergo surgery, which would sideline him from professional wrestling for ten to twelve months.{{cite web | url= https://www.wepay.com/donations/cassandro-recuperation-fund-1 | title= Cassandro's Recuperation Fund | access-date=March 3, 2012 | publisher=Facebook}} Cassandro returned to the ring in early 2013.{{cite web | url= http://www.wrestleview.com/featured-articles/39632-feature-viva-la-raza-lucha-weekly-2-9-13 | title=Viva la Raza! Lucha Weekly 2/9/13 | last=Boutwell | first=Josh | date=February 9, 2013 | access-date=March 17, 2013 | work=Wrestleview}} On March 16, 2013, Cassandro took part in Ray Mendoza Jr.'s retirement event, where he teamed up with El Hijo de Pirata Morgan to compete in a Ruleta de la Muerte, a losers advance tag team tournament. The duo lost to Máscara Año 2000 and Rayo de Jalisco Jr. in the first round and to El Solar and Toscano in the second round qualifying them for the finals, where the losing team would be forced to either unmask or have their hair shaved off. The team faced, and lost, to the team of Villano IV and Ray Mendoza Jr., which meant Cassandro had to have his hair shaved off, while El Hijo de Pirata Morgan had to unmask as is traditional with Lucha de Apuestas losses.

Through his regular tours of the United Kingdom and his fluency in English, Cassandro has gained some mainstream attention in the country, including being interviewed on BBC Breakfast.{{cite web | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13573897 | title= Charlie gets kissed by a wrestler | last=Rothstein | first=Simon | date= May 27, 2011 | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=BBC}} In February 2017, Cassandro appeared in a skit on Conan, training Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter to become luchadores.{{cite web | url= http://pwinsider.com/article/108084/conan-obrien-trains-as-luchador-dreamer-bubba-and-velvet-on-impractical-jokers-tonight-ecwa-super-8-competitors-piper-reference-on-the-goldbergs-more-.html?p=1 | title= Conan O'Brien trains as luchador, Dreamer, Bubba and Velvet on 'Impractical Jokers' tonight, ECWA Super 8 competitors, Piper reference on 'The Goldbergs' & more | last=Johnson | first=Mike | date=March 2, 2017 | access-date=March 2, 2017 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}} He was featured in a 2016 New Yorker article entitled "How the Drag Queen Cassandro Became a Star of Mexican Wrestling."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/how-the-drag-queen-cassandro-became-a-star-of-mexican-wrestling|title=How the Drag Queen Cassandro Became a Star of Mexican Wrestling|last=Yorker|first=The New|magazine=The New Yorker|date=2016-11-29|access-date=2020-01-21|language=en|issn=0028-792X}}

He is the subject of the 2018 documentary film Cassandro the Exotico!, by Marie Losier. In 2023, the film Cassandro was made based on his life.

On May 7, 2021, he had a brain embolism removed.

Armendáriz is openly gay.

• Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
• AAA Hall of Fame (2023){{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2023/8/13/23830742/legendary-exotico-cassandro-inducted-into-aaa-hall-of-fame|title=Legendary exotico Cassandro inducted into AAA Hall of Fame|work=Cageside Seats|date=August 13, 2023|accessdate=August 13, 2023}}
• NWA Mexico
• NWA World Welterweight Championship (1 time)
• Universal Wrestling Association
• UWA World Lightweight Championship (1 time)
• Other titles
• Chikara Welterweight Championship (1 time){{cite web | url= http://www.cagematch.de/?id=1&nr=56818 | title= Promociones PC | access-date= November 1, 2011 | work=Cagematch | language=German}}¹

¹Championship not recognized by Chikara.

{{see also|Lucha libre#Luchas de Apuestas|l1=Luchas de Apuestas}}

• List of exóticos

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20111122194608/http://luchalibreaaa.com/casandro.php AAA profile]
• {{Facebook|pages/CASSANDRO-EL-exotico/336425383603}}
• [http://tsmradio.com/coltcabana/podpress_trac/web/90/0/show32.mp3 Cassandro on the Art of Wrestling]{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{AAA Hall of Fame}}

{{NWA World Welterweight Championship|state=collapsed}}

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