Jose Luis Rivera
Jose Luis Rivera
Birthplace: Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
Professional Wrestling Career, which consists of at least seven on and off signings with WWF
(currently known as WWE)
Aliases (Wrestling Career):
- Mac Rivera
- Jose Luis Rivera
- Black Shadow
- Red Demon
- Conquistador #1
- Black Demon
- Juan Lopez
- Mr. X
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 238 lbs.
Wrestling Debut: Late 1970’s
Early Life
Growing up in a household of seven children; Jose Rivera being one of 5 boys and 2
girls, always had a fascination and aspirations of becoming a professional wrestler. At the age of
14, Rivera had moved out of Puerto Rico to begin continue attending school and beginning work
in the U.S. Monthly, he would go to Madison Square Garden to watch local wrestling matches
and competitions. During which he would always vividly imagine and immerse himself in
thoughts of stepping into a wrestling ring on his own.
First Contact
In 1973 Jose Rivera met Pedro Morales, who at the time held the World Wrestling
Federation Championship (currently named the WWE World Heavyweight Championship).
Morales saw potential in Rivera, and thus sent him to take introductory training classes at the
Williamsburg Wrestling Club centered in Brooklyn, New York. After three weeks of continuous
and rigorous training, Rivera was offered his first official matchup. Sometime after the matchup,
he moved to New Jersey and began to wrestle during a local segment on channel 41, the segment
at the time was named “Rings de 41”. In 1975, he returned to Puerto Rico for several months
performing wrestling matches as a free agent for local companies.
NWA
Upon returning to the U.S. and traveling to Texas in 1978, he met famous Mexican
wrestler Jose Lotorio. Through Lotorio, Rivera was able to make contact with a local promoter
by the name of Gary Hart whom was in charge of local recruiting and talent. After observing his
skill, Hart invited Rivera to try out in Dallas, Texas. After a few months of training and gaining
positive influence and promotion, Rivera gained the break of a lifetime when he was offered to
compete for the National Wrestling Alliance. While in partnership with the NWA, Rivera met
many popular and rising stars, such as “Superstar” Billy Graham, Dusty Rhodes (whom he
wrestled with several times), Afa and Sika of the Wild Samoans and many more, with the 8
months being the then greatest highlights of his career. During the late 1970’s, there had been
many rapid negative changes in the NWA although this did not deter Rivera from his passion of
wrestling. A short time later, he wrestled Ivan Putski who admired his resolve and technique,
earning Rivera and invitation to return the following day to compete while televised. However,
he soon discovered the negative treatment the newcomers (referred to as the “bobby’s”) such as
himself had received, and thus opted out of his contract with the NWA. Sometime later, he
continued to wrestle for local wrestling companies centered in New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut.
Return to the WWF
In 1982, Rivera returned to sign with WWF, under the new ring name of Mac Rivera. By
1973 competing under this name, CEO Vincent McMahon Jr. expressed his interest in Rivera,
opting to offer him a job working with the WWC Company. However McMahon had one
condition for offering the job: he would need to change his ring name of Mac Rivera to
“something a little more Latin”, prompting the transition from “Mac Rivera” to “Jose Luis
Rivera”. After 6 months of competing for the WWC brand, he received another call from
McMahon, who stated his interest in Rivera and offered him a debut match for the WWF at
Madison Square Garden, his childhood dream ring. After continuing for several years later with
the WWF into late 1989, Rivera suffered a sidelining injury: a fractured collarbone in the ring,
prompting his departure from the WWF. He took time to recover and soon returned to Puerto
Rico to wrestle part-time for companies like: AWA, WWC, PWA, WWS, and NWS among
others where he continued wrestling until his retirement from the ring.
Present Day
Now, Rivera is currently semi-retired yet competing and bringing to life many ring
names; Black Demon, Red Demon, Mac Rivera, Jose Luis Rivera, Black Shadow, Juan Lopez,
Mr. X and Conquistador #1. He makes many appearances at local and televised charity events
for women and children in Puerto Rico who suffer from cancer, in an effort to support the cause
for treatment and receiving funding as such. In 2014, Rivera guest appeared on a Cleveland radio
show to discuss his recent endeavors. He has also received recognition of proclamation from
Raul de Molina, currently a host of live entertainment talk show “Gordo y la Flaca”. The same
year, Rivera was inducted by Joseph Bruen into the New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
for his outstanding feats as a professional wrestler, thus achieving his goal for his later years: a
hall of fame induction. Recently, Rivera attended autograph signings and conventions at the
LaGuardia Plaza Hotel and Crowne Plaza in March and June of 2015, respectively. Being an
important touchstone in his life, wrestling is still an important part in his life and to this day
continues to attend conventions and charities to support many others.
