José Lothario Passes Away
The NWA legend was perhaps best known to WWE fans as the trainer of Shawn Michaels.
Guadalupe Robledo, otherwise known as NWA Hall of Famer José Lothario has sadly passed away at the age of 83.
The Mexican wrestler, trainer, and manager competed mostly in NWA-affiliated organisations in Florida and Texas.
To many WWE fans, Lothario will probably best be known as the trainer of Shawn Michaels - whom he taught in the '80s. WWE would later bring Lothario in as HBK's manager in 1996, and he accompanied Michaels for his lengthy victory over Bret Hart in the main event of WrestleMania XII.
He even wrestled a match on pay per view, defeating Jim Cornette in under a minute at In Your House 10: Mind Games.
Lothario was also a key part of Michaels' later feud with Sycho Sid. Sid ended HBK's reign at Survivor Series '96, attacking Lothario with a ringside camera en route to victory. Michaels and Lothario would gain revenge at the 1997 Royal Rumble, with HBK winning back the title and using a ringside camera for his own gain.
WWE have released their own statement regarding his passing:
'WWE is saddened to learn that Jose Lothario has reportedly passed away at age 83. Despite never winning a WWE-sanctioned championship or competing at WrestleMania, Jose Lothario – born Guadalupe Robledo on Dec. 12, 1934 – made a lasting mark on the WWE Universe by simply agreeing to train a cocky teenager from San Antonio, Texas. A cocky teenager that grew up to become WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. [...] Of course, Lothario became an effective mentor only after establishing his well-traveled reputation as a gritty grappler. As an NWA mainstay, he helped usher in popular Mexican wrestling styles to the sports-entertainment scene in the United States. His fans knew him best as "Super Sock," a nickname recognizing the punches Lothario used to dole out during his past experiences in boxing.'
The Mexican wrestler, trainer, and manager competed mostly in NWA-affiliated organisations in Florida and Texas.
To many WWE fans, Lothario will probably best be known as the trainer of Shawn Michaels - whom he taught in the '80s. WWE would later bring Lothario in as HBK's manager in 1996, and he accompanied Michaels for his lengthy victory over Bret Hart in the main event of WrestleMania XII.
He even wrestled a match on pay per view, defeating Jim Cornette in under a minute at In Your House 10: Mind Games.
Lothario was also a key part of Michaels' later feud with Sycho Sid. Sid ended HBK's reign at Survivor Series '96, attacking Lothario with a ringside camera en route to victory. Michaels and Lothario would gain revenge at the 1997 Royal Rumble, with HBK winning back the title and using a ringside camera for his own gain.
WWE have released their own statement regarding his passing:
'WWE is saddened to learn that Jose Lothario has reportedly passed away at age 83. Despite never winning a WWE-sanctioned championship or competing at WrestleMania, Jose Lothario – born Guadalupe Robledo on Dec. 12, 1934 – made a lasting mark on the WWE Universe by simply agreeing to train a cocky teenager from San Antonio, Texas. A cocky teenager that grew up to become WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. [...] Of course, Lothario became an effective mentor only after establishing his well-traveled reputation as a gritty grappler. As an NWA mainstay, he helped usher in popular Mexican wrestling styles to the sports-entertainment scene in the United States. His fans knew him best as "Super Sock," a nickname recognizing the punches Lothario used to dole out during his past experiences in boxing.'
Written by Jack King
jack.king@cultaholic.com Twitter: @JackTheJobber
