#5: Negro Navarro

by Eric

Sometimes in life things change for the better. Bands exist like Mission of Burma, who had a short but amazing run in the early 80s, went on side project hiatus for the next 20 years, then re-emerged with three great albums (more output than during their first run!) within the last 5 years. Negro Navarro was part of one of the greatest trios of all-time in the 80s, but was not the best member of the team. He all but disappeared from tape trading circles for much of the 90s, starting popping up and looking great in IWRG around 2000, then re-emerged within the last couple years in amazing physical shape, and finally ditching the balding Caesar look and going with a clean shaved head. The end result was the most badass possible Ed Asner who would punch you in the chest, tornado clothesline your boots off, and tie your limbs up in knots. His speed and agility belies his 52 years of age, and it's a shame that while much of his best current work has been delivered to us by IWRG, plenty of matches from his European tours with Santo have gone unseen. A true tragedy. His style is a gracefully aging style that seems to be disappearing from modern lucha, and one that he does better than anybody. Appreciate it while you can.

Recommended 2008 Matches:

~w/ Arkangel de la Muerte vs. Daisuke Hanaoka/Satoshi Kajiwara (Toryumon Mexico, 5/11/08)
~w/ Shu El Guerrero vs. Solar/Super Astro (Monterey, 5/18/08)
~w/ Shu El Guerrero vs. Super Astro/Ultraman Jr. (Monterey, 5/25/08)
~w/ Hijo del Cien Caras/Mascara Ano 2000 Jr. vs. Pantera/Mano Negra/El Halcon (IWRG, 8/21/08)
~vs. Black Terry (Thank you youtube! NWA, 11/1/08)
~vs. Solar vs. El Engendro (FMLL, 12/13/08)

Recommended Career Matches:

~vs. El Dandy (IWRG, 11/18/01)
~w/ Pantera/Bombero Infernal vs. El Dandy/Ultimo Vampiro/Fantasma (IWRG, 3/4/02)
~w/ El Signo/Texano vs. Solar/Super Astro/Ultraman (IWRG, 2/10/05)
~w/ Villano IV/Villano V vs. Solar/Heavy Metal/Dos Caras Jr. (AULL, 11/2/06)
~w/ Rambo vs. Villano III/Villano IV (AULL, 7/1/07)
~w/ Mano Negra vs. Solar/Super Astro (Monterey, 10/14/07)

2009 Outlook:

High. He's had a lot of awesome matches this year, and repeating this spot or higher is highly likely. It would take a mind-numbingly bad final 3 months to counterbalance his first 9 months. He is a top contender for the #1 spot.