Real Name - Juan Manuel Guajardo Mejorado
Birthdate - 1/4/33
??? - Villa Mainero, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Aliases - none
Athletic background - n/a
Teachers - Rolando Vera, Chema López
Peak Years - `60-`75

Place in History - René Guajardo, like many young talents, saw the limitations of being a technico. When he started in the mid-50s, Guajardo was a capable youngster who was working in Mexico City within his first year. By this time, there was a definite glass ceiling for technicos as legendary figures like El Santo and Blue Demon owned the top spots. So, Guajardo made the switch by teaming with a seasoned rudo named Karloff Lagarde. The duo, known as “Los Rebeldes” (The Rebels), was soon battling in the main events and Guajardo proved himself to be an excellent rudo. They soon joined forces with Ray Mendoza and became top rudos in the 1960s. Guajardo and Mendoza became feared men as brutal heels with vast scientific knowledge. It is no surprise the decision was made for them to part ways and do battle in classic battles over the NWA World Middleweight Championship. During the 1960s, René Guajardo would trade that cherished title with the likes of El Rayo de Jalisco, Aníbal and, of course, Ray Mendoza. Guajardo also captured El Santo’s treasured National Middleweight title in the late 1960s. Guajardo was also separated from Lagarde and had a bloody feud for a few years. By the 1970s, Guajardo, Lagarde and Mendoza had accumulated much negotiating power and when Salvador Lutteroth retired, they wanted control. When they did not receive it, they tried to take it by helping form the UWA, Mexico’s first lasting independent promotion. René Guajardo focused on promoting Monterrey and popped the city with violent matches and continued to run it until 1992. He remained affiliated with the UWA for much of that time and helped break in their top star, El Canek and gave in roads to the UWA for future legends like Blue Panther, Owen Hart and Chris Benoit. René Guajardo’s death from cancer was sad considering the limited fanfare he received for his many accomplishments and contributions to lucha libre. He was a savvy businessman, who climbed the ladder quickly, earned his spot and helped his peers by challenging La Empressa’s monopoly and giving them a place to showcase their talents.