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Ricky Reyes

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This article is about a Cuban professional wrestler. For the Filipino hairdresser, see Ricky Reyes (hairdresser).

Reyes Nunez
Reyes at JAPW in April 2012
Birth nameRichard Diaz[1]
Born (1978-08-21) August 21, 1978 (age 46)[2]
San Bernardino, California,
U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Brian Edwards[3]
Cortez Castro[1]
Ricky Reyes[2]
Veneno
Billed height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Billed weight192 lb (87 kg)[2]
Billed fromHavana, Cuba
The Streets (LU)
Trained byAntonio Inoki[2]
Kevin Quinn[2]
Shinya Makabe[2]
Negro Casas[2]
Debut1997
RetiredMarch 17, 2023[4]

Reyes Nunez (born August 21, 1978),[1] better known by the ring name Ricky Reyes, is a Cuban-American[5] retired professional wrestler.[2] He is known for his appearances in Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, World Wrestling Council, Lucha Underground and various other independent promotions.

Professional wrestling career

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Ring of Honor (2002–2006)

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Main article: The Havana Pitbulls

Reyes is one half of the Havana Pitbulls with Rocky Romero. At Ring of Honor (ROH)'s Reborn: Stage One, the Havana Pitbulls made their ROH debut against then tag champions The Briscoe Brothers in a non title match, which they lost. They later joined Homicide's alliance, The Rottweilers. The group also featured Julius Smokes, who would manage Reyes along with the rest of the members.

Reyes and Romero wrestled for the ROH Tag Team Championship at Testing The Limit against the champions CM Punk and Colt Cabana. They won the match and became the new champions.[6] They eventually lost the title to Maff and Whitmer.[6]

Reyes took part in the Trios Tournament in 2005 with partners Romero and Homicide. They won the tournament defeating Generation Next in the final match. The three winners of this tournament got to choose any match they wanted. While Homicide and Romero went after the World Title, Reyes wanted a tag title shot against Tony Mamaluke and Sal Rinauro. He picked Homicide as his partner, but they did not win.

In late 2005, Reyes began fighting students from the ROH Wrestling School. They were no challenge for him, and he defeated them all quickly. He claimed that no one could escape his Dragon Sleeper. These actions angered then head trainer Austin Aries of Generation Next.

At Hell Freezes Over, Austin Aries of Generation Next challenged Reyes to a match. After Aries pinned Reyes, Reyes would not release a sleeper hold and Roderick Strong, a fellow Generation Next member, came out to break things up. A return match was held at Best in the World. The feud came to an end at the 100th Show when Aries and Strong defeated Reyes and Homicide to retain the tag title.

Combat Zone Wrestling (2006)

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Reyes wrestling against Super Hentai.

On September 9, 2006, Reyes debuted in Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) and joined The Blackout by helping Eddie Kingston win the CZW World Heavyweight Championship. Reyes left CZW on October 21, 2006 to join Pro Wrestling Unplugged, teaming with Joker at the Pitbull/Public Enemy Tag Team Memorial Cup.

World Wrestling Council (2007–2013)

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He won the WWC World Junior Heavyweight Championship winning an X match against Hiram Tua, Tommy Diablo, Carlitos, Johnny Styles and Angel. He lost the title to Angel on April 18, 2009.

Victory Pro Wrestling (2005-Present)

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Reyes has been competing in New York's Victory Pro Wrestling based out of Long Island, New York. Reyes has been the head training in the promotion and has faced some of Pro Wrestling's finest such as A.J. Styles, and Chris Hero, as well as becoming a grand slam Champion.

WWE (2012)

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On the May 25, 2012 episode of WWE SmackDown, Reyes competed in a handicapped match along with Kevin Bendl on the losing end of a two-man team versus Ryback. Reyes competed under the name Brian Edwards.[3]

Lucha Underground (2014–2019)

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In September 2014, it was reported that Diaz had signed with El Rey network's new show Lucha Underground, that began airing on October 29.[7] He worked the tapings under the ring name Cortez Castro.[1] In Season 2 it was revealed that Castro is an Undercover Los Angeles Police Officer named Reyes, he is also part of a special task force along with Joey Ryan, both on a mission to bring down Dario Cueto. However, Ryan betrayed him and revealed his identity. Castro returned to the Temple as the masked wrestler Veneno, but was discovered by Ryan. On Episode 34, season 03, Castro defeated Joey Ryan to win an Aztec Medallion. On episode 5 of season 04, Castro was killed by Matanza (Jeff Cobb) in a Sacrifice to the Gods match.

Championships and accomplishments

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Reyes as IWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Meltzer, Dave (September 15, 2014). "Sept. 15, 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Sean O'Haire dead, Smackdown unmoved, UFC weekend recap, more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 15. ISSN 1083-9593.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Ricky Reyes". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Ricky Reyes: Profile & Match Listing - Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  4. ^ "411Mania".
  5. ^ "Art of Wrestling interview". TSM Radio. Archived from the original on October 3, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c "Ring Of Honor Tag Team Championship". Ring of Honor. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  7. ^ Johnson, Mike (September 6, 2014). "First Lucha Underground taping for the El Rey network tonight, updates on all we know". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  8. ^ "302 Elimination Wars". CageMatch. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  9. ^ "APWA World Super Junior Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on February 24, 2015.
  10. ^ "Carolina Wrestling Showcase - Ricky Reyes Won title from "The Crown Jewel" Chase Owens on September 19,2015 in Mocksville, NC". www.facebook.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023. [user-generated source]
  11. ^ "Independent Wrestling Results - September 2003". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  12. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2005". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  13. ^ "SoCal Uncensored Awards 2001". SoCal Uncensored. Archived from the original on February 13, 2005. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  14. ^ "VPW Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on January 1, 2015.
  15. ^ "VPW New York State Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on January 1, 2015.
  16. ^ "VPW Tag Team Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". Archived from the original on January 1, 2015.
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