Ring name(s) Apolo Dantes Billed height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | Billed weight 105 kg (231 lb) Name Apolo Dantes | |
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Birth name Jose Luis Amezcua Munoz Trained by Alfonso DantesDiablo VelazcoAlberto Munoz | ||
José Luis Amezcua Muñoz (born September 28, 1968) is a Mexican Luchador, or professional wrestler, best known by his ring name Apolo Dantés. He was a longtime mainstay of Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) throughout the 1990s and now owns and operates "Dantés Wrestling Factory" in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He is the son of Alfonso Dantés, a legendary luchador during the 1960s and 1970s. Dantés has toured Japan and often teamed with El Hijo del Santo and Dr. Wagner, Jr. in six-man tag team matches against The Headhunters and various partners during the mid-1990s. And was a member of the group Los Capos along with Cien Caras, Máscara Año 2000, and Universo 2000.
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Professional wrestling career
Amezuca trained for his professional wrestling career under his father Alfonso Dantés, Alberto Muñoz and renowned Lucha libre trainier Diablo Velazco. He made his debut on December 4, 1988, under the name "Apolo Dantés", adopting the same last name as his father used. Through his fathers connections Dantés began working regularly for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in the very early part the 1990s. On July 25, 1992, Dantés became the NWA World Light Heavyweight Champion when he defeated El Satánico. Dantés held the prestigious title for 243 days until Jaque Mate defeated him for it. On September 11, 1994, Dantés won the CMLL World Middleweight Championship by defeating Javier Llanes, but lost the belt 77 days later to Satánico. He defeated Silver King to win the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship on June 23, 1995. During his reign as Heavyweight Champion Dantés successfully defended it against both Corazon de Leon and Vampiro. Dantés lost the title to Rayo de Jalisco, Jr. on April 14, 1996. In mid-1996 Cien Caras, Máscara Año 2000 and Universo 2000 returned to CMLL after working elsewhere for four years. The trio began teaming with Apolo Dantés to form a group called Los Capos ("The Bosses"), a Rudo (bad guy) group that was heavily featured in CMLL's heavyweight division. Dantés competed in the 1997 CMLL International Gran Prix but was defeated in the semi-final by eventual tournament winner Steel. A year later he made it all the way to the finals of the 1998 version of the Gran Prix but lost to Rayo de Jalisco, Jr.
In late 1998 and into 1999 Apolo Dantés worked for the United States-based World Wrestling Federation appearing exclusively on the Spanish language show WWF Super Astros where he wrestled against other Mexican Luchadors. In 2003 Apolo Dantés last in-ring highlight saw him earn a match for the CMLL World Heavyweight Champion Mr. Niebla but was defeated in three falls. By the middle-2000s Apolo Dantés was more active as a wrestling trainer and match-maker at CMLL's Arena Coliseo in his native Guadalajara, Jalisco. For the next couple of years he booked matches for the weekly shows, as well as training various trainees for CMLL. In mid-2009 Dantés was fired from his position at Arena Coliseo by CMLL after holding the job for four years. Following his dismissal from Arena Coliseo Dantés formed his own wrestling school and promotion called "Dantés' Wrestling Factory", based in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Personal life
Amezcua is the son of professional wrestler Alfonso "Tanque" Dantés who had a hand in training both José and his brother Cesar Dantés. His grandfather used to wrestle as Al Amenzuca and Alfonso Dantés' brothers wrestle as Septiembre Negro and Indio Jerónimo. Amezuca is also related on his mother's side to retired wrestler Alberto Muñoz.
Championships and accomplishments
