HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Metalik (born November 3, 1988) is the ring name of a Mexican ''
luchador ''Lucha libre'' (, meaning "freestyle wrestling" or literally translated as "free fight") is the term for the style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has develope ...
'' '' enmascarado'' (masked
professional wrestler Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...
) currently working for
All Elite Wrestling All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is an American professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. It is owned and operated by Shahid Khan, Shahid and Tony Khan, with the latter serving as President (corporate title), president an ...
(AEW),
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is a Puroresu, Japanese professional-wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, and based in Nakano, Tokyo. It is currently majority owned by card-game company Bushiroad, with TV As ...
(NJPW) and on the
independent circuit In professional wrestling, the independent circuit (often shortened to the indie circuit or the indies) is the collective name of independently owned promotions which are deemed to be smaller and more regionalized than major national promotions. ...
. He also performs on the weekly shows of
Ring of Honor Ring of Honor (ROH) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Jacksonville, Florida. The promotion was founded by Rob Feinstein on February 23, 2002, and was operated by Cary Silkin from 2004 until 2011; the promotion was subs ...
, AEW's sister promotion. He is best known for his time in
WWE World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...
2016–2021 where he performed under the
ring name A ring name is a type of stage name or nickname used by an athlete such as a professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, or boxer whose real name is considered unattractive, dull, difficult to pronounce or spell, amusing for the wrong reasons ...
Gran Metalik, as a member of Lucha House Party, as well as for his time in CMLL where he performed under the ring name Máscara Dorada from 2008 – 2016. His real name has not been officially documented, a tradition in Mexican lucha libre where masked wrestlers' real names often are not a matter of public record. In Mexico and Japan, he is best known for his decade-long stint in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre under the
ring name A ring name is a type of stage name or nickname used by an athlete such as a professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, or boxer whose real name is considered unattractive, dull, difficult to pronounce or spell, amusing for the wrong reasons ...
"Máscara Dorada". He made his debut in 2005, originally using the masked persona Plata II. He later used the ring name Metalik, holding the local Occidente Welterweight Championship, but abandoned the championship when he adopted the Máscara Dorada character. The "Máscara Dorada" character was the first instance of a regular-sized ''luchador'' being given a character based on a ''
Mini-Estrella The term ''Mini-Estrella'' (Spanish language, Spanish for "Mini-Star") is used in lucha libre to describe a division of short professional wrestling, professional wrestlers or ''luchadors'', some of whom have dwarfism. The Mexican ''Mini-Estrell ...
'' as he was introduced after CMLL introduced
Mascarita Dorada Mascarita Dorada (Spanish: ''Little Golden Mask''; born February 19, 1982), is the ring name of a Mexican ''Lucha libre, Luchador wrestling mask, enmascarado'', or masked professional wrestling, professional wrestler, who works in the ''Mini-Est ...
in 2007. At one time, Dorada was a quadruple CMLL champion, holding the
Mexican National Trios Championship The Mexican National Trios Championship (''Campeonato Nacional de Tríos'' in Spanish) is a three-man tag team professional wrestling championship, sanctioned by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." (''Mexico City Boxing and Wrestl ...
, the CMLL World Trios Championship, the CMLL World Super Lightweight Championship, and the
CMLL World Welterweight Championship The CMLL World Welterweight Championship (Spanish: ''Campeonato Mundial de Peso Welter del CMLL'') is a professional wrestling World Heavyweight Championship (professional wrestling)#Nomenclature, world championship in the Mexico, Mexican profess ...
at the same time. He has held the CMLL World Welterweight Championship four times. After a decade of working for CMLL in his native Mexico, Dorada worked full-time for the Japanese promotion
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is a Puroresu, Japanese professional-wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, and based in Nakano, Tokyo. It is currently majority owned by card-game company Bushiroad, with TV As ...
(NJPW) from January 2015 until returning to CMLL a year later in February 2016. In the summer of 2016, he competed in the American promotion WWE's
Cruiserweight Classic The Cruiserweight Classic, formerly the Global Cruiserweight Series, was a professional wrestling tournament and WWE Network event produced by WWE. All participants were billed at a weight of 205 lbs or less to determine the inaugural WWE Crui ...
tournament. After the tournament, he signed with WWE and was assigned to their brand 205 Live, he has since teamed with Kalisto and
Lince Dorado José Rafael Cordero (born May 11, 1987), better known by the ring name Lince Dorado (Spanish for Golden Lynx), is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE as a wrestler and a trainer at the WWE Performance Center. Cordero began h ...
as part of Lucha House Party. They were promoted to the ''Raw'' brand in November 2018, but was moved to the SmackDown brand in October 2019. He would depart WWE in November 2021 after requesting his release and subsequently returned to the independent circuit.


Early life

He was born on November 3, 1988, in
Guadalajara Guadalajara ( ; ) is the capital and the most populous city in the western Mexican List of states of Mexico, state of Jalisco, as well as the most densely populated municipality in Jalisco. According to the 2020 census, the city has a population ...
,
Jalisco Jalisco, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Jalisco, is one of the 31 states which, along with Mexico City, comprise the 32 Political divisions of Mexico, Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in western Mexico and is bordered by s ...
, Mexico. Since he has not been unmasked by losing a ''
Lucha de Apuestas ''Lucha libre'' (, meaning "freestyle wrestling" or literally translated as "free fight") is the term for the style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has develope ...
'' ("Bet match"), his given name is not a matter of public record. The secrecy around masked wrestlers is a large part of ''
lucha libre ''Lucha libre'' (, meaning "freestyle wrestling" or literally translated as "free fight") is the term for the style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has develope ...
'' tradition, with Mexican newspapers not reporting masked wrestlers real names.


Professional wrestling career


Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (2005–2016)


Early career (2005–2008)

He made his professional wrestling debut on July 14, 2005, after training with Gran Cochisse and
El Satánico Daniel López López (born October 26, 1949) is a Mexican '' luchador'' ( professional wrestler) and trainer, best known under the ring name El Satánico ( Spanish for "The Satanic One"). He was originally an ''enmascarado'' ( masked wrestler), b ...
. His initial ring persona was that of Plata II, a copy of the original Plata that wrestled in the early to mid-1990s. His run as Plata II was brief as he was repackaged as ''Metalik'', a variation of the "metal-based" look that he had used as "Plata II". As Metalik he worked mainly for
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre Co., Ltd. (CMLL; , "World Wrestling Council") is a ''lucha libre'' professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City. The promotion was previously known as (EMLL) (''Mexican Wrestling Enterprise''). Founded in 1933, it is the oldest profe ...
's (CMLL; Spanish for "World Wrestling Council")
Guadalajara Guadalajara ( ; ) is the capital and the most populous city in the western Mexican List of states of Mexico, state of Jalisco, as well as the most densely populated municipality in Jalisco. According to the 2020 census, the city has a population ...
branch, getting experience while working on a local level. On April 13, 2008, the CMLL bookers had Metalik defeat El Depredador to become the Occidente Welterweight Champion. About a month later, Metalik won his first-ever Luchas de Apuestas match, winning the hair of Jeque. Metalik was entered in the 2008 '' Torneo Gran Alternativa'', where a newcomer teams up with a veteran, and he teamed up with Dos Caras Jr. to make it to the finals before losing to
Último Guerrero José Gutiérrez Hernández (born March 1, 1972), better known by his ring name Último Guerrero (Spanish for ''Last Warrior''), is a Mexican (or Professional wrestling, professional wrestler), who works for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CML ...
and
Dragón Rojo Jr. Anselmo Rivas Castro (born November 3, 1982), best known by his ring name Dragón Rojo Jr. (Spanish language, Spanish for "Red Dragon Jr."), is a Mexicans, Mexican ''Lucha libre, luchador'' (or Professional wrestling, professional wrestler). He w ...


Máscara Dorada (2008–2016)

In 2007, CMLL signed Mascarita Sagrada 2000 but were not allowed to call him that as a rival promotion owned the trademark to the name. Instead, CMLL chose to repackage the mini luchador as ''Mascarita Dorada''. The gimmick and the wrestler proved so successful, that in the fall of 2008, CMLL announced that they were creating a "large" version of Mascarita Dorada. Traditionally the minis were often patterned after existing Luchadors, but this time the mini was created before the "regular-sized" luchador. On November 7, 2008, Metalik was repackaged and made his debut as Máscara Dorada ("Golden Mask"), helping his team defeat the trio of Averno, Mephisto, and
Ephesto Ephesto (born July 10, 1965) is a Mexican luchador enmascarado ( Spanish for "masked professional wrestler"). Margarito real name has not been officially documented, a tradition in Mexican lucha libre where masked wrestlers' real names often ar ...
. CMLL stripped
Rocky Romero John Raymond Rivera (born October 28, 1982), better known by his ring name Rocky Romero (ロッキー・ロメロ, ''Rokkī Romero''), is a Cuban-American professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and All Elite Wrest ...
of the CMLL World Super Lightweight Championship and announced that a tournament to crown the new champion would take place on April 7, 2009. On the night Máscara Dorada won a '' Tornero Cibernetico'' outlasting nine other wrestlers to become the CMLL Super Lightweight Champion. Since he held a CMLL title, Dorada was entered into CMLL's inaugural "Universal Championship" tournament but was eliminated in the first round by Black Warrior. On December 19, 2009, it was announced by the ''Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F.'' that '' Poder Mexica'' (Black Warrior,
Sangre Azteca Sangre Azteca (Spanish for "Aztec Blood") (born October 5, 1975) is a Mexican '' luchador enmascarado'', or masked professional wrestler is primarily known for his work for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). Sangre Azteca's real name is not ...
, and
Dragón Rojo Jr. Anselmo Rivas Castro (born November 3, 1982), best known by his ring name Dragón Rojo Jr. (Spanish language, Spanish for "Red Dragon Jr."), is a Mexicans, Mexican ''Lucha libre, luchador'' (or Professional wrestling, professional wrestler). He w ...
) had been stripped of the
Mexican National Trios Championship The Mexican National Trios Championship (''Campeonato Nacional de Tríos'' in Spanish) is a three-man tag team professional wrestling championship, sanctioned by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." (''Mexico City Boxing and Wrestl ...
because Black Warrior had left CMLL. At the same time, they announced an eight-team tournament to crown a new trios champion. The top half of the bracket took place on December 22, 2009, and the bottom half of the bracket took place on December 29. In the top bracket, Máscara Dorada teamed with Stuka Jr. and Metro for the first time and defeated '' Los Guerreros Tuareg'' (
Arkangel de la Muerte Arkangel can refer to: * ''Arkangel'' (magazine), an animal liberation magazine * "Arkangel" (''Black Mirror''), an episode of anthology series ''Black Mirror'' * '' Ark Angel'', a book in the ''Alex Rider'' series by Anthony Horowitz * Arkhange ...
,
Loco Max Edgar Gabriel Morales Correa, better known under the ring name Loco Max (born March 10, 1972, in Mexico City, Mexico) is a Mexican '' luchador'', or masked professional wrestler currently on the Mexican professional wrestling independent circuit ...
, and Skándalo) in the first round and '' Los Cancerberos del Infierno'' (
Virus A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living Cell (biology), cells of an organism. Viruses infect all life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea. Viruses are ...
, Euforia, and
Pólvora Pólvora (born July 19, 1979) is the ring name of a Mexico, Mexican ''Lucha libre, Luchador'' ''Wrestling mask, Enmascarado'', or masked professional wrestling, professional wrestler best known for his work in the Mexican professional wrestling pr ...
) in the second round to qualify for the finals. The bottom bracket took place on December 29, 2009, and the team of the new ''Poder Mexica'' (Sangre Azteca, Dragón Rojo Jr., and
Misterioso Jr. José Luís Hurtado Soto also known as Misterioso Jr. (Birthdate unknown) is a Mexican '' luchador enmascarado'', or masked professional wrestler, who is also referred to as Misterioso II. Misterioso Jr. is the nephew of Misterioso who wore a s ...
) qualified for the final. Máscara Dorada, Stuka Jr., and Metro defeated ''Poder Mexica'' in the finals of the tournament to become the new Mexican National Trios Champions, making Dorada a double champion. Later that month Máscara Dorada teamed up with
Atlantis Atlantis () is a fictional island mentioned in Plato's works '' Timaeus'' and ''Critias'' as part of an allegory on the hubris of nations. In the story, Atlantis is described as a naval empire that ruled all Western parts of the known world ...
to participate in CMLL's '' Torneo Nacional de Parejas Increibles'' ("National Amazing Pairs tournament"), a tournament where CMLL teams up a ''Tecnico'' (Dorada) and a ''Rudo'' (Atlantis) for a tournament. The two defeated Dragón Rojo and
La Sombra Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza (born November 3, 1989) is a Mexican professional wrestler. , he is signed to WWE, where he performs on the WWE SmackDown (brand), SmackDown WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Andrade (formerly Andrad ...
in the opening round, Mr. Niebla and Máximo in the second round, and
Místico Luis Ignacio Urive Alvirde (born December 22, 1982), better known by his ring name Místico (Spanish for "Mystic"), is a Mexican '' luchador enmascarado'' (or masked professional wrestler), who works for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL ...
and Averno in the semi-final to earn a spot in the final of the tournament. During the tournament Atlantis wore his old ''Tecnico'' white mask, acting and wrestling a tecnico style. Dorada and Atlantis defeated
Negro Casas José Casas Ruiz (born January 10, 1960) is a Mexican professional wrestler (called a ''Lucha libre, Luchador'' in Spanish language, Spanish) and professional wrestling trainer working for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) under the ring name Ne ...
and La Máscara in the finals two weeks later to win the tournament. On May 14, 2010, Máscara Dorada teamed up with La Sombra and La Máscara to defeat the then CMLL World Trios Champions '' La Ola Amarilla'' (
Hiroshi Tanahashi is a Japanese professional wrestler, sports executive and Podcast, podcaster. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he serves as the president and representative director of the promotion, and is also an active wrestler. Widel ...
, Okumura, and Taichi) in a non-title match to earn a shot at the titles the following week. One week later the trio defeated ''Ola Amarilla'' again, ending the Japanese trios title reign after just two weeks. By virtue of holding three CMLL championships, Máscara Dorada participated in the 2010 Universal Championship tournament. Stuka Jr. was part of "Block A" that competed on the July 30, 2010, Super Viernes show. He was the first wrestler eliminated in the seeding battle royal and then defeated his Mexican National Trios Championship partner Stuka Jr. in the first round of the actual tournament. Máscara Dorada was eliminated in the second round, losing to Último Guerrero. On September 7, 2010, Dorada defeated Negro Casas to win the
CMLL World Welterweight Championship The CMLL World Welterweight Championship (Spanish: ''Campeonato Mundial de Peso Welter del CMLL'') is a professional wrestling World Heavyweight Championship (professional wrestling)#Nomenclature, world championship in the Mexico, Mexican profess ...
, making him a quadruple CMLL champion, the first-ever in the history of the promotion. On November 18, 2010, Dorada announced that he was relinquishing his hold of the Mexican National Trios Championship, which Metro and Stuka Jr. would continue to hold with a new partner. Máscara Dorada's reign as CMLL World Welterweight Champion ended during the 2011 '' Fantastica Mania'', a CMLL and
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is a Puroresu, Japanese professional-wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, and based in Nakano, Tokyo. It is currently majority owned by card-game company Bushiroad, with TV As ...
co-promoted event, as he lost to
Ryusuke Taguchi is a Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, trained by and performing for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He is a former List of IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions, two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, List of IWGP Junior He ...
. A month later Máscara Dorada and Atlantis defeated
Blue Panther Genaro Vázquez Nevarez (born September 18, 1960) is a Mexican professional wrestler and trainer, best known under his ring name Blue Panther. He made his in-ring debut in 1978. Since then, he has worked for most major Mexican professional wrest ...
and Dragón Rojo Jr. in the finals to win the '' Torneo Nacional de Parejas Increibles'' for the second year in a row. On April 7 Dorada vacated the CMLL World Super Lightweight Championship to move up to the middleweight division. After Dorada returned from Japan with the CMLL World Welterweight Championship, ''La Generación Dorada'' lost the CMLL World Trios Championship to ''Los Hijos del Averno'' (Averno, Ephesto and Mephisto), On November 11, 2012, Dorada lost the CMLL World Welterweight Championship to Pólvora during CMLL's Sunday night event in
Arena Mexico An arena is a large enclosed venue, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances or sporting events. It comprises a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators, and may ...
. Dorada defeated Negro Casas to win the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship for the first time during the summer of 2013. On June 16, Dorada and his new ''Los Estetas del Aire'' ("Air Aesthetes") stable, formed with
Místico Luis Ignacio Urive Alvirde (born December 22, 1982), better known by his ring name Místico (Spanish for "Mystic"), is a Mexican '' luchador enmascarado'' (or masked professional wrestler), who works for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL ...
and Valiente, won the CMLL World Trios Championship. Dorada's reign as the NWA World Historic Welterweight Champion ended in the fall of 2013 as he lost the championship to Volador Jr. On March 28, 2014, ''Los Estetas del Aire'' also lost the CMLL World Trios Championship. In January 2015, Dorada defeated Negro Casas in the finals of a tournament to win the CMLL World Welterweight Championship for the third time. Later in the month, through CMLL's relationship with NJPW, Dorada signed a one-year contract with NJPW, leaving his Mexican home promotion. He returned to CMLL and had his first match in Mexico in over a year in February 2016. Three months after his return to CMLL Dorada's fourth reign as the CMLL World Welterweight Champion ended when Mephisto defeated him for the championship. On November 11, 2016, Dorada wrestled his last match for CMLL, teaming with Atlantis and
Diamante Azul DMT Azul (born December 20, 1982) is the best known ring name of a Mexican '' Luchador Enmascarado'', or masked professional wrestler. He is signed to Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. Azul is best known for his time in Mexican professional wrestling ...
to defeat Bárbaro Cavernario,
El Felino Jorge Luis Casas Ruiz (born March 22, 1964), better known by his ring name El Felino ("The Feline"), is a Mexican '' luchador'' (or professional wrestler) working for Mexican wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). Casas start ...
and Negro Casas.


New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2010–2016)


Various appearances (2010–2014)

In May 2010 Máscara Dorada and Valiente traveled to Japan to participate in New Japan Pro-Wrestling's first-ever Super J Tag Team tournament, marking Máscara Dorada's Japanese debut. In the first round of the tournament, they lost to Ryusuke Taguchi and
Prince Devitt A prince is a Monarch, male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary title, hereditary, in some ...
in just under eight minutes. In November 2010 Máscara Dorada and La Sombra took part in New Japan's five-day-long Super J Tag League. After winning two out of their four matches in the group stage, Sombra and Dorada finished third in their block, missing the finals of the tournament. Dorada and Sombra returned to New Japan on January 4, 2011, at Wrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome, where they defeated
Jushin Thunder Liger , better known as and later , is a Japanese retired Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as a trainer. He is the longest-tenured member of the NJPW roster, having work ...
and
Héctor Garza Héctor Solano Segura (June 12, 1969 – May 26, 2013) was a Mexican professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Héctor Garza. During his career he worked for various major Mexican professional wrestling promotions such as Consejo Mu ...
in a tag team match. Dorada returned to New Japan in April of that year teaming with Tama Tonga to defeat Liger and King Fale in a tag team match. Dorada worked a majority of the tour as a ''rudo'', teaming with members of the
Chaos Chaos or CHAOS may refer to: Science, technology, and astronomy * '' Chaos: Making a New Science'', a 1987 book by James Gleick * Chaos (company), a Bulgarian rendering and simulation software company * ''Chaos'' (genus), a genus of amoebae * ...
stable. At Wrestling Dontaku 2011, Dorada unsuccessfully challenged Liger for the CMLL World Middleweight Championship. Dorada's extended tour of New Japan also included participation in the 2011 Best of the Super Juniors tournament in late May-early June. Dorada managed to win four out of his eight matches in the round-robin stage of the tournament, which included wins over Liger and CMLL World Welterweight Champion Ryusuke Taguchi and finished sixth out of the nine wrestlers in his block. On June 18 at New Japan's
Dominion 6.18 Dominion 6.18 was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event promoted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The event took place on June 18, 2011, in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. The event featured ten mat ...
show, Dorada defeated Taguchi to regain the CMLL World Welterweight Championship. Three days later Dorada entered the J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament, teaming with
IWGP Heavyweight Champion The was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship owned by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the . The title was introduced on June 12, 1987, in the final of an IW ...
Hiroshi Tanahashi and KUSHIDA, with the team defeating
Brian Kendrick Brian David Kendrick (born May 29, 1979) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in WWE. He is also known for his time in Ring of Honor (ROH), Impact Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action Wrestlin ...
,
Gedo Gedo (, , , or ''Ghedu'') is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in Jubaland, southern Somalia. Its regional capital is Garbahaarreey. The region was formed during 1974 and is bordered by the Ogaden in Ethiopia, the North Eastern Province ...
, and
Jado (born September 28, 1968) is a Japanese professional wrestler, manager and booker better known by the ring name . He is best known for his work in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as part of a tag team with his partner Gedo. Jado and Gedo's care ...
in their first-round match. The following day the trio was eliminated from the tournament in the second round by
Giant Bernard Matthew Jason Bloom (born November 14, 1972) is an American retired professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he is the head trainer at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Bloom is best known for his in-ring appearances wi ...
, Jushin Thunder Liger, and
Karl Anderson Chad Allegra (born January 20, 1980) known by the ring name Karl Anderson , is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is primarily performing for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He is also known for his time in WWE. Ander ...
. Dorada's tour of New Japan ended the following day, when he, Tanahashi,
Hiroyoshi Tenzan is a Japanese professional wrestler who is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and is better known by his ring name . With Satoshi Kojima, in 2008, they won the World's Strongest Tag Determination League in All Japan Pro Wrestling and the G1 Tag L ...
,
Tiger Mask is a Japanese manga series written by Ikki Kajiwara and illustrated by Naoki Tsuji. The series was first published in Kodansha's ''Bokura Magazine'' from 1968 to 1970 and was later published in ''Weekly Shōnen Magazine'' from 1970 to ...
, and
Wataru Inoue is a Japanese retired professional wrestler working for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Professional wrestling career Inoue made his debut on New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1999. He aligned himself with New Japan Junior Seikigun, a face stable creat ...
were defeated in a ten-man tag team match by Chaos (
Dick Togo , better known by his ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestling, professional wrestler. Togo is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of House of Torture and a former member of Bullet Club. Togo has spent the major ...
, Gedo, Jado,
Masato Tanaka is a Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) in Japan where he was a FMW Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship#Title History, one-time FMW Brass Knuckle ...
, and
Yujiro Takahashi , is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is a member of House of Torture and a former member of Bullet Club. He is one-third of the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions with Ren Narit ...
). On January 4, 2012, Dorada returned to New Japan at
Wrestle Kingdom VI in Tokyo Dome was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) Professional wrestling promotion, promotion, which took place at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on January 4, 2012. It was the 21st January 4 Tok ...
, where he teamed with Jushin Thunder Liger, KUSHIDA and Tiger Mask to defeat Atlantis, Taichi,
Taka Michinoku (born October 26, 1973), better known by his ring name (stylized as TAKA Michinoku), is a Japanese professional wrestling, professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. He primarily appears for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he is a me ...
and Valiente in an eight-man tag team match. Dorada returned to Japan to take part in the ''Fantastica Mania 2012'' events, teaming with Rush (wrestler), Rush losing to the team of Hirooki Goto and KUSHIDA on the first night. The second night, Dorada successfully defended the CMLL World Welterweight Championship against KUSHIDA. In January 2013, Dorada returned to Japan to take part in the three-day ''Fantastica Mania 2013'' event. During the first night on January 18, he teamed with La Máscara and Máximo in a six-man tag team match, where they were defeated by Taichi, Taka Michinoku, and Volador Jr. The following night, Dorada and Diamante (male wrestler), Diamante were defeated in a tag team match by Mephisto and Okumura. During the third and final night, Dorada took part in a twelve-man ''torneo cibernetico'', from which he was the eighth man eliminated by Nobuo Yoshihashi, Yoshi-Hashi and which was eventually won by Tomohiro Ishii. Dorada returned to New Japan on September 23, 2013, working the entire tour opposite the Bullet Club stable, which also included his fellow CMLL worker Rey Bucanero. Dorada's tour concluded on September 29 at the Destruction (2013), Destruction pay-per-view, where he pinned Bucanero in an eight-man tag team match, where he teamed with Mitsuhide Hirasawa, Captain New Japan, Togi Makabe, and Tomoaki Honma against Bucanero, Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson, and Tama Tonga. Dorada returned to Japan in January 2014, when he took part in the five-day ''Fantastica Mania 2014'' tour. The tour concluded on January 19 with a main event, where Dorada unsuccessfully challenged Volador Jr. for the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship. From April to July 2014, Dorada worked an extended tour with New Japan, which included a two-day tour of Taiwan, the Wrestling Dontaku 2014 tour, the Best of the Super Juniors#2014, 2014 Best of the Super Juniors, where he finished with a record of three wins and four losses and thus missed the semifinals of the tournament, and the Kizuna Road 2014 tour. On October 25, 2014, Dorada returned to NJPW, teaming up with Tetsuya Bushi, Bushi for the Super Junior Tag Tournament#2014, 2014 Super Junior Tag Tournament. The team lost to reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly) in the first round. Dorada remained with NJPW until November 8.


Full-time contract (2015–2016)

In January 2015, Dorada returned to Japan to take part in the ''Fantastica Mania 2015'' tour, during which he and Atlantis won the Fantastica Mania 2015 Tag Tournament. Dorada's participation in the tour was built around a rivalry with La Sombra, which culminated in a singles match between the two on January 19, where La Sombra was victorious. During the final event, Dorada announced he had signed a one-year contract with NJPW. After doing interviews suggesting the unification of his CMLL World Welterweight Championship and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, Dorada entered the IWGP title picture by challenging reigning champion Kenny Omega on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka (2015), The New Beginning in Osaka. He received his title shot at Invasion Attack 2015 but was defeated by Omega. The following month, Dorada entered the Best of the Super Juniors#2015, 2015 Best of the Super Juniors. He finished third in his block with a record of five wins and two losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. On December 19, Dorada lost the CMLL World Welterweight Championship to Bushi following outside interference from Bushi's ''Los Ingobernables de Japón'' stablemate Takaaki Watanabe, Evil. He regained the title from Bushi on January 22, 2016, at ''Fantastica Mania 2016''. Dorada's final match under his NJPW contract took place two days later.


WWE (2016–2021)


Cruiserweight division (2016–2018)

On June 13, 2016,
WWE World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...
announced Dorada, under the ring name Gran Metalik, as a participant in the upcoming
Cruiserweight Classic The Cruiserweight Classic, formerly the Global Cruiserweight Series, was a professional wrestling tournament and WWE Network event produced by WWE. All participants were billed at a weight of 205 lbs or less to determine the inaugural WWE Crui ...
tournament. In a subsequent interview, he revealed that he was only working the Cruiserweight Classic matches with WWE and was still full-time with CMLL beyond that and he credited Finn Bálor, who worked as Prince Devitt in NJPW, as being the reason he was invited to the tournament. The tournament began on June 23 with Metalik defeating Alejandro Saez in the first round match. He later defeated Yoshihiro Tajiri, Tajiri in the second-round match. The following day, it was reported that he had signed a full-time contract with WWE. On August 26, Metalik defeated Akira Tozawa to advance at the semifinals. On the last day of the tournament, Metalik defeated Zack Sabre Jr. to advance to the finals, before losing to T. J. Perkins, T.J. Perkins in the finals. Following the tournament, Metalik began working in the cruiserweight division, appearing on the WWE Raw, Raw shows. On the September 19 episode of ''Raw'', Metalik worked his first match on the main roster, competing in a Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches, fatal four-way match, also involving Cedric Alexander, Rich Swann, and Brian Kendrick, The Brian Kendrick to determine the number one contender for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, WWE Cruiserweight Championship at Clash of Champions (2016), Clash of Champions, which Kendrick won. On the February 14, 2017 episode of ''WWE 205 Live, 205 Live'', Metalik made his debut the on the 205 Live (WWE brand), brand, defeating Drew Gulak. On the September 5 episode of ''205 Live'', Metalik competed in a number one contender's Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches, five-way elimination match for the Cruiserweight Championship, but was the second person eliminated from the match. On the October 31 episode of ''205 Live'', Metalik was part of a Halloween Fright Night Fatal Four Way match that was won by Mustafa Ali (wrestler), Mustafa Ali.


Lucha House Party (2018–2021)

In early 2018, WWE decided to have the three masked luchadors of the 205 Live roster, Metalik, Kalisto, and
Lince Dorado José Rafael Cordero (born May 11, 1987), better known by the ring name Lince Dorado (Spanish for Golden Lynx), is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE as a wrestler and a trainer at the WWE Performance Center. Cordero began h ...
, band together and become a regular team, later dubbed the Lucha House Party. As part of their gimmick, the luchadors started to carry brightly colored Ratchet (instrument), noisemakers and vuvuzela horns with them, using them to celebrate after a victory. They also carried a brightly colored Piñata donkey with them to the ring, which they referred to as "Penelope". Their first match as a full trio took place on January 23, 2018, episode of ''205 Live'', as they defeated Ariya Daivari, T. J. Perkins, TJP, and Tony Nese. At the Royal Rumble (2018), Royal Rumble, Lucha House Party defeated TJP, Drew Gulak, and Gentleman Jack Gallagher. In early 2018, WWE held a tournament for the vacant WWE Cruiserweight Championship, where Metalik was eliminated in the opening round by eventual tournament winner Cedric Alexander. On the November 12 episode of ''Raw'', Lucha House Party competed against a number of non-Cruiserweight teams for the first time since WWE put them together, as they competed in a battle royal against Raw tag teams such as Bobby Roode and Chad Gable, The B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel), Heath Slater and Rhyno, The Ascension (professional wrestling), The Ascension (Konnor (wrestler), Konnor and Viktor (wrestler), Viktor), and The Revival (professional wrestling), The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson (wrestler), Scott Dawson). At the Survivor Series (2018), Survivor Series, Lucha House Party was part of Team Raw in a five on five team elimination match, that was won by Team SmackDown. In subsequent weeks, Lucha House Party was part of a storyline with The Revival, where the latter claimed to be "tag team purists" and as such objected to Lucha House Party being allowed to compete as a tag team when there was three of them. In the following weeks, Lucha House Party defeated The Revival in various three-on-two, or three-on-one matches billed as "Lucha House Rules" matches as part of the storyline. On the February 4, 2019 episode of ''Raw'', The Revival finally defeated Lucha House Party as part of a fatal four-way match to earn a match for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship at a later date. In June, Lucha House Party began a feud with Lars Sullivan, with the trio losing to Sullivan via disqualification in a three-on-one handicap match at Super ShowDown (2019), Super ShowDown. The following night on ''Raw'', Lucha House Party was again defeated by Sullivan, this time in a three-on-one handicap elimination match. Later that month, Lucha House Party returned to 205 Live, losing to The Singh Brothers (Sunil and Samir) when the brothers cheated to win the match. The illegal actions led to a "Tornado tag team match" the following week between the two teams. Gran Metalik and Lince Dorada defeated the brothers to even the score. Metalik and Dorado were one of eight teams that competed in a Gauntlet match to determine who would get a match for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship. Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode won the match, with the Lucha House Party being the third team eliminated from the match. The Lucha House Party's next major show appearance was on October 31, 2019. as they participated in the World Cup Tag Team Turmoil match at the 2019 Crown Jewel (2019), Crown Jewel show in Saudi Arabia. The duo was the first team eliminated from the match, just under six minutes after the opening bell. On October 11, Lucha House Party was drafted to SmackDown (WWE brand), SmackDown WWE brand extension, brand as part of the 2019 WWE Draft. Their first appearance under the Smackdown brand was on November 24, as they participated in a pre-Survivor Series (2019), Survivor Series tag team Battle royal (professional wrestling), battle royal, where they were the second team eliminated. In March 2020, Lucha House Party became involved in the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship picture, as they were one of six teams in a tag team Elimination Chamber match at the 2020 Elimination Chamber (2020), Elimination Chamber PPV. While the team did not win, they were able to perform several high risk, high flying moves to make them stand out. The following month Gran Metalik and Lince Dorada defeated former tag team champions The Miz and John Morrison on Smackdown as part of a storyline that led to a Fatal 4-way match, Fatal 4-Way championship match at the 2020 Money in the Bank (2020), Money in the Bank show, with Lucha House Party, The Forgotten Sons and the Miz and Morrison challenging reigning champions The New Day (professional wrestling), The New Day (Big E (wrestler), Big E and Kofi Kingston). On the July 24 episode of ''SmackDown'', Metalik won a fatal four-way match to become the number one contender to the WWE Intercontinental Championship, Intercontinental Championship, but failed to capture the championship after was defeated by A.J. Styles, AJ Styles the following week. As part of the 2020 WWE Draft, 2020 Draft in October, both Metalik and Dorado were drafted to the Raw (WWE brand), Raw brand, splitting them from Kalisto, who remained on the SmackDown brand. On the 30 December episode of ''NXT'', Metalik and Dorado appeared and defeated Legado del Fantasma. He issued a challenge to NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar following the match. Their match was scheduled for NXT: New Year's Evil (2021), NXT: New Year's Evil with the Cruiserweight title on the line. At the event, Escobar beat Metalik. On January 13, it was announced that Dorado and Metalik would be competing in the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. They defeated Imperium (professional wrestling), Imperium in the first round, but were eliminated in the second round by Legado del Fantasma. On September 22, it was reported that Metalik requested for his release from the company due to "lack of opportunities". On November 4, Metalik was officially released from WWE.


All Elite Wrestling (2022–present)

On 19 September 2022, Metalik (under the name Mascara Dorada) appeared on All Elite Wrestling, AEW ''AEW Dark: Elevation, Dark Elevation'' where he defeated Serpentico in a singles match.


Ring of Honor (2022)

On December 10, 2022, Dorada was defeated by Jeff Cobb during the Final Battle (2022), Final Battle pre-show. On 31 March, 2023, at ROH Supercard of Honor, ROH Supercard Of Honor, Metalik alongside AR Fox and Blake Christian, Blake Christain challenge for Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage and Toa Liona) trios title but was unsuccesfull. Later on April 7 episode of ROH HonorClub, Metalik challenge Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH World Championship but was unsuccessful.


Professional wrestling style

Whether working as Metalik, Máscara Dorada, or Gran Metalik, he generally portrays a Face (professional wrestling), face, the professional wrestling term for the protagonists of the storylines. He is known for performing a high-risk, high-flying version of ''
lucha libre ''Lucha libre'' (, meaning "freestyle wrestling" or literally translated as "free fight") is the term for the style of professional wrestling originating in Mexico. Since its introduction to Mexico in the early 20th century, it has develope ...
'', exemplified by his frequent use of dives out of the wrestling ring. One such dive is the ''Brillo Metalik'', which is a Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Somersault, somersault Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Suicide, suicide Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving senton, senton, where he leaps through the top rope and flips onto an opponent on the floor. During his time in Mexico, he used a variation of the dive known as the ''Brillo Dorada'', where he would springboard off the second rope and jump over the top onto an opponent on the floor. Despite his accustomed style, his finishing move is a Professional wrestling throws#Samoan driver, Samoan driver, where he lifts an opponent up on his shoulders before slamming them down to the ground, referred to as the ''Metalik Driver'' in WWE, and the ''Dorada Screwdriver'' previously.


Other media

As Gran Metalik, he made his video game debut as a playable character in ''WWE 2K18'' and has since appeared in ''WWE SuperCard'', ''WWE 2K19'', ''WWE 2K20,'' WWE Universe, ''WWE 2K Battlegrounds'', and ''WWE 2K22''.


Personal life

During a 2016 interview with ''Lucha World'', he revealed that he was the father of two young girls. His immediate family still resides in Guadalajara, Jalisco. He has relatives living in Los Angeles, California, while Dorada himself lived in Mexico City. He welcomed his third daughter on November 5, 2018.


Championships and accomplishments

*
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre Co., Ltd. (CMLL; , "World Wrestling Council") is a ''lucha libre'' professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City. The promotion was previously known as (EMLL) (''Mexican Wrestling Enterprise''). Founded in 1933, it is the oldest profe ...
** CMLL World Super Lightweight Championship (CMLL World Super Lightweight Championship, 1 time) ** CMLL World Trios Championship (List of CMLL World Trios Champions, 2 times) – with
La Sombra Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza (born November 3, 1989) is a Mexican professional wrestler. , he is signed to WWE, where he performs on the WWE SmackDown (brand), SmackDown WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Andrade (formerly Andrad ...
and La Máscara (wrestler), La Máscara (1) and
Místico Luis Ignacio Urive Alvirde (born December 22, 1982), better known by his ring name Místico (Spanish for "Mystic"), is a Mexican '' luchador enmascarado'' (or masked professional wrestler), who works for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL ...
and Valiente (1) **
CMLL World Welterweight Championship The CMLL World Welterweight Championship (Spanish: ''Campeonato Mundial de Peso Welter del CMLL'') is a professional wrestling World Heavyweight Championship (professional wrestling)#Nomenclature, world championship in the Mexico, Mexican profess ...
(List of CMLL World Welterweight Champions, 4 times) **
Mexican National Trios Championship The Mexican National Trios Championship (''Campeonato Nacional de Tríos'' in Spanish) is a three-man tag team professional wrestling championship, sanctioned by the "Comisión de Box y Lucha Libre Mexico D.F." (''Mexico City Boxing and Wrestl ...
(List of Mexican National Trios Champions, 1 time) – with Diamante Azul, Metro and Stuka Jr. ** NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship (NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship#Title history, 1 time) ** Occidente Welterweight Championship (1 time) **CMLL World Trios Championship Tournament ** CMLL Torneo Nacional de Parejas Increibles (CMLL Torneo Nacional de Parejas Increibles (2010), 2010, CMLL Torneo Nacional de Parejas Increibles (2011), 2011) – with
Atlantis Atlantis () is a fictional island mentioned in Plato's works '' Timaeus'' and ''Critias'' as part of an allegory on the hubris of nations. In the story, Atlantis is described as a naval empire that ruled all Western parts of the known world ...
**CMLL World Welterweight Championship Tournament ** Torneo Corona – with
La Sombra Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza (born November 3, 1989) is a Mexican professional wrestler. , he is signed to WWE, where he performs on the WWE SmackDown (brand), SmackDown WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Andrade (formerly Andrad ...
** CMLL Trio of the Year (2010) – with La Sombra and La Máscara * Mucha Lucha Atlanta ** MLA Global Championship (1 time, current) *
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) is a Puroresu, Japanese professional-wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, and based in Nakano, Tokyo. It is currently majority owned by card-game company Bushiroad, with TV As ...
** Fantastica Mania Tag Tournament (2015) – with Atlantis *''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' **Ranked No. 130 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2018 *
WWE World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...
**WWE 24/7 Championship (List of WWE 24/7 Champions, 1 time)


''Luchas de Apuestas'' record


References


External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Metalik, Gran 1988 births Living people Mexican male professional wrestlers Masked wrestlers Unidentified wrestlers Expatriate professional wrestlers in Japan Professional wrestlers from Guadalajara, Jalisco WWE 24/7 Champions 21st-century male professional wrestlers 21st-century Mexican professional wrestlers Mexican National Trios Champions CMLL World Lightweight Champions CMLL World Trios Champions CMLL World Welterweight Champions NWA World Historic Welterweight Champions