 Apache in March 2013 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Fabiola Balbuena Torres (1980-12-26)26 December 1980 (age 44)[2] Mexico City, Mexico |
Spouse | Billy Boy (ex-husband) |
| Children | Marvin Apache |
| Parent | Gran Apache (father) |
| Relatives |
|
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Faby Apache Fabi Apache "Dark Faby" “Lady Venom” |
| Billed height | 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) |
| Billed weight | 63 kg (139 lb) |
| Trained by | Gran Apache[1] Aja Kong Mariko Yoshida |
| Debut | 14 December 1998[1] |
Fabiola Balbuena Torres (born 26 December 1980) is a MexicanLuchadora, or femaleprofessional wrestler, Currently signed withWWE appearing in their sister companyLucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) where she performs asFaby Apache (sometimes written as "Fabi Apache").
Between 2005 and 2009, she was involved in a long running storyline that revolved around her relationship withBilly Boy, her real-life husband, as well as her fatherGran Apache, sisterMari Apache and even saw Billy Boy and Faby Apache's son Marvin play a part in it. She won the 2008Reina de Reinas tournament and has held theAAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship four times.
After finishing high school, Balbuena asked her fatherGran Apache for wrestling training, which he accepted.[1] Balbuena made her debut in 1998 under the name "Lady Venom", a masked character.[1] Early in her career she travelled to Japan to wrestle,[1] as well as receive further training byAja Kong andMariko Yoshida. In Japan she wrestled for theArsion promotion, where she won theSky High of Arsion Championship.
After she returned to Mexico in 1999, she became a regular worker for AAA, achieving a measure of in-ring success by winningLucha de Apuesta, hair vs. hair matches against La Hechicera as well as male wrestler May Flowers.[2]
In 2005 Faby Apache became involved in the storyline that, more than any other, would define her professional wrestling career.Billy Boy began showing up ringside during Faby's matches with flowers and signs profession his love. The two had dated for years in real life and had recently married when the storyline began, writing their real-life relationship into a storyline.[3] The friction began when Faby Apache's father, Gran Apache, objected to the relationship and attacked Billy Boy as he was not "worthy" of his daughter. The storyline played out over several years and even had the birth of Billy Boy and Faby's son Marvin written into the storyline. At one point Gran Apache defeated Billy Boy, forcing him to not have anything to do with either Faby Apache or his son Marvin. Following the loss, the storyline was that Billy Boy was so depressed that he causedLos Barrio Boys to lose several matches, this in turn led toAlan and Decnnis turning on Billy Boy, siding with Gran Apache in the storyline.[3] Soon after the storyline saw Billy Boy committed to a mental institution. On May 28, 2008, Faby Apache defeatedAyako Hamada andMari Apache to win the 2008Reina de Reinas tournament. Following Faby's win theReina de Reinas trophy was turned into a regular wrestling championship represented by a title belt, instead of the annual tournament it had been between 1999 and 2008. During 2008 she started a feud with her older sister Mari Apache, due to tension from the Billy Boy storyline. On June 13, 2008, atTriplemanía XVI Faby Apache defeated her sister in aLucha de Apuesta, hair vs. hair match. Following the match Gran Apache came to the ring and pleaded with Faby, persuading her to not shave Mari's hair off but instead shave his hair.[4] The sacrifice by Gran Apache brought the family back together again.
Billy Boy would later return to AAA as Alfa, wearing a mask and keeping his true identity secret. As Alfa he gained Gran Apache's respect, leading Apache to stating that Alfa would make a good husband for Faby Apache. Following the statement Billy Boy unmasked to the surprise of everyone, reuniting with Faby Apache and Marvin, though the ruse did not please Gran Apache.[3] During AAA's 2008Guerra de Titanes show Billy Boy came to Faby Apache's aid after she lost a match, this in turn led to Faby Apache slapping Billy Boy, causing Billy Boy to attack her, turningRudo (bad guy) for the first time in his career.[5] During an in-ring celebration of Gran Apache's 50 years in professional wrestling Billy Boy attacked his father-in-law with a steel chair, injuring Apache's knee so he had to be taken from the ring on a stretcher.[6] This turn of events was written into the storyline due to Gran Apache actually suffering a knee injury and this was used as a way to explain why he was not able to wrestle. In the spring of 2010Aero Star was written into the storyline as a new love interest for Faby Apache, Initially Billy Boy acted like he did not care as he himself had found a new love inSexi Star.[7] During a television taping on March 21, 2010 Aero Star came to the ring and asked Gran Apache's permission to ask Faby Apache out, which led to Billy Boy storming to the ring and attacking Aero Star.[8] The storyline evolved and saw all four involved in an inter-genderLucha de ApuetaSteel Cage Match where the last person in the ring would either have their hair shaved off or be forced to unmask. The match came down to Faby Apache and Billy Boy in the cage with Faby Apache pinning Billy.[9] Following theApuesta loss the storyline has focused more on Faby Apache and Sexi Star than Billy Boy.[10] Following theApuesta loss the storyline began to focus more on the rivalry between Faby Apache and Sexy Star and less on Billy Boy.[11] The two faced off in a"Bull Terrier" match for Faby Apache'sAAA Reina de Reinas Championship during AAA'sHeroes Inmortales III event, in which Sexy Star defeated Faby Apache due to the interference ofLa Legión Extranjera membersJennifer Blade andRain.[12] In the time following the title victory Sexy Star became a member of La Legión, making her the only Mexican female in the group. The storyline between Sexy Star and Faby Apache continued at the 2009Guerra de Titanes where Sexy Star defeated Faby Apache in aLucha de Apuesta match, in no small part thanks to the interference ofLa Legión.[10] Following the match Faby's father came to the ring and cut some of Faby's hair off, although he did not shave it all off as is tradition inApuestas matches. On the same night, atGuerra de Titanes, Cinthia Moreno returned to AAA, siding with Faby Apache in her fight against La Legión. This meant that Moreno, Faby and her sister Mari Apache faced off against Sexy Star, Rain andChristina Von Eerie during the 2010Rey de Reyes event, a match which Moreno won for her team by pinning Sexy Star.[13] During a postRey de Reyes interview Sexy Star claimed that the Apaches and Cintia Moreno were nothing but maids, which led to AAA booking a match between Cinthia Moreno, Faby and Mari Apache against Sexy Star, Rain and Jennifer Blade in a match atTriplemanía XVIII where the person pinned or submitted would have to be the winning team's slave for a month.[14] At TriplemaníaLa Legión defeated Moreno and the Apaches, when Blade pinned Mari, thanks in part to the biased refereering by Hijo del Tirantes. Following the match Konnan ordered Mari Apache to begin her maid duty right away by cleaning up their dressing room. The stipulation expired on July 6, 2010.[15] On June 2, 2010 Aero Star and Faby Apache lost the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship toLa Legión Extranjera representativesAlex Koslov andChristina Von Eerie.[16] On October 1, 2010, atHéroes Inmortales IV Apache regained the championship from Koslov and Von Eerie with her new partnerPimpinela Escarlata.[17] Apache and Escarlata lost the title to Jennifer Blake andAlan Stone on March 13, 2011.[18] In August 2011, Faby and her sister worked a tour of Japan, working withOz Academy andPro Wrestling Wave.[19][20][21] On April 6, 2012, Mari Apache turnedruda and started a rivalry with Faby.[22] On November 27, Apache returned to Japan, when she took part in the 2012 Reina de Reinas tournament co-produced by AAA and Pro Wrestling Wave inTokyo'sKorakuen Hall. Apache was eliminated from the tournament in her opening match byKaguya.[23][24] On March 17, 2013, atRey de Reyes, Apache defeatedLuFisto, Mari Apache andTaya in a tournament final to win the vacant Reina de Reinas Championship for the second time.[25] On July 19, Apache became a double champion, when she andDrago defeatedHalloween and Mari Apache for the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship.[26] They lost the title toPentagón Jr. and Sexy Star on April 19, 2014.[27] On August 17 atTriplemanía XXII, Apache lost the Reina de Reinas Championship to Taya.[28]
On March 5, 2017, Apache defeatedRicky Marvin in a title vs. career match to make herself, her father and her sister the newAAA World Trios Champions.[29] although Mari and El Apache did not show up for defenses, during her first defense, her partners wereMonster Clown andMurder Clown. Even though Monster and Murder were rudos, the team managed to keep the titles on Faby. On April 21, Faby brought outDr. Wagner Jr. andPsycho Clown as her partners in a defense against the El Nuevo Poder del Norte team ofSoul Rocker,Mocho Cota Jr. andCarta Brava Jr. In the end, El Nuevo Poder del Norte won the titles.
The storyline betweenLady Shani and Faby Apache continued at the 2018Triplemanía XXVI where Shani defeated Faby Apache in a Lucha de Apuesta match, in no small part thanks to the interference ofLa Parka.[30]
She left the promotion on August 30, 2022.[31]
Apache made herImpact Wrestling debut on the September 20, 2018, episode ofImpact! when she defeatedAlisha Edwards, which was filmed in Mexico. After the match, Apache challengedTessa Blanchard.[32] On September 27 episode ofImpact, Apache unsuccessfully challenged Blanchard for theImpact Knockouts Championship.[33] On the October 19, 2019, episode ofXplosion, Apache earned her first win on Impact by defeatingAlisha Edwards, which was filmed in Mexico.[34] On April 1, 2022, atMultiverse of Matches, Apache challengedAAA Reina de Reinas ChampionDeonna Purrazzo for the title, however, was unsuccessful.[35]
Apache made herAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut by marking a surprise appearance atAll Out, participating in theCasino Battle Royale, where she was eliminated byNyla Rose.[36]
Balbuena comes from a wrestling family, she's the second daughter of Mario Balbuena González, who wrestled as Gran Apache. Her older sister Mariella wrestles as Mari Apache. She is the stepdaughter of Sandra González Calderón, better known asLady Apache although Balbuena's father and Lady Apache divorced years ago. She was married to wrestler José Roberto Islas García, known as Billy Boy and together the couple have a son called Marvin.[37]
| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faby Apache (hair) | La Hechicera (hair) | Orizaba, Veracruz | Live event | November 2, 2002 | [2] |
| Faby Apache (hair) | May Flowers (hair) | Naucalpan, Mexico State | Live event | October 19, 2003 | [Note 1][2] |
| Faby Apache (hair) | Mari Apache (hair) | Mexico City | Triplemanía XVI | June 13, 2008 | [4] |
| Sexy Star (hair) | Faby Apache (hair) | Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas | Guerra de Titanes | December 11, 2009 | [10] |
| Lady Shani (mask) | Faby Apache (hair) | Mexico City | Triplemanía XXVI | August 25, 2018 | [43] |
,Wrestlingdata,Internet Wrestling Database
