 Konnan in 2018 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Carlos Santiago Espada Moises (1964-01-06)January 6, 1964 (age 62)[6] |
| Relative | Dominik Mysterio (godson)[8] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | The Comet Kid[1] Conan the Barbarian[1] El Centurión[1] The Incredible Hulk K-Dawg Konan Konnan[2] Konnan el Barbaro[1] Konnan the Great The Latin Fury[1] Max Moon[2] El Relámpago Speedy Gonzales |
| Billed height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)[3] |
| Billed weight | 113.5 kg (250 lb)[3] |
| Billed from | Mexico City, Mexico[4][5] |
| Trained by | Super Astro[4] Negro Casas[2] Rey Misterio Sr.[4] |
| Debut | 1987[4] |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Unit | USSCape Cod (AD-43) |
Charles Ashenoff (bornCarlos Santiago Espada Moises; January 6, 1964),[6][9] better known by hisring nameKonnan, is a Cuban-born Americanprofessional wrestling personality, manager, and formerprofessional wrestler.[2] He is signed toLucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) and serves as a member of the creative team. During a career spanning almost three decades, he has wrestled for independent and national promotions in the United States and Mexico, and held fifteen title belts in nine promotions. He was also involved in the creation ofLucha Underground, where he was supposed to serve as a writer and producer, but ended up in an on-camera role as manager toPrince Puma throughout the first season. Outside of wrestling, Konnan is an occasionalrapper.
He is best known to United States audiences for his run inWorld Championship Wrestling as part of thenWo stable and as part ofThe Filthy Animals. He also formed the3 Live Kru for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in the early 2000s and later the Latin American Xchange (LAX) stable there. In Mexico, Konnan was the first-everCMLL World Heavyweight Champion, and the leader of theForeign Legion in AAA when they were the top stable.
Konnan was born Carlos Santiago Espada Moises inSantiago,Oriente Province (now part of the present daySantiago de Cuba Province), Cuba,[7] of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent.[10] In 1966, he and his mother arrived in Boston. Soon after landing in Boston, she met a young half-Jewish, half-Puerto Rican private investigator from New York named Richard Ashenoff. They soon married, and raised Carlos together. By 1967, the family relocated toCarol City in South Florida. When Richard formally adopted Carlos, he listed Carlos's legal name as Charles Ashenoff.[9]
By 1976, under the influence of older friends and neighbors, Ashenoff had gotten into stealing cars. He learned how to drive at 12, learned to box, and was an "avid weightlifter".[9] Ashenoff was expelled from several schools before landing atSouthwest Miami Senior High School. In 1982, he graduated a year early from Southwest Miami,[11] and was arrested and charged as a juvenile with credit card theft and motorcycle theft. Shortly after his 18th birthday, Ashenoff was caught selling drugs and charged as an adult.[9] He was givena choice of going to jail or entering the military. He chose the latter, joining theUnited States Navy.[12]
After basic training, Ashenoff was relocated to San Diego, and assigned to adestroyer tender in the Pacific Fleet – theUSS Cape Cod (AD-43). He won the California state (amateur) Middleweight Boxing Championship in 1983. He set a goal to qualify for the Junior Olympics in boxing, but injured his shoulder in training and was deployed to the Middle East subsequent to theU.S. Embassy bombing in Beirut on April 18, 1983. His ship was in the Strait of Hormuz when the US Marine barracks (along with the French paratrooper barracks) werebombed on October 24, 1983.[9] By 1984, theCape Cod was rotated out of the Persian Gulf. Ashenoff returned to San Diego, and received an honorable discharge.[9][note 1]
In San Diego, Konnan met John Roberts.[7][9][note 2] Dave Meltzer of theWrestling Observer Newsletter then details Ashenoff's first foray in to professional wrestling:
Carlos traveled to Tijuana on Wednesday, January 6, 1988, (his 24th birthday), where he was led to the dressing area and introduced to Manuel de los Santos, the promoter of the show, and who also wrestled in the main event as "Kiss". De los Santos took one look at the 215-pound bodybuilder and did the classic double-take—what the hell is this guy doing here, and, how quickly can I get this guy in the ring. Konnan introduced himself and explained how he was brought here by his manager/agent, John Roberts. Roberts had already bragged to de los Santos that Carlos had been a wrestler in Florida. Suddenly, a big roar (laughter) went up from another wrestler, Miguel Lopez, who wrestled as Rey Misterio. Lopez/Misterio explained to Carlos that Roberts was just a nutty fan, always in the front row, but that he did nothing involved with managing or agent-ing or anything else in the business. Still, the wrestlers asked Carlos, want to give it a try?[13]
Billed as El Centurión ("The Centurion"), Ashenoff debuted for theUniversal Wrestling Association (UWA) on January 6, 1988.[14]
In the early part of his career, he wrestled for many different promotions. After making his debut for UWA, Konnan wrestled for the UWA Heavyweight title against El Canek at UWA 14 on January 29, 1989, and wrestled six- and eight-man tag matches intermittently for the promotion until 1994, with the likes ofDos Caras, Mascara Sagrada, and others. All of his matches for UWA after 1991 were cross-promotions with EMLL and AAA.[15]
Konnan wrestled in a six-man, two out of three falls, tag team match asKonnan El Barbaro ("Konnan the Barbarian") with Lizmark and Yoshihiro Asai against As Charro, Indio Yori and Negro Casas on February 3, 1989, for World Wrestling Association.[15] Konnan joinedEmpresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre (EMLL) later that year. He usedKonnan El Barbaro with EMLL as well.[15][note 3]
Konnan's first stint withWorld Championship Wrestling lasted only a few weeks. His debut was atStarrcade on December 16, 1990. Teaming with his trainer and mentor, Rey Misterio, Konnan entered the Pat O'Connor Memorial International Cup Tag Team Tournament held at the event. They defeatedNorman Smiley andChris Adams in the quarter-finals, but lost to eventual winners, theSteiner Brothers (Rick andScott) in the semi-finals.[16] He then won a televised match on WCW Power Hour againstChuck Coates on January 19, 1991. Konnan would not return to the promotion until 1996.[15]
While still part of WCW, Konnan was contacted by talent scoutPat Patterson on New Year's Eve 1990, which led to a meeting with Vince McMahon, where the initial idea for what became Max Moon was discussed. According to Konnan, "When I was wrestling in Japan, I saw this Japanese anime cartoon robot on TV that shot confetti and fire. [Vince] asked if I knew anybody that could design it."[17] Konnan was given an outfit (purchased by the WWF at the cost of$15,000) bedecked withcircuitry and apyrotechnicgun that shot sparkles into the crowd.[17] Konnan recollected later that the costs associated with the costume led to problems between himself and the promotion right from the start.[17]
Days later he received a tryout on January 7, 1991, at aWWF Superstars taping in Amarillo, Texas defeating Ultraman.[15] He returned again on March 26 in Las Vegas, Nevada, defeatingLouie Spicolli in aWWF Superstars dark match. He would defeat Spicolli again one night later at aWrestling Challenge taping in Reno.[18] Konnan returned again on January 7, 1992, at aWWF Superstars taping in Daytona Beach, FL. wrestling this time as The Latin Fury, he defeated The Heartbreaker.[19] The next day he defeatedThe Juicer in a dark match at aWrestling Challenge taping in Fort Myers, Florida. Konnan would wrestle twice more as The Latin Fury, the final time at a house show in Hyannis, Massachusetts on July 19, 1992, when he defeated Pete Doherty.[15]
The next day, when he appeared at aWWF Superstars taping in Worcester, Massachusetts against The Mercenary, he was renamed El Relámpago.[15] He wrestled again as El Relámpago the following night against Luis Mendieta.[20]
A little over a month later he received the gimmick that he would become known for,Max Moon (although he was originally calledThe Comet Kid for a handful of appearances).[21] The Mooncharacter, created by Konnan,[22] was that of acyborg from "The Future" or "Outer Space".
Back in EMLL, Konnan lost his mask toPerro Aguayo in aLucha de Apuesta mask versushair match. on June 9, 1991, by disqualification.[15] After the match, a young boy—introduced as Konnan's brother—entered the ring crying and handed Konnan his mask back, generating considerable bonhomie towards Konnan from the sympathetic crowd.
In 1991, EMLL changed its name officially toConsejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). Konnan then became the first-everCMLL World Heavyweight Champion later that year by winning a tournament consisting of four matches at four events: an eight-man elimination match for the first round on May 24, 1991; a four-man battle royal quarterfinal on May 31; a two-out-of-three falls semifinal match on June 7; and finally, a two-out-of-three falls match againstCien Caras at EMLL Super Viernes inMexico City on June 9, 1991.[15]
In 1992, Konnan, along with several other EMLL wrestlers, joinedAsistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA).[7] Shortening his ring name to simply "Konnan", hefeuded with Cien Caras.
Back in AAA, following interference fromJake Roberts, Konnan lost atwo out of three fallsretirement match by count-out to Caras atTriplemanía I on April 30, 1993, in front of 48,000 fans in Mexico City, setting the all-time attendance record for a Mexican wrestling event.[7][23] Konnan did not comply with the stipulations of the match and returned to defeat Roberts in a hair versus hair match atTriplemanía II on May 27, 1994, in Tijuana.[7]
Later in 1994, Konnan began a storyline where he betrayed histag team partner, Perro Aguayo, and formed aheelalliance known asLos Gringos Locos withEddie Guerrero,Art Barr andMadonna's Boyfriend.[7] Aguayo gained his revenge on Konnan by defeating him in the only AAApay-per-view, "When Worlds Collide", in asteel cage match.[7] He eventually became the AAAbooker.[24] Konnan defeated Killer on February 2, 1996, inQuerétaro to become the first ever AAA Heavyweight Champion.[25] He vacated the title after leaving AAA in October 1996 to form his own promotion,Promo Azteca, and the title remained inactive until 2004. Konnan's Mexican wrestling career was hampered in the late-1990s by his American wrestling commitments, andPromo Azteca closed in 1998. He made a return to the Mexican wrestling circuit in the 2000s after a six-year absence, selling out arenas in Mexico City andGuadalajara.[15][26]
Konnan made his WWF debut on September 1, 1992, inHershey, Pennsylvania, during aSuperstars taping under the name The Comet Kid when he pinnedBarry Horowitz.[27] After three televised matches, Konnan abruptly left the WWF following a disagreement with WWF ownerVince McMahon in 1992. Konnan was not showing up for WWF events due to his rising fame in Mexico, and his supposed "bad attitude" and heat from fellow WWF workers leading to a very strained relationship with McMahon, who had invested heavily in the Max Moon character, both financially and creatively, up until that point.[28] However, he left a mark on the WWF by teaching the sharpshooter to Bret Hart.[29][30][31]
Konnan was still working in Mexico while under contract to WWF, and was also simultaneously appearing in a Mexicantelenovela aimed at children calledEl abuelo y yo. As he was becoming more popular in Mexico, he was not as focused on making it in America. Konnan recollected, "Wrestling was so hot in Mexico, because they had lifted this 30-year ban on wrestling on TV in Mexico City. I was able to capitalize on that wrestling boom. I was wrestling three times in one day on many weekends. The amount of work was incredible. It was like when Raw and Nitro were going head-to-head and there was work for everybody."[17]
There was also some locker room tension over the costs associated with the costume, Konnan's perceived attitude, and Konnan also was missing tapings because he was more successful in Mexico and was not focusing on WWF.[17] In the end, the Max Moon character was given to Paul Diamond, who appeared as the character on thefirst episode ofMonday Night Raw on January 11, 1993.[17] After a brief run, the character was abandoned.[32]
After meetingExtreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) bookerPaul Heyman while on a wrestling tour ofSingapore, Konnan joined ECW in 1995 and feuded withThe Sandman. He appeared atECW November to Remember on November 18, 1995,squashingJason Knight.[7] He also wrestled at an event co-promoted by ECW and the AAA inChicago, Illinois.
Konnan returned to WCW on a full-time basis on the January 22, 1996, edition ofNitro, where he announced that he would defend his "Mexican Heavyweight Championship" against Psicosis, the following night atClash of the Champions, where Konnan retained the title.[15][32] As a WCW employee, he was largely responsible for the hiring of several prominent Mexican wrestlers by WCW, includingRey Mysterio Jr.,Psicosis,Juventud Guerrera andLa Parka.[7] Konnan defeatedOne Man Gang for theUnited States Heavyweight Championship on January 29, 1996.[15] During his reign, he continued to defend his IWAS and AAA Heavyweight Championships in Mexico (these championships were billed as a "Mexican Heavyweight Title" wherever Konnan wore one or the other to a WCW ring).[15] Konnan successfully defended the United States Heavyweight Championship against One Man Gang atSuperBrawl VI,Eddie Guerrero atUncensored,Jushin Liger atSlamboree andEl Gato atThe Great American Bash before losing the title toRic Flair on July 7 atBash at the Beach following interference from Flair'svaletsMiss Elizabeth andWoman.[15][33]
Several months after losing the United States Championship, Konnan became a villain and joinedThe Dungeon of Doom. However, the gimmick was already on its way out. According toKevin Sullivan (the originator of the stable), speaking in a retrospective interview in July 2016, Konnan "didn't fit in The Dungeon of Doom. He was forced into it." Sullivan also praised Konnan highly: [He's] a fabulous performer and has a great mind for the wrestling business. He should have been on his own. Putting him with us, he just lost all the steam he had. He brought the luchadors into WCW, so he had a real effect on professional wrestling."[34]
Konnan joined theNew World Order (nWo) on July 14, 1997. Konnan developed an increasinglyhip-hop based gimmick and was nicknamed "K-Dogg." During his first stint in the nWo, Konnan feuded with theLuchadores whom he had brought to WCW. During this storyline, he wrestled in a Mexican Death match atRoad Wild against Rey Mysterio, Jr. and a match against Juventud Guerrera atUncensored in March 1998. When the nWo divided into two rival factions on the May 4, 1998, episode ofNitro, Konnan sided with the nWo Wolfpac, led byKevin Nash.[7] The Wolfpac feuded with nWo Hollywood, led byHollywood Hogan and becametweeners. On the November 30, 1998, episode ofNitro, Konnan defeatedChris Jericho for theWorld Television Championship.[7] His reign lasted until December 28, 1998, when he lost to nWo Hollywood member Scott Steiner onNitro following interference fromBuff Bagwell.[35] When the two halves of the nWo reunited in January 1999, Konnan was thrown out of the nWo for standing up for Rey Mysterio, Jr and was attacked byLex Luger. As a result, he became aface and teamed with Mysterio to fight the nWo. After feuding with nWo member Lex Luger, Konnan and Mysterio, Jr. were defeated byThe Outsiders atSuperBrawl IX, with The Outsiders removing Mysterio's mask in the process. Konnan later criticized WCW for not respecting Mexican wrestling culture by writing storylines that saw several Mexican wrestlers unceremoniously unmasked (Juventud Guerrera, Psicosis, and Mysterio). He compared asking aluchador to remove their mask to "going to Japan and telling the Japanese they have to eat with a fork instead of chopsticks."[22]
Konnan was kicked out of the NWO Wolfpac on January 11, 1999. A week later he would enter the ring using the "Psycho" theme music which would later on becoming Rey Mysterio's theme song after his unmasking and the Filthy Animals theme for a while till it was replaced with "The Reason".Konnan spent several months feuding withDisco Inferno,[7] and then he began a rivalry withStevie Ray. He and Mysterio formed an alliance withMaster P and hisNo Limit Soldiers and fought withThe West Texas Rednecks. After Master P left WCW, Konnan formed a stable known asThe Filthy Animals. He and Mysterio, representing the Filthy Animals, defeatedHarlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) for theWCW World Tag Team Championship on October 18, 1999.[7] They were scheduled to defend the titles against Harlem Heat in theMGM Grand Garden Arena on October 24, 1999, atHalloween Havoc, but on the night of the event Mysterio was announced as being injured.[7] The title was then contested in a three-way tag match pitting Konnan and Billy Kidman, representing the Filthy Animals, against Harlem Heat and theFirst Family (Hugh Morrus andBrian Knobs). Harlem Heat regained the title after Stevie Ray pinned Morrus. Konnan and Kidman defeated Harlem Heat for the title the next night onNitro,[7] but lost toHarris Brothers (Ron and Don Harris) on November 22, 1999.[36]
Konnan was inactive throughout early 2000, as he was suspended for three months by Bill Busch after requesting his release from WCW, unhappy with the way he was being used.[32] Shortly after returning from suspension and reforming the Filthy Animals, Konnan was sidelined once again, this time with a legitimately torntriceps muscle,[7] damaged whenVan Hammer threw Juventud Guerrera at him during a match and Guerrera's elbow connected with Konnan's upper arm as he attempted to catch him. Throughout 2000, the Filthy Animals feuded with other stables, includingThe Misfits In Action,The Natural Born Thrillers andTeam Canada.[7] At WCW's final pay-per-view event,Greed on March 18, 2001,Lance Storm andMike Awesome (representing Team Canada) defeated Hugh Morrus and Konnan. The assets of WCW were sold to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) five days later, on March 23.
Following the sale of WCW, Konnan returned to wrestling for multiple independent promotions. He first went toXtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW), where he took part in a tournament for the then-vacant XPW Television title on August 25, 2001. He defeated Johnny Webb and Vic Grimes in the first and second rounds, respectively, and then lost the final to Kaos. He then wrestled a match withDamian Steele on October 13, 2001. He wrestled Steele again on November 24, 2001, in a "Loser Leaves XPW" match atXPW Revolution atGrand Olympic Auditorium inLos Angeles, California. Konnan won the match.[15]
Konnan wrestled in Australia, the UK, and Germany forWorld Wrestling All-Stars from October to December 2001. His first match with the promotion was October 19, 2001, where he defeatedGangrel. He would win two further matches against Gangrel during his time at the promotion, but his singles record was generally poor: he lost in the first round of the WWA Heavyweight Championship title in a dog collar match againstRoad Dogg on October 26, 2001, and lost three tables matches against Norman Smiley on December 8, 9 and 11, 2001. Konnan's tag-team record was much better: Konnan went 6–0 teamed with Nathan Jones (exclusively against the team ofLenny Lane andLodi, better-known formerly asThe West Hollywood Blondes in WCW) between November 27 – December 11, 2001.[15]
After a no-contest match againstSandman on January 12, 2002, atXPW New Year's Revolution 2, Konnan then went toWorld Wrestling Council, where he won the World Wrestling CouncilWorld Tag Team Championship withCarly Colón, defeatingThunder and Lightning on May 26, 2002.[2]
Konnan appeared on the inauguralTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)pay-per-view on June 19, 2002, in theVon Braun Center inHuntsville, Alabama. He entered theGauntlet for the Gold match for the vacantNWA World Heavyweight Championship,[7] but he waschokeslammed and subsequently eliminated byMalice.He then went to Maximum Xtreme Pro Wrestling, where he lost another heavyweight title match; this time against Simon Diamond for the MXPW Heavyweight Title on August 12, 2002.[15] He lost yet another title match upon returning to World Wrestling Council, losing by disqualification to Carly Colón in a match for theUniversal Heavyweight title atWWC 29th Aniversario on September 14, 2002.[15] Konnan finally won the title by defeating Colón on November 2, 2002,[2] only to lose the title back to Colón 21 days later.[37]
Returning to World Wrestling All-Stars in November and December 2002, Konnan defeated Norman Smiley twice in singles matches on November 28 and 29, 2002, and won in three minutes against Nate Webb on December 6, 2002, atWWA The Retribution in Glasgow. Subsequent to that, Konnan tag-teamed with Smiley against Disco Inferno and Malice for three matches between December 8–13, 2002, and won all three.[15]
Konnan made two final appearances for World Wrestling All-Stars in May 2003, before the promotion folded. He also wrestled a tag match teamed with Norman Smiley for MXPW in September 2003.[15] These would be his last extended stints in the independent circuit for nearly a decade.
Konnan returned to TNA on February 12, 2003, and formed a short-lived villainous alliance, the Authentic Luchadores, with fellow Hispanic wrestlers Juventud Guerrera,Super Crazy andThe S.A.T.(Spanish Announce Team).[7] The stable feuded withJerry Lynn until April 2, 2003, when Lynn claimed that he had been heavily influenced bylucha libre and that he respected his Mexican opponents, thus earning the friendship of Konnan.[2]
Throughout May and June 2003, Konnan began teaming withB.G. James andRon Killings, and in July 2003 the trio formed a stable known as the3 Live Kru. The Kru first wrestled as a unit on August 13, 2003, defeatingThe New Church (Sinn,Vampire Warrior andTempest). On November 26, the Kru defeatedSimon Diamond,Johnny Swinger andGlenn Gilberti in a six-man tag team match with the vacantNWA World Tag Team Championships on the line. The championship was held by all three members of the Kru,[7] until January 28, 2004, when they were defeated byKevin Northcutt andLegend in Nashville.[38] After several abortive attempts to regain the tag title, the Kru began supporting Ron Killings's bid to become NWA World Heavyweight Champion. The Kru later feuded with Jarrett'smercenaries, The Elite Guard (Chad Collyer,Hotstuff Hernandez, andOnyx).
While with TNA, Konnan also returned to Asistencia Asesoría y Administración, making his first appearance atAAA Sin Limite - Guerra De Titanes 2004 on May 12, 2004. Konnan was teamed withRikishi and lost to Cibernetico and La Parka by disqualification.[15]
On July 14, 2004, the 3 Live Kru,Dusty Rhodes andLarry Zbyszko defeated Jarrett,Ken Shamrock and the Elite Guard in a ten-man tag team match. The Kru began feuding withTeam Canada in August 2004, and at the inaugural three-hour TNA pay-per-view,Victory Road on November 7, 2004, Konnan and James defeated Team Canada membersBobby Roode and"Showtime" Eric Young for the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Their reign lasted one month, with Team Canada regaining the title on December 5, 2004, atTurning Point with the help of the injuredJohnny Devine.[38]
Throughout early 2005, the Kru feuded withMichael Shane andKazarian, Team Canada andThe Naturals. Dissension arose after James's former tag team partner from the WWF,Billy Gunn, joined TNA as "The New Age Outlaw" and began trying to convince James to reform their highly successful tag team, theNew Age Outlaws.[7] Konnan and Killings feuded with The Outlaw and"The Alpha Male" Monty Brown, with James's loyalties divided. From March 2005 onwards, Konnan was also feuding with Vampiro and La Parka in AAA. The feud went on intermittently through 2006.
Brown and The Outlaw, who had by now renamed himself "Kip James", defeated Konnan and Killings atNo Surrender on July 17, 2005, with James declining to help either team. Konnan and Killings became increasingly frustrated, at one point referring to themselves as the "2Live Kru". The two teams faced one another in a No Surrender rematch on August 14, 2005, atSacrifice, with James appointed guest referee byDirector of Authority Larry Zbyszko, and James reaffirmed his loyalty to the Kru by attacking Kip, enabling Konnan to pin him and win the match. The Kru, apparently undivided, celebrated together following the match.[2]
Over the following weeks, Kip James began assisting the 3 Live Kru, and on October 23, 2005, atBound for Glory, he saved Konnan from a beating at the hands of Team Canada. On the November 26 episode ofImpact!, B.G. James brought Kip James and the 3 Live Kru to ringside, then asked Killings and Konnan whether James could join the stable. Following a heated argument between the still skeptical Konnan and B.G., both Killings and Konnan gave their assent, and the 4 Live Kru was born. AtTurning Point the 4 Live Kru faced Team Canada in an eight-man tag match.[7] In the course of the match, Konnan attacked both B.G. and Kip James.[7]
On the December 31, 2005, episode ofImpact!, Konnan told B.G.'s father,Bob Armstrong, that he was a "hothead" and invited Armstrong to accompany him backstage for an apology. Instead of apologizing, Konnan turnedheel by leading Armstrong into an ambush at the hands ofApolo and the debutingHomicide.[7] The trio, later identified asThe Latin American Xchange (LAX),[7] then instructed anunconscious Armstrong to tell B.G. and Kip to "take care of their own business". AtFinal Resolution on January 15, 2006, Konnan and Homicide defeatedThe Naturals. After Apolo was released by TNA, he was replaced byMachete, who was in turn evicted from LAX by Konnan and Homicide. In subsequent weeks, Konnan began feuding with Bob Armstrong. On the April 8, 2006, episode ofImpact!, Konnan faced Armstrong in an "Arm Wrestling Challenge"; the contest ended in a no-contest after LAX memberHernandez attacked Armstrong. AtLockdown on April 23, 2006, Konnan was defeated by Armstrong in an arm wrestling contest held within the confines of a steel cage; following the bout, each member of the LAX received tenlashes from theJames Gang.[39]
May 2006 was very busy for Konnan. In AAA, he made his first appearance withLa Legión Extranjera (with Chessman and Ron Killings) on May 1, 2006, losing to El Zorro, Octagon and Vampiro Canadiense atAAA Sin Limite. He soon became the leader of the stable, which was active through 2009. That same month, Konnan became theTNA Impact! Spanishcolor commentator. Additionally, he and the LAX began a storyline that saw them refuse to wrestle (as well as himself andMoody Jack refuse to commentate), claiming thatLatinos were discriminated against within TNA.
On June 24, 2006, Konnan participated in the firstlucha libre event in San Diego. He stated that "Unfortunately there has never beenlucha libre in the South Bay, there has never beenlucha libre forla raza. Finally they will be able to see thelucha libre that they watch on television live here a few minutes from their home."[40]
In early 2007, Konnan underwenthip replacement surgery, and his appearances in TNA from then on saw him frequently using awheelchair. In June, Konnan left TNA, as did Ron Killings.[41] Konnan gave several interviews about the drug abuse problem in pro wrestling around that time, most notably to theNew York Daily News, which indicated that Konnan believed his "hip degenerated after years of steroid abuse and the physical toll of his sport, and...painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs ruined [his] kidney."[42] He would reiterate the issue on his podcast some years later[43] He successfully underwent kidney transplant surgery on July 23, 2007.[44]
While with TNA, Konnan also returned to AAA (Asistencia, Asesoría y Administración de Espectáculos), making his first appearance atAAA Sin Limite - Guerra De Titanes 2004 on December 5, 2004. Konnan was teamed withRikishi and lost to Cibernetico and La Parka by disqualification.[15] From March 2005 onwards, Konnan was also feuding with Vampiro and La Parka in AAA. The feud went on intermittently through 2006. On May 1, 2006, he made his first appearance withLa Legión Extranjera (with Chessman and Ron Killings), losing to El Zorro, Octagon and Vampiro Canadiense atAAA Sin Limite. He soon became the leader of the stable, which was active through 2009.
On June 24, 2006, Konnan participated in the firstlucha libre event in San Diego. He stated that "Unfortunately there has never beenlucha libre in the South Bay, there has never beenlucha libre forla raza. Finally they will be able to see thelucha libre that they watch on television live here a few minutes from their home."[40]
Despite having left TNA in June 2007, Konnan did not wrestle for AAA until October, and only wrestled in four matches during the remainder of the year, due to his aforementioned surgeries. Konnan returned to World Wrestling Council atWWC Euphoria Tour 2008 on January 6, 2008, with Ron Killings of the 3 Live Kru, losing a tag team match against Eddy and Orlando Colon.[15] In March 2008, Konnan sued TNA for racism and discrimination, alleging that while the company said that they would help pay for his hip replacement surgery, they did not. Konnan also claimed that TNA helped pay forScott Steiner's operation, but did not pay forRon Killings's surgery from around the same time.[45]
On October 24, 2008, Konnan took part in an "Eight Man Domo De La Muerte Steel Cage Winner Gets Control Over AAA" match whereLa Legión Extranjera (consisting of Konnan, Electroshock, Kenzo Suzuki, and Rellik) defeated La Parka, Latin Lover, Octagon and Super Fly. On March 15, 2009, Konnan lost a Hair vs. Hair match against Vampiro Canadiense. He continued to wrestle withLa Legión until February 2010.[15]
On June 12, 2010, in a Four Way Elimination Match for the vacant AAA Parejas Increibles Tag Team Title, Cibernetico and Konnan defeated Dr. Wagner Jr. and Silver Cain, Electroshock and Super Fly, and LA Par-K and La Parka to become the champions. Konnan wrestled his last official match for AAA on October 1, 2010, a three-on-two Handicap Hardcore match pitting Joe Lider and Nicho el Millonario asLa Hermandad Extrema against the threesome of Damian 666, Halloween and Konnan asLa Sociedad. Konnan's team lost the match.[15]
Konnan then made a series of appearances for independent promotions again, beginning with his only appearance as a performer forEl Hijo de Perro Aguayo's promotionPerros del Mal on November 6, 2010.La Sociedad defeated Charlie Haas, Super Crazy and Tony Wilson atPDM The War at Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez Moreno in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.[15]
On July 3, 2011, Konnan, together with El Canek and El Rayo de Jalisco Jr, defeated Los Hermanos Dinamita (Cien Caras, Mascara Ano 2000, and Universo 2000) by disqualification at International Wrestling Revolution Group'sFestival De Las Mascaras 2011 at Arena Naucalpan in Naucalpan de Juarez, Estado de Mexico, Mexico. He then took part in a Mixed Five-on-four Handicap Match on August 7, 2011, where the team of Dr. Wagner Jr., Electroshock,El Elegido and El Zorro defeated Konnan, Chessman, Jennifer Blake, Mini Psicosis and Nicho el Millonario as part of a telethon benefit show in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico. On October 7, 2011, Konnan and Nicho el Millonario, wrestling asLa Sociedad lost by DQ to El Mesias and Extreme Tiger in an event for Promociones MV held at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez Moreno in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.[15]
AtPro Wrestling Superstars' WrestleReunion VI held at The Westin Los Angeles Airport in Los Angeles, California, on January 28, 2012, Konnan took part in a 20-man Battle Royal featuring Brutus Beefcake, Gangrel, Greg Valentine, and others. The match was eventually won by The Godfather. Konnan then defeated The Convict at High Impact Wrestling'sHIW Summer Invasion 2012 at Treaty Grounds in La Loche, Saskatchewan, Canada on August 23, 2012.[15]
On February 3, 2013, Konnan was (in-storyline) fired from AAA.[46] However, he returned to the promotion on April 15, announcing that he was once again becoming an in-ring performer.[47] However, he instead moved on to other duties. He told Stephen Dean Johnson ofSLAM! Wrestling that he is "kind of a jack-of-all-trades with Triple AAA. I write, produce, act as agent, and international liaison for talent. I am also on TV as one of the main managers for heels." In that same interview, he teased the then-upcoming deal that would lead toLucha Underground.[48] Konnan wrestled what appears to be his final match to date on September 15, 2013, in a six-man tag match. He, El Mariachi and Kafu defeated Derek Sanders, Oliver John and Vaquero Fantasma at an event taking place at the Santa Cruz County Fair in Watsonville, California.[15]
In August 2014, Konnan had his left hip replaced.[49] He was also very critical of WWE on Twitter[50] regardingAlberto Del Rio's release from WWE for "unprofessional conduct regarding an alleged racist joke made by a WWE employee[51] and a concurrent contract dispute involving Rey Mysterio where WWE extended Mysterio's contract without permission.[52]
In September 2014, Konnan was announced as one of the AAA wrestlers to star in theEl Rey network's new television seriesLucha Underground.[53] In the first season, he appeared as the manager ofPrince Puma and claimed responsibility for bringingFénix,Pentagón Jr. andDrago into the promotion.
On March 20, 2015, Konnan was ringside at a show organized by the independent promotionThe Crash, in Tijuana, Mexico, whenEl Hijo del Perro Aguayo died in a freak accident during a match.[54] He was named Crash' Head of creative until December 2017, when he was released.
In February 2016, Konnan stated that he had lost his creative position in AAA and was now merely a consultant for the promotion.[55] He then levelled several accusations at AAA regarding non-payment of talent.[56]
Konnan was named Head of Creative of Aro Lucha.[57]
In March 2017, Konnan returned toImpact Wrestling as the manager ofThe Latin American Xchange (Homicide,Ortiz,Santana andDiamante). On January 23, 2019, it was revealed that Konnan would now be working as a member of the creative team for Impact Wrestling.[58]
On June 4 inVerano de Escándalo, Konnan returned to the AAA helpingJeff Jarrett win theAAA Mega Championship againstRey Wagner andRey Mysterio Jr. before being faced byFénix. On July 14 in Querétaro, Konnan and his groupMAD make their debut, but were interrupted byLa Parka, starting a rivalry.
During 2024, Konnan began to clash withLatin Lover, who had been appointed as an authority figure on-screen. AtTriplemanía XXXII: Mexico City, afterAlberto el Patrón turned villainous, Konnan aligned himself with Alberto and attacked Latin Lover.
Following the WWE’s acquisition of AAA, Konnan was a commentary during the first joint event,Worlds Collide on June 7, 2025.[59]
Starting in 2018 Konnan began appearing inMajor League Wrestling as a manager forPentagon Jr. andFenix, among other AAA wrestlers. He and his clients engaged in a feud withMLW World Heavyweight ChampionLow Ki. On December 14, 2018, Konnan challenged Low Ki in a no-disqualification match for his championship, in a losing effort.[60] The match was stopped by the referee when Low Ki, Ricky Martinez, andHijo de L.A. Park would not stop attacking Konnan. Low Ki then "shanked" Konnan with some object, butTom Lawlor ran out to make the save.[61]
On November 17, 2020, Konnan returned to TNT for the first timesince 2001, when he appeared on an episode ofAEW Dynamite.[62] During his appearance, Konnan reunited with former LAX membersSantana and Ortiz, both of whom were now wrestling forAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) and were also members of Chris Jericho's wrestling stableInner Circle.[62] The reunion occurred during an Inner Circle party in Las Vegas.[62] Konnan later appeared at AEW's marquee eventDouble or Nothing on May 30, 2021. During the main event match, which was aStadium Stampede match that involved The Inner Circle, Konnan had a cameo appearance as aDJ inside a club in theTIAA Bank Field stadium, briefly assisting Santana and Ortiz.[63] Konnan appeared on the June 26 edition ofDynamite, being supportive of Santana and Ortiz until attacked by their rivalsFTR at the behest ofTully Blanchard.
Konnan has appeared in the video gameWCW Nitro,WCW/nWo Revenge,WCW/nWo Thunder,WCW Mayhem,WCW Backstage Assault,Lucha Libre AAA: Héroes del Ring.[64]
Konnan had a weekly podcast on MLW Radio which moved to The Jericho Network in July 2016.[65] Konnan became the "first new voice" on the podcast network, which was started by Chris Jericho. The podcast,Keeping it 100 with Konnan is co-hosted byGlenn Gilberti. Konnan also made an appearance atSan Diego Comic-Con.[66]
Konnan made an appearance at2023 WWE Hall of Fame, inducting Rey Mysterio.[67]
| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Konnan (mask) | Red Killer (mask) | N/A | Live event | N/A | |
| Konnan (mask) | Junior Killer (mask) | N/AN/A | Live event | N/A | |
| Konnan (mask) and Unknown (hair) | Red Killer (hair) and Junior Killer (hair) | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Live event | Unknown | |
| Konnan (mask) | As Charro (hair) | Tijuana, Baja California | Live event | February 24, 1989 | |
| Perro Aguayo (hair) | Konnan (mask) | Mexico City | Live event | March 22, 1991 | |
| Konnan (hair) | Perro Aguayo (hair) | Mexico City | EMLL 58th Anniversary Show | September 6, 1991 | [note 5][85] |
| Konnan (hair) | El Cobarde II (hair) | Los Angeles, California | Live event | July 4, 1992 | |
| Konnan (hair) | Rey Gestas (hair) | Apatlaco, Mexico State | Live event | August 15, 1992 | |
| Konnan (hair) | Jake Roberts (hair) | Tijuana, Baja California | Triplemanía II-C | May 27, 1994 | |
| Konnan (hair) | Cien Caras (hair) | Los Angeles, California | Live event | July 15, 1995 | [note 6] |
| Konnan (Kidman's hair) | Mike Awesome (hair) | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Live event | January 15, 2001 | |
| Vampiro Canadienese (hair of Joaquin Roldan) | Konnan (hair of Arturo Rivera) | Guadalajara, Jalisco | Rey de Reyes | March 15, 2009 | [86] |
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,Cagematch,Internet Wrestling Database