Zacatecas, Zacatecas
Manuel González was born on April 13, 1936, in Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico, although later on he would be billed as being born in 1941. The González family moved to Torreón, Coahuila before Manuel turned one, growing up and identifying with the "Lagunero" area of Torreón. The colorful "luchadors" who wrestled on Friday nights captured the young González's attention early on. Coming from a poor background, González only went to school for a few years before dropping out to work instead. When he was old enough he began training at Roy Velasco's "Gimnasio Hércules" in Torreón, all while working on the side to earn enough money for both his tuition and food for his family.