Hercules Hernandez

Masked Assassin #2

Super Invader

In the early 1980's, Hernandez joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and was paired up with Jody Hamilton, who had been wrestling as the Masked Assassin; Hernandez became the **Masked Assassin 2**. The two competed at the first ever Starrcade, beating the team of Rufus R. Jones and Bugsy McGraw. His run as one of the Assassins ended less than a year later, after he was unmasked by Jimmy Valiant.

Hernandez debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1985, managed by "Classy" Freddie Blassie. His first major national exposure came when he competed at WrestleMania 2 in a losing effort against Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat in the Los Angeles part of the show. Blassie soon retired. In storyline, he sold his stable to Slick and Hernandez soon found himself floundering in the WWF midcard. In late 1986, however, his contract was "sold" by Slick to fellow heel manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Soon after, he dropped "Hernandez" from his ringname (though some commentators such as Gorilla Monsoon still occasionally referred to him as Hernandez), as well as the Roman gladiator-style vest and wrist bands he wore during his ring entrance. He began carrying a long steel chain to the ring and re-emerged with a more muscular physique. On the November 29, 1986 *Saturday Night's Main Event VIII*, Hercules received a shot at the WWF Heavyweight Title, facing champion Hulk Hogan. Although he was able to put Hogan in the "Hercules backbreaker" torture rack, he lost by pinfall.

Also in the fall of 1986, Hercules began a feud with Billy Jack Haynes. As part of the feud, Hercules started using Haynes' finishing move, the full nelson submission hold, as his finisher. On an episode of *WWF Wrestling Challenge*, Heenan called out Haynes, saying he would like to see him get out of Hercules' version of the hold. Haynes promptly answered the challenge and was waiting for Hercules to apply the hold when Heenan appeared to have second thoughts. Haynes grew tired of the charade and shoved Heenan. This gave Hercules the opening he needed to clothesline Haynes. Haynes was unable to defend himself and Hercules applied the full nelson. When Haynes began powering out of the hold, Heenan kicked him in the abdomen and Hercules released the hold. This incident set the stage for their match at WrestleMania III at the Pontiac Silverdome. The momentum swung back and forth throughout the contest until Haynes attempted to apply the full nelson; both men tumbled to the floor after Hercules reached the ropes. Haynes applied the full nelson on the floor as both men were counted out. Heenan broke the hold by driving a knee into the back of Haynes, who then turned his attention to Heenan and chased him into the ring, allowing Hercules to blindside him with a shot to the head with his steel chain wrapped around his fist, causing Haynes to bleed profusely. The feud culminated some weeks later in a chain match that saw Hercules as the victor.

In the early part of 1988, during an episode of *WWF Superstars of Wrestling*, Hercules was swinging his chain in the direction of another muscular power wrestler the Ultimate Warrior. Warrior caught the chain, and the two began a tug of war, which led to the steel chain snapping at the middle. The broadcast commentators gave credit to the Warrior for snapping the chain, to the chagrin of Hercules and Heenan, though heel commentator Jesse Ventura contended that it took both Hercules and the Warrior to break the chain and not just the Warrior. This led to their grudge match at WrestleMania IV, which ended with Warrior pinning Hercules after pushing off from the turnbuckle while in Hercules' full nelson and landing on top of him before lifting his shoulder at the two count while referee Dave Hebner continued to count Hercules.

During the fall of 1988, Bobby Heenan sold Hercules' contract to Ted DiBiase; DiBiase claimed that in Hercules, he had now purchased his own slave. The would-be transaction failed because Hercules resisted the proceedings which angered him. He stated that he was owned by "no man" and instantly turned face to feud with DiBiase. Hercules defeated DiBiase's bodyguard Virgil in a battle for his "freedom" on *Saturday Night's Main Event XVIII* on November 16 after DiBiase contended that he should not have to dirty his hands to beat his own slave. Hercules and DiBiase were later on opposite teams at Survivor Series 1988, where DiBiase eliminated Hercules from the contest, but Hercules then distracted DiBiase long enough to be eliminated by WWF World Champion Randy Savage, who rolled him up for a pin while he was still gloating about eliminating Hercules.

After the feud with DiBiase ended, Hercules had a series of matches with Haku (who was managed by Heenan). Despite pinning Haku at WrestleMania V, he did not become the "King" of the WWF. Hercules' career stalled following his feud with Haku. He was mainly used to help push the latest heels such as The Earthquake, who squashed him at WrestleMania VI.

In the summer of 1990, Hercules turned heel alongside Paul Roma and the two formed Power and Glory, managed by Slick. They had a high-profile feud with The Rockers, defeating them at SummerSlam, while also challenging WWF World Tag Team Champions The Hart Foundation.

After SummerSlam 1991, Roma left the WWF. Hercules spent the rest of his time in the WWF jobbing again, losing to wrestlers such as the Big Boss Man and Sid Justice, as well as Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart. His last televised WWF match was against Sid Justice at Madison Square Garden, where he was squashed in under a minute.

After being with the WWF for seven years, Hernandez signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1992. He once again adopted a masked persona, this time as **Super Invader**, a supposed oriental assassin under the management of Harley Race. As Super Invader, he beat Todd Champion at WrestleWar 1992 and beat Marcus Bagwell in a dark match before the Great American Bash 1992. The highlight of his run as Super Invader was his appearance at *Clash of the Champions XX*, teaming with Rick Rude, Jake Roberts, and Big Van Vader in an elimination tag team match against Sting, Nikita Koloff, and The Steiner Brothers. Although Sting eliminated him early, Super Invader's team won the match. By the end of 1992, he had left WCW.

On March 6, 2004, Hernandez passed away.