Pantera Azul (RLS CAS)

Azul performing at a PRIZE show in Dublin in 2019.

**Pantera Azul** is a Mexican wrestler most recently attached to PRIZE Wrestling League, having elected to leave Exhibition Wrestling: Mexico following PRIZE's takeover by WCE. He is one half of the tag-team **Los Panteras**, along with Pantera Rojo.

## Career

### Exhibition Wrestling: Mexico (2017-2019)

Azul debuted alongside Rojo in EW:M, being specifically trained by them for the Los Panteras gimmick. They were used mainly as heels, appearing in puffs of red and blue smoke to replace other teams in matches and intimidate opponents.

EW were very protective of the identities of the duo, a trait they passed on to them**1**, and in the kayfabe of the promotion they were considered demonic and unsanctioned.

They left EW in 2019 when agreeing to a contract takeover by WCE, making them exclusive performers of the Wrestling Council of Europe.

### WCE/PRIZE Wrestling League (2018-2020)

Los Panteras would debut in PRIZE Wrestling League, while still under EW contract, on the first episode of PRIZE Fights, losing in controversial circumstances to Majesty (Scott Hudson & Tony Price), with Azul distracted while his partner was rolled up for the pin. A couple of weeks later they met again, with Majesty getting a taste of their own medicine and Los Panteras picking up the win.

They defeated the Tag Team Champions, Kings of Wrestling, in a non-title match on PRIZE Fights, which led to a meeting for the title at Walk The Talk 2018, which they lost when Azul passed out in the Choker submission of Faisal Khan. They'd hint at continuing the feud on the next PRIZE Fights, appearing on the stage to congratulate the champs on defeating Invasion. Azul would defeat Khan in a singles match on the next episode. Rojo would, unfortunately, suffer an injury around this time, keeping him out for some time**2**.

Having been used mainly as a foil to the Kings of Wrestling, Azul found himself in new territory under WCE, being chosen to compete in the tournament to crown the new WCE Welterweight Champion. Watched on by Rojo, he bested Pro Wrestling Atom invite Cid Destini before falling to Dempsey.

They returned to active tag competition in the WCE Tag Team Championship tournament, held on AXL, Wrestling upLOUD! and Pro Wrestling Atom cards. They defeated Samuel & Bower on AXL before losing to Ukralia. The team would return to tag team competition on PRIZE programming at the end of May 2019, winning by DQ against WCE Tag Team Champions CrossBones.

Azul would continue to participate as a singles competitor around this time, too, taking part in the WCE Welterweight Championship Ladder match at Up Front 2019, which Cid Destini won. The duo would continue to feature together on programming, despite this singles run. They'd defeat the WCE Tag Team Champions CrossBones in a non-title match on Championship Wrestling, leading to a championship match between the teams that Los Panteras would win in October 2019.

As the COVID pandemic worsened, the duo returned to Mexico, with WCE and PRIZE confirming their release in March 2020 and vacating the championships as a result**3**.

### Indy scene (2021-*present*)

The duo would return to Britain in July 2021, being confirmed for the returning Indy Wrestling Lives show in August, after UNION Wrestling pulled their talent from participation**4**.

## In-Wrestling

### Signatures

**Running Neckbreaker**

**Tilt-a-Whirl Headscissor**

### Finishers

**Salpicadura de Pantera** *(Frog Splash, either from top rope or springboard)*

## Trivia

* PRIZE apparently wanted to introduce a third member of the group, Pantera Verde, but accepted the group's concerns that it would cheapen their gimmick**5** and that the chosen wrestler, rumoured to be former UNION Wrestling talent Almavacia, had already had his identity confirmed to the public.

## Behind-the-Scenes/Notes

1. In truth, I just haven't ever gotten round to writing up the backstory for the pair that I traditionally do for my CAWs. Luckily, it fit the Mexican wrestling tradition, so I'm happy to leave it that way.
2. The injury was invented after the fact to somewhat explain the gap in their appearances.
3. Another small retcon, as I'd already moved on from PRIZE altogether by this point. I did consider using Azul & Rojo again in 2K20, though.
4. I may recreate them for the last hurrah on 2K20 before 2K22. After that, I think I'll consider them dormant, however.
5. I actually made the Green Panther... and felt, personally, that it did indeed cheapen the gimmick. I might still- eventually- introduce him and a fourth as "pretenders" for them to conquer.