1. Octavio Gaona was a Mexican Luchador, or professional wrestler, known for his participation in the first ever high profile Lucha de Apuesta, or wager fight, against Murcielago Velazquez.
11 Facts About Octavio Gaona
1. 2.
Octavio Gaona's son, adopted son, grandson and great grandson have all or are all professional wrestlers.
3.
Octavio Gaona made his professional wrestling debut in 1934, wrestling for various small promoters in Guanajuato and surrounding states.
4.
On February 6,1937, Octavio Gaona defeated Black Guzman to win the vacant Mexican National Middleweight Championship.
5.
Octavio Gaona held the title until September 2,1938, where Firpo Segra won it but would regain it on January 1,1939.
6.
On February 4,1940, Octavio Gaona lost the Championships to Tarzan Lopez.
7.
Shortly after the title loss, Octavio Gaona took part in one of the most pivotal events in Lucha Libre as he took part of the very first Lucha de Apuesta match.
8.
Since Velazquez was so much lighter than Gaona he requested a further condition before he would sign the contract: Octavio Gaona would have to put his hair on the line as well, creating the first match in Mexico where a two wrestlers "bet" either their hair or their mask.
9.
On July 14,1940, Octavio Gaona defeated Murcielago Velazquez, forcing him to unmask after the match in what would become a Lucha Libre tradition.
10.
Octavio Gaona adopted Francisco Ruiz Arreola, who would wrestle under the name "Tamba", nicknamed "the Flying Elephant".
11.
Octavio Gaona came out of retirement in 1972, at 70 years old, defeating Tamba in a Lucha de Apuesta match to unmask him.