Cassandro The Exotico!
Though he was born Saúl Armendáriz, for over thirty years, the world has known him as Cassandro. The former NWA World Welterweight and UWA World Lightweight Champion has broken down barriers in and out of the ring. As an openly gay exótico – a Mexican wrestling character-type that emphasizes flamboyance, camp, and femininity – Cassandro, through his phenomenal wrestling skills, challenging fans to consider exóticos as legitimate as any other luchadores in lucha libre. Cassandro’s journey into pro-wrestling history is captured in ‘Cassandro The Exotico!’ The documentary, from Marie Losier, is one part celebration of a wrestling icon and one part intimate examination of the sacrifices – physical, mental, and emotional – that he endured in order to live out his dream.
Cassandro is the Greatest Spectacle of All
Cassandro poses at The Greatest Spectacle of Lucha Libre in London, Britain in 2015. Cassandro has grown into a mentor role, as he travels around the world to conduct training seminars with, what he calls, his ‘lucha babies.’
Cassandro Is Ready For His Closeup
Cassandro poses for a close-up for his documentary, ‘Cassandro The Exotico!’ This shot is taken after Cassandro lost his trademark pompadour in a ‘Lucha de Apuestas’ match.
Cassandro’s Trademark Pose
‘A lot of people see me as an exótico leader, as an exótico goddess, that’s why I’m called, ‘the Liberace of Lucha Libre,’ and ‘The Exótico Queen,’ and other stuff, but I’ve been through a lot,’ Cassandro says in his documentary, ‘Cassandro The Exotico!’
Cassandro At Home
In “Cassandro The Exotico,’ the documentary focuses on Cassandro in the latter stage of his career. The film also celebrates his spirituality, which includes his reconnection to his Aztec Indian roots.
Cassandro In The Ring
It’s not an understatement to say that Cassandro is one of the most important figures in professional wrestling. As the first openly gay pro-wrestling champion, he blazed a trail for many LGBTQ+ performers.
