Lucha Libre Legend Villano III Passes Away
Lucha Libre lost one of the biggest names this week.
On Tuesday, news broke that Arturo Díaz Mendoza (also known as Villano III) passed away. He worked for many promotions in Mexico, the United States, and Japan. He won championships at the two biggest Lucha Libre promotions in Mexico in CMLL and AAA. He also spent time as WWF Light Heavyweight Champion when the Championship was being contested in UWA in Mexico. He held that title seven times in the 1980s and 1990s.
The following is the condolences sent by CMLL on Twitter.
Mendoza is a part of one of the most famous families in Lucha Libre. His father was a professional wrestling in Mexico from the 1950s to 1980s and Mendoza’s four brothers were also part of the Villano group with him. His son is currently wrestling as Villano III Jr.
Mendoza has wrestled as recently as 2017 and held a AAA Trios Championship in 2015.
