In 2012, the International Film Festival of Acapulco made a tribute a The Ghost y The Son of the Saint for 70 and 30 years of career, respectively.
But who really is this athlete who is recognized as the most popular fighter in the world?
It is not uncommon to see that it is commemorated Rodolfo Guzman Huerta, commonly known as The Saint, el legendary mexican wrestler which popularized the sport for five decades and gained cult status around the world.
He helped fuel the growth and reputation of wrestling around the world, and thanks to his distinctive personalities and vibrant costumes, the sport appeals to both wrestling and pop culture fans.
Source: Movie Posters Mexico
But what is not known is that The Ghost he was possibly the most hated fighter of the 1940s. Since his debut on July 26, 1942, in which he was disqualified for excessive rudeness, he was a fighter who received nothing but hate from the audience, and maintained a great rivalry with Tarzan Lopez.
On June 6, 1947, his legend began to forge more strongly, since he faced for the first time Black Shadow, a fighter who was on the rise, and who was the brother of another gladiator who would later maintain a great rivalry with The Saint, Blue Demon.
So it was that the silver masked man began to collect fantasy reliefs.
In 1950, with the birth of television in Mexico, the strength of his legend was even faster, and through his appearance in movies and as the subject of many comics, he became a cultural icon, representing justice and justice. fight against evil.
One of his most popular movies was Vampire Women of 1962, in which he is asked to The Ghost to rescue a teacher's daughter who has been kidnapped by vampires.
In total the wrestler made 52 movies, four of which were dubbed into English for wider release.
Upon jumping to the screen, the fighter created movie classics, and his most economically successful film, The Mummies of Guanajuato, in which the other legendary fighters also co-starred Blue demon y Thousand masks. he marked a before and after in his career, since he became a world idol, also with a great presence in United States y Japan.
Guzmán took the name of The Ghost after reading the novel Alexandre Dumas, The man in the iron mask, and was inspired by the prisoner in the story who was forced to wear a cloth mask made of black velvet.
Throughout his career, he was a part of iconic movies and fights, as well as making legendary pairings with other sports legends such as Gori Guerrerheard the CavemanFurthermore, he was a leader in the new heyday of the Mexican struggle with the opening of the majestic new Arena Mexico in April 1956. He fought and co-starred in the most emblematic moments of wrestling alongside fighters like the Rayo de Jalisco, Lou Thesz, René Guajardo, Solitaire, Fishman, Dr. Wagner y White angel, among others.
It wasn't until 1984, two years after he officially retired from the ring, that he finally revealed his identity in Counterpoint, a Mexican talk show.
A week later, El Enmascarado de Plata, or the man in the silver mask, died after suffering a heart attack while performing on stage. His funeral was one of the largest in the history of Mexico, which was attended by family, friends and his many fans. As he wished, he was buried next to his silver mask.
Legend has it that Rodolfo never took off his silver mask even at home and had a special mask to eat. He went to great lengths to protect his identity, particularly when he traveled.
Thus, and briefly explained, The Ghost he was more than just a fighter; he was a Mexican hero who not only raised the reputation of wrestling, but was immortalized as a Latin symbol of power and heroism.
His brand has been adapted to different media, from comics to cartoons, and his work continues to influence the way sport intertwines with entertainment.
