Black Panther is the former ring name of a Mexican luchador enmascarado (masked professional wrestler), now performing under the name Dark Panther, currently working for the Mexican professional wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). He portrays a técnico ("good guy") character.
Personal Life
Born in 1989 in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, his full given name is not a matter of public record, in accordance with lucha libre traditions where the true identity of masked wrestlers is kept private. He is the son of professional wrestler Genaro Vázquez Nevárez, better known as Blue Panther, and the brother of fellow wrestlers Blue Panther Jr. and Chachorro Lagunero. He is also a cousin of Jesús Toral López, known as Black Warrior.
Professional Wrestling Career
Early Career and Ring Name Evolution
Black Panther initially trained for wrestling without his father's knowledge and debuted under the masked character name "Silver." After his father discovered his son's involvement, he requested a name change. Over his career, he has used the following ring names:
- Silver (2011) – debut name
- Cachorro (2014) – Spanish for "Cub," his father's former ring name
- The Panther (2014–2018)
- Black Panther (2018–2021)
- Dark Panther (2021–present)
He was first introduced to the public as "Cachorro" during a show honoring his father's 35th anniversary as a wrestler in late 2013.
CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre)
He made his official CMLL debut on January 1, 2014, as one of 12 competitors in the 2014 La Copa Junior tournament. He and his brother (then wrestling as Black Panther) teamed with their father in a group called Los Divinos Laguneros ("The Divine from the Lagoon"), feuding with the Casas family.
In November 2014, he changed his ring name to "The Panther" and adopted a new mask. On December 19, 2015, The Panther and Guerrero Maya Jr. defeated La Comando Caribeño to win the CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship, his first CMLL championship.
In 2018, during an Arena México match, announcers began referring to him as "Black Panther," a name he adopted until 2021. In 2021, he changed his ring name to Dark Panther.
International Work
In January 2016, he made his Japanese debut as part of the Fantastica Mania 2016 tour, co-produced by CMLL and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). On November 3, 2016, he debuted for the U.S.-based Ring of Honor (ROH) promotion at their Survival of the Fittest event in Texas.
Championships and Accomplishments
- CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Guerrero Maya Jr.
Luchas de Apuestas Record
| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Panther (mask) | Súper Comando (mask) | Mexico City, Mexico | Infierno en el Ring | December 25, 2015 |
Notes
- Billed height: 1.77 m (5 ft 9½ in)
- Billed weight: 84 kg (185 lb)
- Trained by: Blue Panther, El Solar, Virus, Franco Columbo, and Último Guerrero
- He is known for his technical prowess, submission holds, and high-flying dives, earning him the nickname "El Rey del Tope" ("The King of the Dive").
