Former Mexican wrestler, trainer, and booker Franco Colombo had died, a figure who spent over forty-five years in the business.
Colombo – real name Javier Esparza Coronado – died on Sunday, according to a post by his niece Yadira Esparza:
Today, a legend passed away, my uncle Javier Esparza Coronado. I ask for your prayers for the whole family. My uncle was very loved by everyone. When we were little, we enjoyed taking walks together as a family. God has called him to his side; he is now with my father in heaven. We will always remember you, Uncle. Say hi to everyone who has gone before us.
Coronado was born on August 11, 1953, sharing the same date of birth as Hulk Hogan, in Guadalajara.
He was trained by the legendary Diablo Velasco (Cuauhtemoc Velasco), a man responsible for training Mil Mascaras, Perro Aguayo, Gory Guerrero, El Satanico, Atlantis, Blue Demon, Rayo de Jalisco Sr. & Jr., El Solitario, Cien Caras, and so many others. Coronado would debut in 1975 in San Luis Potosí and was believed to have been given the Franco Colombo name by his training and tag partner, Américo Rocca, because of his resemblance to the famous bodybuilder of the same name.
Due to his looks, it was an easy sell for Colombo to put his hair on the line, and he did so frequently. His first Lucha de Apuestas does not list dates but states that Colombo lost his hair to Dr. O’Borman and Gran Cochisse (another influential trainer)
In 1977, he made his way to Mexico City and wrestled for EMmLL. In November 1980, he unseated Américo Rocca to become the Mexican National Welterweight champion. Colombo was a replacement for Kung Fu after a management dispute and became champion for several months until February 1, 1981, dropping the belt to El Supremo.
In January 1982, Colombo took the hair of Guerrero Negro in Puebla, six months later he teamed with Águila Solitaria with the duo unmasking Cid Campeador and shaving the head of Ari Romero. Then, in July, he took the hair of Divino Roy.
Perhaps the most famous match of his career occurred on August 17, 1982, in Mexico City at Arena Coliseo. Colombo’s hair was on the line, and partner El Faisán put his mask up for grabs in a double Apuestas match with Pánico and Manuel Robles. The two referees were Eddie Palau and Roberto Rangel, and both executed a three-count, leaving it disputed as to who won the final fall. It is believed that Palau made the mistake, and in Lucha, a no-contest would result in all four giving up their mask or hair.
From Ernesto Ocampo of Super Luchas:
Because the crowd was getting aggressive, Colombo had no choice but to accept having his head shaved, while El Faisán had to unmask himself.
The next day, all those involved were summoned to the Boxing and Wrestling Commission, where Rafael Barradas, after reading Commissioner Monterrubios’ report, ordered that Robles shave his head and Pánico unmask himself, so at the next show Robles arrived with hair, while Pánico removed his mask sitting in one of the corners.
Colombo lost his hair several more times to Jerry Estrada in July 1983, to Hombre Verde in March 1984, and three times to Javier Cruz between 1984 and 1986.
His in-ring career ended later that decade (likely accelerated by a major back injury), and he remained with EMLL as a trainer and a booker for Paco Alonso alongside Pánico, José Luis Feliciano, and Edgar Noriega. Colombo had a direct role in booking shows for Arena Mexico and Arena Coliseo.
As a trainer, he helped with future stars Atlantis Jr., Rush, Dragon Lee, and Dralistico since they were children.
Some places list Colombo as the uncle of the Muñoz brothers and brother to La Bestia del Ring, but they are not believed to be related by blood.
The end of his role at CMLL occurred during the pandemic when the promotion offered to cut his salary in half, but Colombo opted to retire.
Additional reading and viewing:
– Interview with Franco Colombo in 2022 (La Tijera Lucha Libre)
– Interview with Colombo from 2025 (Arte De Gotch)
