It is with great sadness in my heart as I learn of the passing of the Great Goliath. Goliath was my trainer, my mentor and most importantly he was my friend. I spent nine years with Goliath, where with my tag team partner Juan Hernandez and myself helped Goliath train some of the best talent Southern California has ever seen. Guys such as Bulldog Sampson, Tim Patterson, Bobby Bradley Jr. and Sr., Mike Lozanski, Black Steel, Rudy Luna, and so many countless others. I learned so much from Goliath, but mostly in my mind were the countless stories and adventures he had experiences throughout his career, it was always a pleasure hearing him and learning from him as we traveled on road trips or just sitting around at the old San Bernardino Arena.
I wish I could have told Goliath at least one more time how much he meant to me and how much I appreciated him and loved him. Goliath was like a father to me.
If Goliath had never existed half the wrestlers in Southern California would not be wrestling today. Tim Patterson is so right. Tim’s article about the Great Goliath was well written, and I also agree that Goliath should get voted into the Hall of Fame. No other wrestler has made such an impact in the Southern California scene as the Great “Pablo Crispin Ordaz” Goliath. The Great Goliath is once again in the company of who he gave credit for his training, and that was Gorila Ramos.
Gorila Ramos was a former professional boxer in Juarez Mexico who turned wrestler after finding out he was being put over on fights without his knowledge until he had to loose the title. He was disappointed and then went in to the wrestling profession, where he became a wrestler and promoter. Gorila had a training facility in Juarez. It was Pablo’s brother in law that introduced him to Gorila Ramos. Pablo at the time was a taxi driver in Juarez and was always wanting to get into wrestling. His brother in law also being a taxi driver had met the then famous Gorila Ramos and introduced Pablo to him.
The first time Pablo got in the ring with Gorilas wrestlers to train he was so roughed up that he was in bed for five days. He went back and it was then that they realized he had heart. then they showed him the ropes and started teaching him without hurting him. Shortly after at one of the events one of the guys didn’t show up to wrestle, and Goliath was asked to cover the spot. For that match Goliath got paid with a Coke for his match. Story is that Gorila Ramos was trying to come up with a name for Goliath, claiming it should be a sticky kind of name, and kidding around came up with El Kotex. Goliath used to laugh about those good old days of when he started. He also showed tremendous respect for Gorila Ramos. Gorila never charged him for training him. In exchange Goliath became Gorilas driver as he drove him to the bank or anywhere he needed to go, as Gorila also owned a Bar and other businesses in Juarez.
Years later. Mr. Moto traveled throughout Mexico to find a partner for Black Gordman as they felt that his then tag team partner Bull Ramos was not keeping up with the speed and ability that Gordman had. With that in mind he went looking for that one wrestler that could make the cut and become Black Gordman’s tag team partner. In Mexico Mr. Moto found a then young Great Goliath and brought him back to Los Angeles and the rest is history as they both became legends in Southern California holding the Americas Tag Team Title 18 times, besides becoming tag team champions and holding titles throughout Georgia and Texas.
God Bless you Goliath, and Rest In Peace.
Jesse Hernandez
wwww.jessehernandezwrestling.com
