Before SoCalUNCENSORED even had an opportunity to post about the passing of FMLL Promoter Rocky Roman. Charles Mercury, Bart Kapitzke, and Jesse Hernandez took to Facebook to share his thoughts and allowed us to share.
Just got word that lucha libre promoter Rocky Roman has passed away. I want to thank him for giving me a chance to prove myself and entertain ppl on the same shows as lucha legends like Mil Mascaras, Blue Demon Jr., Blue Panther and all these crazy names from Mexico. I remember I was probably about 20 when I met Rocky. I was scared shitless. It was the first time I got booked on his shows and I was riding w another worker from San Diego. We were driving up from another show the day before and the guy from San Diego needed to go to LAX first for some reason. Little something about the rental car. I was cool with it as long as we would get to the venue on time. Again, It was our first booking there. We get to LAX and the little something about the rental car turned into a big something and we didn’t get out of there and back on the freeway for about another hour. Calltime for the show was 5 maybe, show started at 6. it was now 6:30 and we were just leaving the airport! The guy that got us the bookings was blowing up my phone. Our match was originally scheduled to go on 2’nd. Then third. Then fourth. Finally, we get to the venue. We are on next, my gear is still in my luggage and we have nothing planned. Lucha Libre is different from American pro wrestling in that matches are 2 out of 3 rounds- or falls as they are called. So that means were going 45 minutes with nothing but the finish to each of the falls. We ended up tearing the roof off that place! The crowds at Rocky’s shows were some of the absolute best crowds to work in front of and were some of my best memories… even if Black Métal was always kicking my ass back in those days. Thank you Rocky. Rest In Peace.
-Charles Mercury
Last night i was informed of Rocky’s passing from Luchador BLACK METAL. He told me what Santo had posted. I must say i was totally hoping it wasn’t true, but i waited to find out more and was so sad to hear that it was true.
I met rocky in 1998 in Compton when I was with Martin Marin and the WPW crew. I sold Lucha libre and ECW merchandise that night. Rocky ended up giving me a ride home from Compton to the City of Orange. On that ride home we talked future business (pre-FMLL and pre-AWS). Even though we were both already involved, we were still thinking of ways to get bigger and better. That night was the start of a long time business relationship and friendship.
We were always able to talk to each other on ideas and plans. I finally gave a name to what i was doing. AWS and Rocky came up with FMLL. Over the early years together we did many promotional autograph sessions at the AWS shop and helped also promote the FMLL events. Rocky brought to us so many top names in LUCHA LIBRE (Mascara Sagrada,Tinieblas Jr., La Parka, Mil Mascaras, Dos Caras, Felino, Super Parka, Blue Panther, Dr.Wagner, Mistico, Atlantis, Blue Demon, Fishman jr, etc.) Together we always talked about who would be good to bring out to Los Angeles. Then in march of 2002 Rocky and myself promoted the first ever AWS event there at the Frank and Son Collectibles Show featuring; LA PARKA, SHOCKER, MR. AGULIA, PILOTO SUICIDA, SUPER BOY. We also did the second show there together, then parted ways. In this business being a promoter and even we as just people make mistakes and we learn from the everyday. Although we had our mis-understandings a few times over the years, i must give rocky major credit for always coming back to fix a problem and to move on. To me he’s a true stand up guy and friend. We did many more things together and I was looking forward to again doing some business with my old friend now that I’m back in California and re-started AWS.
Rocky my friend, I am glad to have met you, worked with you, been upset with you, and became your friend. On the behalf of Louie, Pat Hoed, Christian, Danny of the o.g. AWS shop and myself, we are sad that you are gone, you will be missed, never forgotten. You did so much for LOS ANGELES LUCHA LIBRE. Good bye homie.
-Bart Kapitzke
Still saddened by the loss of FMLL promoter Rocky Roman. Rocky’s love for our business allowed him the opportunity to bring joy to his fans who followed his product, and allowed young wrestlers to gain experience in the squared circle. Sometimes as promoters we are loved and hated by many. It is so hard to make all the boys and girls in our business happy, although we do what we do for the love of doing it, and as long as our fans at the end of the night go home happy then we have done our job. To the Roman family “Thank you” for allowing Rocky to follow his dream and to continue to living his life the only way he wanted to live it. Promoting is a very hard job and takes a lot off of you. He could have taken it easy and slowed down since his health was not at it’s best. He instead chose to live his life his way. RIP Rocky. I wish I could have told you all this while you were still with us. My faith however tells me you now know that we all love you Brother
-Jesse Hernandez
If you’d like to share your thoughts on Rocky please post them on our SoCal Lucha Forum here.
