On Saturday morning, July 5, 2014, Southern California professional wrestling lost a real treasure. Andrew Gilbert Yanez, born July 1, 1950, was better known to wrestling fans of the west coast as El Suavecito. Yanez was an Army veteran who proudly fought in the Vietnam war and was even held as a POW. He was known all over the west coast as a top notch referee, and worked with all the superstars of the US and Mexico. He worked with Hijo de Santo, Dr Wagner, Konan, La Parka, Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, and John Cena. In the 90’s he served as the Commissioner of Boxing and Wrestling in Mexicali. After stepping away from refereeing, he worked the west coast circuit managing the team of La Ola Del Mal, his managing career culminating in guiding Black Metal to the Empire Wrestling Federation Championship in October of 2008. Since his retirement from appearing on wrestling events, he has done a lot of work for Jesse Hernandez’s School of Hark Knocks, where he has been inspiring and advising younger wrestlers learning to be part of this great business. Services for Suavecito will be held at Arlington Mortuary at 9645 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA on Tuesday, July 15th at 10am. He will be laid to rest following the services at 12 noon at Riverside National Cemetery.
RIP El Suavecito Andrew Gilbert Yanez
