Jorge Ernesto Guzmán Rodríguez, a distinguished and celebrated Mexican luchador enmascarado, or masked professional wrestler, and influential political activist, hails from a storied wrestling dynasty.
Born into a family of renowned wrestlers, Guzmán is the youngest offspring of Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta, better known as El Santo, a legendary professional wrestler, accomplished film actor, and revered Mexican folk hero, whose illustrious career and enduring popularity have left an indelible mark on the world of lucha libre and beyond.
The esteemed Guzmán family boasts a profound and storied wrestling heritage, with patriarch El Santo, a luminary in the world of professional wrestling, having played a pivotal role in the evolution of lucha libre, a distinctive and captivating style of Mexican wrestling that has captivated audiences worldwide. Furthermore, Guzmán's uncles, Miguel "Black" Guzmán, a wrestler of exceptional skill and prowess, Jesús Guzmán, better known as the formidable Pantera Negra, and Jimmy Guzmán, a talented grappler in his own right, have all made significant contributions to the sport, thereby cementing the Guzmán family's reputation as a dynasty of wrestling excellence.
Third-generation wrestler Guzmán embarked on a illustrious career, commencing with his debut under the moniker "Santo Jr.", thereby honoring the esteemed legacies of his father and grandfather, both renowned figures in the world of wrestling. Subsequently, he opted to alter his ring name to El Korak, preceding his ultimate transformation into the illustrious El Hijo del Santo, a metamorphosis marked by his donning of the iconic silver mask, an emblem that has indelibly become associated with his inimitable persona.
Noted luchador, Guzmán has enjoyed a storied career, punctuated by stints with each of Mexico's premier wrestling promotions, including the esteemed Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, the influential Asistencia Asesoría y Administración, the revered Universal Wrestling Association, and the renowned World Wrestling Association.
In addition to his extensive work within Mexico's thriving wrestling landscape, Guzmán has also ventured north of the border, gracing the stages of WWE in the United States, and has made a significant impact in the Japanese professional wrestling scene, performing for the storied New Japan Pro-Wrestling, the legendary All Japan Pro-Wrestling, and various other prominent promotions.
Guzmán has collaborated with prominent wrestlers to form formidable tag teams, most notably with the late, great Eddie Guerrero and the highly accomplished Negro Casas.
Throughout his illustrious career, Guzmán has had the distinction of holding a multitude of prestigious championships, including the coveted AAA World Tag Team Championship, the esteemed Mexican National Middleweight Championship, the esteemed Mexican National Trios Championship, the esteemed Mexican National Welterweight Championship, the illustrious CMLL World Tag Team Championship, the highly respected UWA World Lightweight Championship, the highly respected UWA World Welterweight Championship, the esteemed WWA Tag Team Championship, and the esteemed WWA World Welterweight Championship.
Not only did Guzmán make a profound impact on the world of professional wrestling through his remarkable wrestling accomplishments, but he also left an indelible mark on the sport by claiming victory in a plethora of esteemed tournaments, including the esteemed Leyenda de Plata tournament, the highly coveted CMLL International Gran Prix tournament, and the prestigious Gran Alternativa tournament.
This illustrious career culminated in Guzmán's induction into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1997, a testament to his lasting legacy and enduring influence on the world of professional wrestling.
Jorge Guzmán's family legacy is a remarkable and ongoing phenomenon, with his son, Jorge Guzmán Jr., now also pursuing a career as a professional wrestler, thereby perpetuating a tradition that spans generations.
The Guzmán family's impact on the world of lucha libre is a powerful testament to their unwavering dedication, unrelenting passion, and steadfast commitment to the sport, a commitment that has yielded a lasting and enduring legacy that continues to grow and flourish.
