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Hercules Ayala


Title History

 

  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Puerto Rican Heavyweight title defeating Spoiler I [Tournament] (February 21, 1976);
  • WWC North American Tag Team titles w/Victor Jovica defeating Higo Hamaguchi & Gordon Nelson (December 4, 1976);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Puerto Rican Heavyweight title defeating Hurricane Castillo (June 18, 1977);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Caribbean Heavyweight title defeating Hurricane Castillo (November 26, 1977);
  • Stampede International Tag Team titles w/Jim Neidhart defeating Mr. Sakurada & Kasavudu (September 27, 1980);
  • NWA (Texas) World Tag Team titles w/Ali Mustafa Awarded (January ??, 1981);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) World Tag Team titles w/King Tonga defeating Super Medicos (January 6, 1984);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Puerto Rican Heavyweight title defeating Terry Gibbs (June 14, 1984);
  • EWU (South Africa) World Super Heavyweight title defeating Jan Wilkens (October 6, 1984);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) North American Heavyweight title defeating Randy Savage (March 2, 1985);
  • IWA (Montreal) International Heavyweight title defeating David Shultz (January 19, 1987);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Caribbean Heavyweight title defeating Abdullah the Butcher (March 28, 1987);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Universal Heavyweight title defeating Carlos Colon (July 18, 1987);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Universal Heavyweight title defeating Carlos Colon (February 13, 1988);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Universal Heavyweight title defeating Carlos Colon (July 23, 1988);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Puerto Rican Heavyweight title defeating Ricky Santana (December 17, 1988);
  • AWF (Puerto Rico) Tag Team titles w/Invader 4 defeating Solid Gold (March 14, 1992);
  • AWF (Puerto Rico) Heavyweight title defeating Crash the Terminator (June 6, 1992);
  • WWC (World Wrestling Council) Puerto Rican Heavyweight title defeating Ray Gonzalez (March 9, 2002);

 

Career Highlights

In The Beginning:

  • Hercules took the name “Ayala” because it was his mother’s maiden name..
  • Hercules Ayala, living in Boston, began working out and met wrestler Angelo Savoldi, who trained him..
  • Hercules Ayala debuted in the World Wide Wrestling Federation..World Wrestling Council:
  • Early 70s: Hercules Ayala returned to his native Puerto Rico to work for Capital Sports Promotion, better known as WWC..
  • ~~~Hercules Ayala made a shocking heel turn on Carlos Colon and feuded with him..Stampede Wrestling:
  • 1977: Hercules Ayala met Bret Hart & Dynamite Kid while on tour in Germany, Ayala was soon booked in Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling..
  • ~~~Hercules Ayala agreed to a six month run, but ended up staying eight years!
  • ~~~Hercules Ayala left Stampede just before the WWF expanded and bought the promotion..
  • ~~~Hercules Ayala was often billed as ‘The Strongest Man in Wrestling’..
  • ~~~Hercules Ayala met his wife, Susan, while working for Stampede, who was from Edmonton, Alberta..WWC + Eastern Canada:
  • March 1985: Hercules Ayala defeated Randy Savage to win the WWC North American title..
  • Hercules Ayala also did a couple of tours of duty for the Atlantic Grand Prix circuit, as Hercules Ayala Cortez (not the original)..
  • January 1987: Hercules Ayala defeated Dr. D. David Shultz for Montreal’s International Wrestling title..
  • ~~~Hercules Ayala would eventually lose the title to Abdullah the Butcher..
  • 1988: Hercules Ayala was in the ‘heel’ dressing room when Bruiser Brodywas killed (in the ‘face’ locker room) in Puerto Rico..Retirement:
  • Ruben & Susan Cruz now live in Edmonton with their two daughters, who have dual citizenship..
  • Ruben, who is a landed immigrant in Canada, also has a son from a previous relationship in Puerto Rico..

 

Updated:

Trained By

Angelo Savoldi

Debut

Birthday

July 14, 1950 in Puerto Rico

Hometown

Originally from Puerto Rico
Moved Boston, Mass
Settled in Edmonton, ALB

Gender

Height

6'1"

Weight

265lbs

Finishing Move(s)

Favorite Move(s)

Notable Feuds

Carlos Colon
Abdullah the Butcher

Status