Kalisto (wrestler)

Kalisto
Kalisto as the United States Champion in 2016
Birth nameEmanuel Alejandro Rodriguez
Born (1986-11-14) November 14, 1986 (age 38)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Spouse(s)Abigail Rodriguez
Websitewww.samuraydelsol.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Kalisto[1]
Octagón Jr.[2]
Samuray[3]
Samuray del Sol[4]
Billed height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[4][5][6]
Billed weight170 lb (77 kg)[5]
Billed fromPilsen, Illinois[6][7]
Mexico City[5]
Trained byBilly Gunn[8]
Dusty Rhodes[8]
Gran Apache[9]
Norman Smiley[8]
Sara Amato[8]
Windy City Pro Wrestling[9]
Debut2006[4]

Emanuel Alejandro Rodriguez (born November 14, 1986) is a Mexican-American professional wrestler, currently performing on the independent circuit under the ring name Samuray Del Sol. He is best known for his time in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Kalisto, as a member of both the Lucha Dragons (whom he won the NXT Tag Team Championship as a member, with Sin Cara) and Lucha House Party.

In 2006, Rodriguez made his professional wrestling debut on the Midwestern United States independent circuit, working under a mask and the ring name Samuray del Sol (Spanish for "Samurai of the Sun"). After establishing himself as one of the top high-flyers in the area, he began working for larger promotions in 2011 and was signed by Dragon Gate USA in 2012. The same year, he made his debut for Mexican promotion AAA, where, in November, he was repackaged as Octagón Jr., the storyline protégé of well-known luchador Octagón. He has also worked for Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA-MS), National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Evolve Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG).

In May 2013, he signed with WWE and was assigned to their developmental territory NXT, where he was renamed Kalisto. In September 2014, Kalisto won the NXT Tag Team Championship alongside Sin Cara, as a part of the Lucha Dragons. In February 2015, Kalisto was promoted to WWE's main roster, where he won the WWE United States Championship twice and the Cruiserweight Championship once. In early 2018, he formed a stable with fellow luchadors Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado, calling themselves Lucha House Party. He then separated from the group in late 2020, before being released from the company in April 2021.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference KalistoPWI was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference AAAOctagonJr was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference GALLIChamp was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference CZW was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b c "Kalisto". WWE. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Samuray del Sol". Southside Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 2, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  7. ^ "Samuray del Sol". AAW: Professional Wrestling Redefined. Archived from the original on April 23, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference NextGreatLuchadorPage2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference F4D was invoked but never defined (see the help page).