| Ray Mendoza | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | José Díaz Velázquez |
| Born | July 6, 1929 Mexico City, Mexico |
| Died | April 16, 2003 (aged 73)[1] |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Chato Ortiz "Indio" Mendoza El Hombre del Rayo Rojo El Rayo Rojo Gargantua Ray Mendoza |
| Billed height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Billed weight | 100 kg (220 lb) |
| Trained by | Juan Espinoza (boxing) Ray Carrasco Rogelio de la Paz Genaro Contreas Raul Rojas Daniel García |
| Debut | 1954 |
| Retired | 1983 |
José Díaz Velázquez (July 6, 1929 – April 16, 2003) was a Mexican Luchador, or professional wrestler, better known under his ring name Ray Mendoza. Diaz had great success in the National Wrestling Alliance, where he was a five time World Light Heavyweight Champion, as well as the first Mexican to hold the championship. In 1975, Diaz helped establish Universal Wrestling Association with Francisco Flores and Benjamín Mora. During his many title reigns, Diaz faced many present or future stars, such as Gran Hamada, Killer Kowalski, John Tolos, El Solitario, Fishman, René Guajardo, Gory Guerrero, El Santo, and Cavernario Galindo. After retiring, Diaz became an actor and appeared in several Mexican films. Mendoza was the father of Los Villanos, Villano I, Villano II. Villano III, Villano IV, and Villano V.
- ^ Centinela, Teddy (April 16, 2015). "En un día como hoy… 1989: Fallece Villano II — 2003: Fallece Ray Mendoza". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved July 1, 2015.