8 Most Underrated Texas Wrestlers
6. Ricky Romero
A name that will no doubt be unfamiliar to many, Ricky Romero was one of the most popular wrestlers in the southwestern United States and Mexico in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The man dubbed 'SuperMex', who would often hand out miniature sombreros to fans at ringside, had a very successfully career spanning around fifty years.
Romero began his career in 1955 and wrestled pretty much everywhere. Although he was born in San Bernardino, California, Romero moved to Amarillo in 1958 - with the help of Dory Funk Sr. - and it was in Texas that he enjoyed incredible success.
As the first hispanic wrestler in the area he broke down racial barriers and became a genuine star, especially being embraced by the large hispanic community. Every major name from those days, Romero wrestled him, from Terry Funk and Gorgeous George to Lou Thesz and Jack Brisco.
He was such a draw in the Rocky Mountain area of Colorado, New Mexico and Texas that Dory Sr. had to invent a title to give him, the Rocky Mountain Title. That's when you know you're over, kids.
Romero also enjoyed success working for Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba in All Japan Pro Wrestling in the late 1970s. It wasn't under his real name, though; in order to portray a villain, Baba had Romero wear a mask (in order to hide his good looks, supposedly) and dubbed him 'Mexico Grande'.
Ricky retired in 1985 following the death of his son, Steven Romero, who wrestled for the NWA as Jay Youngblood, the one time tag partner of Ricky Steamboat. SuperMex died in 2006 as a result of complications from Diabetes at the age of 74.
He was a hell of a worker in his day, wrestling a fast-paced style that few employed. He was also, importantly, a huge star in the Lone Star State. Try finding anything about him on WWE.com, though...