TL;DR:
Yaqui Joe, born José Francisco Carlos Close, was a key figure in the birth of professional wrestling in Mexico. He participated in the very first event organized by the Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (now CMLL) in 1933 and became the first National Middleweight Champion. While his exact birthplace remains uncertain—possibly Guaymas, Sonora or Cuchillo Parado, Chihuahua—his legacy as a trailblazer of lucha libre is undisputed.
When we talk about the early days of lucha libre in Mexico, few names are as important—and as overlooked—as Yaqui Joe. Born José Francisco Carlos Close, he played a historic role in shaping the spectacle, style, and symbolism of Mexican wrestling as we know it today.
On September 21, 1933, Yaqui Joe stepped into the ring during the first official wrestling event organized by the Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL), now known as CMLL. Facing off against American wrestler Bobby Sampson, Yaqui Joe’s victory electrified the crowd and marked the rise of a Mexican icon in a sport that would soon sweep the nation.
🏆 First National Champion
Shortly after his debut, Yaqui Joe was crowned the first National Middleweight Champion, solidifying his status as one of the most skilled and respected wrestlers of his era. He was known for his powerful legs and signature flying body scissors, a move that combined technique, agility, and spectacle—a perfect fit for the new era of lucha libre.
📍 A Legacy Larger Than Origins
While most sources list Chihuahua—possibly the town of Cuchillo Parado—as his birthplace, others, including archival footage from Televisa and materials from CMLL, suggest he may have been born in Guaymas, Sonora. The truth remains unclear, but what is certain is that his stage name, Yaqui Joe, proudly referenced the Indigenous Yaqui people, highlighting his cultural identity and adding depth to his in-ring persona.
🎥 Preserved in History
Yaqui Joe’s contributions have been highlighted in CMLL anniversary specials and Televisa’s video archives, which pay tribute to his pioneering role in Mexican wrestling. Yet, outside these circles, his name is often overshadowed by later legends like El Santo or Blue Demon.
💥 Why He Matters Today
At a time when lucha libre was still finding its voice, Yaqui Joe stood for discipline, pride, and national dignity. Wrestling against foreign opponents in both Mexico and the U.S., he represented a Mexican presence that was not only competitive—but dominant.
