Chamuel (wrestler)

Chamuel
Artist rendition of the mask Chamuel wore until he lost it in September 2019.
Personal information
BornJosé Francisco García Cruz
(1993-08-12) August 12, 1993[1]
Texmelucan, Puebla, Mexico[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring nameChamuel
Billed height1.28 m (4 ft 2 in)[1]
Debut2012

José Francisco García Cruz (born August 12, 1993) is a Mexican professional wrestler, who works under the ring name Chamuel. He works for the Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), where he portrays a heel (known as a rudo in lucha libre, the antagonists of professional wrestling). He is one of the competitors in CMLL's Micro-Estrella ("Micro-Star") division, where he competes with and against other wrestlers with dwarfism. His ring name is based on Camael, the archangel of strength, courage and war from Christian and Jewish mythology.

From his debut in 2012 until 2017, he worked primarily on the Mexican independent circuit as a mascota and with occasional tag team partner Henry, portraying an "evil doll" in the style of Chucky. In 2017, he joined CMLL, and in 2019, he lost his mask to Microman at the CMLL 86th Anniversary Show. He is the first holder of the CMLL World Micro-Estrella Championship.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2012–2017)

Chamuel made his professional wrestling début in 2012, working as the tag team partner of regular-sized wrestler Henry. The two portrayed a masked monster/doll duo, with Chamuel initially wearing a mask resembling a ventriloquist's dummy,[2] which was later changed to an evil clown mask.[3] In his first recorded match, Chamuel and Henry teamed up with Monsther and Chucky to defeat Gran Alebrije, Pequeño Cuije, Don Pollo and Pollito.[4] By 2012, Chamuel regularly worked for the local promotion in Pachuca. On February 21, Chamuel defeated Chucky in a Lucha de Apuestas ("bet match") that saw him win the evil doll's mask.[5] Two months later, he won the mask of Gallito Feliz.[6] In July, he was one of eight men risking their mask on the outcome of a steel cage match, but kept his mask safe by escaping the cage early.[7] In October, Chamuel won the hair of El Loquito in a three-way match that also included Mostruolin.[8] Chamuel ended 2012 by surviving another steel cage match with his mask, watching as The Medic's II was unmasked at the end of the match.[9]

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (2017–present)

In mid-2017, Chamuel was hired by Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) to be part of their newly created "Micro-Estrellas" (Micro Stars) division.[10] In his debut, Chamuel teamed up with Mije, only to lose to Microman and El Gallito.[11] For the first anniversary of the Micro-Estrellas division, CMLL held an eight-micros torneo cibernetico elimination match, featuring the entire active Micro-Estrella division at the time.[12] Chamuel teamed up with Angelito, El Gallito and Mije to take on Microman, Atomo, Guapito and Zacarías el Perico. In the end, Microman pinned Chamuel to win the tournament.[13]

Following the anniversary, Microman and Chamuel began a long-running storyline feud, which often saw Chamuel either tear Microman's mask open or steal it during a match. The Micro-Estrellas made their début at a major CMLL show on November 11, 2018, when Microman, Atomo and Gallito defeated Chamuel, Mije and Zacarías two falls to one at Día de Muertos ("Day of the Dead").[14][15] In a rematch at Homenaje a Dos Leyendas ("Homage to Two Legends") on March 15, 2019, Microman's team was victorious over Chamuel's.[16] The Microman/Chamuel feud led to the first one-on-one match in the Micro division on August 30, as part of CMLL's International Gran Prix. Chamuel lost via disqualification for throwing his mask to Microman in an attempt to deceive the referee.[17][18] The feud between the two led to a mask vs. mask Lucha de Apuestas at the CMLL 86th Anniversary Show on September 27, marking the first time in 32 years that two "Micros" had a Lucha de Apuestas.[1] Microman won the third and deciding fall, forcing Chamuel to unmask and reveal his real name, per lucha libre traditions.[19][20]

On December 25, 2019, Chamuel outlasted Microman, El Gallito, Guapito, Zacarías and Átomo in a torneo cibernetico to win the newly created CMLL World Micro-Estrellas Championship, lastly eliminating Microman.[21] At the CMLL 87th Anniversary Show on September 25, 2020, he made his first successful title defense against Microman.[22] Chamuel retained the title against Micro Gemelo Diablo I on March 15, 2022,[23] only to lose it in a rematch on October 30.[24] He failed to regain the title from Micro Gemalo Diablo I on May 31, 2024.[25] On April 16, 2026, Chamuel participated in CMLL's first standalone event in the United States at Palms Slam Fest, teaming with Tengu in a loss to KeMalito and Periquito Sacaryas.[26]

Independent circuit (2017–present)

While working for CMLL, Chamuel, like all CMLL wrestlers, is allowed to take independent circuit bookings on days he is not needed by the company. Chamuel's independent circuit appearances usually sees him team with, and face off against, other CMLL Micro-Estrellas. On September 15, 2018, Microman, and Gallito defeated Chamuel and Zacarías in a match at the Benito Juarez ExpoMuseo in Mexico City.[27] The Micro-Estrellas also made a special appearance for The Crash Lucha Libre, one of Mexico's largest independent promotions, with Microman and Gallito once again defeating Chamuel and Zacarías in their March 2, 2019 match.[28]

Reception

While the CMLL 86th Anniversary Show, in general, was given mediocre reviews the match between Micro Man and Chamuel was well received. Richard Gallegos of the Voices of Wrestling stated that "Microman and Chamuel saved the night with their fantastic Apuestas Match",[29] and a Cage Side Seats review named it the "match of the night".[30]

Championships and accomplishments

Luchas de Apuestas record

Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Chamuel (mask)Chucky (mask)Pachuca, Hidalgo, MexicoArena Aficion showFebruary 21, 2012[5]
Chamuel (mask)Gallito Feliz (mask)Pachuca, Hidalgo, MexicoArena Aficion showApril 10, 2012[6]
Chamuel (mask)El Loquito (hair)Pachuca, Hidalgo, MexicoArena Aficion showOctober 2, 2012[8]
Microman (mask)Chamuel (mask)Mexico CityCMLL 86th Anniversary ShowSeptember 27, 2019[19]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Cuéllar, Manuel (September 26, 2019). "Luchadores Micro, camino al estrellato" [Micro wrestlers, on the road to stardom]. Reporte Indigo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 4, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Henry y Chamuel reaparecen en EAW" [Henry and Chamuel reappear in EAW]. MedioTiempo (in Spanish). October 2, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Henry y Chamuel vs. Súper Pollo y Pollito" [Henry and Chamuel vs. Super Chicken and Chicken Little]. MedioTiempo (in Spanish). October 27, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  4. ↑ "EAW". CageMatch. March 19, 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Wrestling in Pachuca". CageMatch. February 21, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Wrestling in Pachuca". CageMatch. April 10, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Wrestling in Pachuca". CageMatch. July 24, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  8. 1 2 "Wrestling in Pachuca". CageMatch. October 2, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Wrestling in Pachuca". CageMatch. December 25, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Meet Microman, the pint sized wrestler leading a 'lucha libre' revolution in Mexico". The Telegraph. Agence France-Presse. September 28, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  11. ↑ Dark Angelita (August 11, 2017). "CMLL: Una mirada semanal al CMLL (del 3 al 9 de agosto de 2017)" [CMLL: A weekly look at CMLL (August 3–9, 2017)]. Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  12. ↑ Janowitz, Nathaniel (July 19, 2018). "Little people in the 'lucha libre' are the main event". ESPN. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  13. ↑ "CMLL Domingos Arena Mexico". CageMatch. April 29, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  14. ↑ Rosas Plata, Arturo (November 3, 2018). "Sansón, bicampeón del inframundo" [Sansón, double champion of the underworld]. Ovaciones (in Spanish). Archived from the original on November 4, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Sansón se mantuvo como Rey del Inframundo en el CMLL" [Sansón remained King of the Underworld in the CMLL]. MedioTiempo (in Spanish). MSN. November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  16. ↑ Cardoso, Javier (March 16, 2019). "Los Ingobernables pierden las cabelleras ante los Chávez" [The Ingobernables lose their hair to the Chávez family]. Marca Claro (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  17. ↑ Rosas Plata, Arturo (August 31, 2019). "Volador se roba el triunfo" [Volador stole his triumpth]. Ovaciones (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 16, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  18. ↑ Lizarranga, Alfonso (August 31, 2019). "Volador Jr. por segunda ocasión ganador del Grand Prix" [Volador Jr. wins the Grand Prix for the second time]. The Gladiatores (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  19. 1 2 Ocampo, Ernesto (September 27, 2019). "CMLL Aniversario 86 (27 de septiembre 2019) | Resultados en vivo | 7 cabelleras en juego" [CMLL 86th Anniversary (September 27, 2019) | Live results | 7 scalps at play]. Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  20. ↑ Valdés, Apolo (September 27, 2019). "¡Pequeña gran lucha! Microman desenmascaró a Chamuel en Aniversario del CMLL" [A small but great fight! Microman unmasked Chamuel at the CMLL Anniversary show]. MedioTiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  21. 1 2 "Resultados – Miercoles Arena Mexico ®" [Chamuel is the first Micro-estrella world champion] (in Spanish). Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. December 25, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019. -¡Chamuel es el primer Campeón Mundial de los Microestrellas!
  22. ↑ "Resultados: 87 Aniversario CMLL" [Results: CMLL 87th Anniversary] (in Spanish). Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. September 30, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Stigma, nuevo campeón mundial del CMLL" [Stigma, new CMLL world champion]. Excélsior (in Spanish). March 16, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  24. ↑ Valdés, Apolo (October 31, 2022). "Micro Gemelo Diablo I, nuevo campeón de la división" [Micro Gemelo Diablo I, new champion of the division]. Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  25. ↑ "¡Se enciende la rivalidad: Místico vs Magnus!" [The rivalry ignites: Mystic vs Magnus!] (in Spanish). Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. May 31, 2024. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  26. ↑ Michaels, Corey (April 16, 2026). "CMLL Slamfest live results: Mistico & Templario vs. Hechicero & Angel de Oro". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  27. ↑ "ExpoMuseo". CageMatch. September 15, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  28. ↑ "The Crash". CageMatch. March 2, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  29. ↑ Gallegos, Richard (September 29, 2019). "CMLL 86th Aniversario (September 27) results & review". Voices of Wrestling. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  30. ↑ Has Pizzazz, Manolo (September 28, 2019). "CMLL 86th Anniversary review: Negro Casas lost his hair in a seven luchador cage match". Cage Side Seats. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
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