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Wrestler: Tito Santana
Real Name: Merced Solis
Birthday: May 10, 1953
Hometown: Originally from Mission, Texas
Billed from Tocula, Mexico
Now lives in Roxbury, New Jersey
Marital Status: Married
Height & Weight: 6'2" - 234 lbs
Trained by: Hiro Matsuda (1977)
Debut:
Previous Names: Richard Blood (Debut)
El Matador (WWF)
Finishing Move: Flying Forearm
Figure Four
Favorite Moves: Drop Kicks
Arm Drags
Flying Head-scissors
Notable Feuds: The Valiant Brothers
Nick Bockwinkel
Greg Valentine
Don Muraco
Paul Orndorff
Randy Savage
Danny Davis
The Hart Foundation
Demolition
Rick Martel
Warlord
Shawn Michaels
Bob Orton (AWF)

  • NWA (Amarillo) Western States Tag Team titles w/Ted DiBiase defeating Mr. Pogo & Mr. Sato (????, 1979);
  • WWF Tag Team titles w/Ivan Putski defeating Jerry & Johnny Valiant (October 22, 1979);
  • PWI (Pro-Wrestling Illustrated) Achievement Awards Tag Team of the Year w/Ivan Putski (1979);
  • WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title defeating Don Muraco (February 11, 1984);
  • WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title defeating Greg Valentine (July 6, 1985);
  • WWF World Tag Team titles w/Rick Martel defeating Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart (October 27, 1987);
  • WWF (World Wrestling Federation) King of the Ring 1989;
  • ECW (Eastern Championship Wrestling) Heavyweight title defeating Don Muraco (August 8, 1993);
  • IWCCW (New England) Heavyweight title defeating Greg Valentine (February 9, 1994);
  • AWF (American Wrestling Federation) Heavyweight title defeating Bob Orton Jr. [Tournament] (November 29, 1994);
  • AWF (American Wrestling Federation) Heavyweight title defeating Bob Orton Jr. (October 5, 1996);
  • USAP (USA Pro) Heavyweight title defeating Bob Orton Jr. to become 1st champion (December 7, 1996);
  • EWA (Empire Wrestling Alliance) Heavyweight title defeating ????? (June 2, 2000);
  • IWA Heavyweight title defeating Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (August 27, 2005);
  • IAW Television title defeating Andy Chene (July 8, 2006);
  • Renegade Wrestling Alliance title ();
  • NSWA (Michigan) Heavyweight title ();


  • In The Beginning:
  • Tito Santana is a former pro football player with the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) and BC Lions (CFL)..
  • Tito Santana began his wrestling career in Texas..
  • Tito Santana once wrestled as "Richard Blood", which is Ricky Steamboat's REAL name..
  • Tito Santana moved to the AWA after a few years and received several AWA World title shots against Nick Bockwinkel..
  • February 15, 1979 - NWA: Tito Santana & Ted DiBiase beat Akio Sato & Mr. Pogo for the NWA Western States Tag Team titles..

    World Wide Wrestling Federation:
  • Tito Santana jumped to Vince McMahon Sr's northeast World Wide Wrestling Federation promotion..
  • October 22, 1979 - MSG: Tito Santana & Ivan Putski defeated Jimmy & Jerry Valiant for the WWWF Tag Team titles..
  • January 1, 1980 WWF Wrestling: Hulk Hogan defeated Tito Santana.
  • April 12, 1980: The Wild Samoans dethrone Tito Santana & Ivan Putski for the Tag Team titles..

    AWA & Georgia:
  • Tito Santana returned to the AWA to re-persue his quest to win the AWA World title..
  • Tito Santana also had a brief run in the Georgia territory..

    World Wrestling Federation:
  • Late 1983: Tito Santana signed a WWF contract with Vince McMahon Jr. as the WWF were preparing to go national..
  • January 21, 1984: WWF Champion The Iron Sheik vs. Tito Santana ended in a Double Disqualification..
  • February 11, 1984: Tito Santana defeated "Magnificent" Don Muraco to win the Intercontinental title!
  • July 23, 1984 MSG - The Brawl to End it All: Tito Santana defeated "Cowboy" Bob Orton to retain..
  • Tito Santana and Greg Valentine become involved in an historic feud over the Intercontinental title..
  • September 24, 1984: Greg Valentine defeated Tito Santana to win the WWF Intercontinental title..
  • WrestleMania I: Tito Santana defeated the Executioner (Buddy Rose) in the first match of Wrestlemania history!
  • July 7 1985: Tito Santana defeated Greg Valentine in a classic Steel Cage match to recapture the IC title!
  • ~~~After the match, Greg Valentine damaged the Intercontinental belt by smashing it against the cage..
  • ~~~This was to allow the WWF to create a new IC championship belt which was around for 13 years!
  • July 8, 1985 - King of the Ring: Tito Santana defeated Terry Funk in the 1st Round of the Tournament..
  • ~~~Tito Santana defeated Jim Brunzel (2nd Round) | The Iron Sheik defeated Tito Santana in the Finals..
  • October 31, 1985 - Saturday Night Main Event: "Macho Man" Randy Savage defeated Tito Santana by Countout..
  • November 7, 1985 - Wrestling Classic: Tito Santana defeated "Magnificent" Don Muraco..
  • February 8, 1986 - Boston Garden: Randy Savage defeated Tito Santana to win the IC title by using brass knux!
  • WrestleMania II: Terry & Hoss (Dory) Funk defeated Junk Yard Dog & Tito Santana in a tag team match..
  • February 21, 1987 - Saturday Night Main Event: The Hart Foundation defeated Tito Santana & Dan Spivey to retain..
  • WrestleMania III: The Hart Foundation & "Dangerous" Danny Davis defeated The British Bulldogs & Tito Santana..
  • August 28, 1987 - Paul Boesch Retirement Show: Tito Santana & Mil Mascaras defeated Demolition..
  • September 4, 1997 - King of the Ring: Danny Davis defeated Tito Santana in the 1st Round of the Tournament..

    World Wrestling Federation - Strike Force:
  • Tito Santana joined forced with Rick Martel (abandoned by Tom Zenk) to form the team known as Strike Force..
  • October 27, 1987 - Superstars of Wrestling: Strike Force defeated The Hart Foundation to win the WWF Tag Team titles!
  • Survivor Series 1987: Strike Force led a 10-man team to defeat a team captained by the Hart Foundation..
  • ~~~Team Strike Force: Strike Force, the Bulldogs, the Killer Bees, the Young Stallions, and the Rougeaus Bros..
  • ~~~Team Hart Foundation: The Hart Foundation, Demolition, the Islanders, the Dream Team, and the Bolsheviks..
  • ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Killer Bees & The Young Stallions were the survivors of the elimination match..
  • December 7, 1987 - Saturday Night Main Event: Strike Force defeated the Bolsheviks to retain the WWF Tag Team titles..
  • Royal Rumble 1988: Tito Santana drew number 2 in the first ever Royal Rumble (Bret Hart drew number 1)..
  • February 5, 1988 - The Main Event: Strike Force defeated the Hart Foundation to retain the WWF Tag Team titles..
  • WrestleMania IV: Demolition (Ax & Smash) defeated Strike Force to win the WWF Tag Team titles..

    World Wrestling Federation - Tito Santana:
  • Tito Santana resumed his solo career after Rick Martel was injured after an attack from Demolition..
  • Survivor Series 1988: The Heenan Family w/Bobby Heenan defeated a team if babyface wrestlers..
  • ~~~The Good Guys = Tito Santana & Jake Roberts & Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Ken Patera & Scott Casey..
  • ~~~The Heenan Family = Andre The Giant & Dino Bravo & Rick Rude & Mr. Perfect & Harley Race..
  • December 7, 1988 - Saturday Night Main Event: Tito Santana defeated the Red Rooster (Terry Taylor)..
  • Royal Rumble 1989: Tito Santana entered the Royal Rumble at #12..
  • WrestleMania V: Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson defeated Strike Force (reunion) when Rick Martel walked out on Tito Santana!

    World Wrestling Federation - Tito Santana vs. Rick Martel:
  • Rick Martel became known as "the Model" and took Slick on as his manager and began feuding with Tito Santana..
  • SummerSlam 1989: Rick Martel & The Fabulous Rougeau Brothers defeated Tito Santana & The Rockers in a six man tag..
  • October 14, 1989 - King of the Ring: Tito Santana defeated Bad New Brown in the 1st Round of the Tournament..
  • ~~~Tito defeated Warlord (2nd Round) | Tito defeated Akeem (3rd Round) | Tito defeated Rick Martel in the Finals!..
  • Survivor Series 1989: The Dream Team defeated The Enforcers in an Elimination Match..
  • ~~~The Dream Team = Dusty Rhodes & Tito Santana & The Red Rooster & Brutus Beefcake..
  • ~~~The Enforcers = The Big Bossman & Rick Martel & Bad News Brown & The Honky Tonk Man..
  • Royal Rumble 1990: Tito Santana entered the Royal Rumble at #23..
  • WrestleMania VI: The Barbarian defeated Tito Santana..
  • April 23, 1990 - Superstars of Wrestling: Mr. Perfect defeated Tito Santana in a tournament final to win the IC title..
  • July 16, 1990 - Saturday Night Main Event: Mr. Perfect defeated Tito Santana to retain the WWF Intercontinental title..
  • SummerSlam 1990: The Warlord defeated Tito Santana..
  • October 30, 1990 - The Main Event: Rick Martel defeated Tito Santana..
  • Survivor Series 1990: The Alliance defeated The Mercenaries in an Elimination match..
  • ~~~The Alliance = Nikolai Volkoff & Tito Santana & The Bushwhackers (Luke & Butch)..
  • ~~~The Mercenaries = Sgt. Slaughter & Boris Zhukov & The Orient Express (Kato & Tanaka)..
  • ~~~~~~~~~~Tito Santana was the sole survivor and advanced to the final survivors match..
  • ~~~Tito Santana/Ultimate Warrior/Hulk Hogan defeated DiBiase/Martel/Warlord/Roma/Hercules..
  • ~~~Tito Santana eliminated Warlord within 28 seconds buts was later eliminated himself..
  • Royal Rumble 1991: Tito Santana entered the Royal Rumble at #11..
  • WrestleMania VII: The Mountie (Jacques Rougeau) defeated Tito Santana..
  • April 15, 1991 - Saturday Night Main Event: The Mountie defeated Tito Santana..

    World Wrestling Federation - El Matador:
  • 1991: Tito Santana adopted the gimmick "El Matador," a mexican bull fighter through a series of vignettes..
  • September 30, 1991--WWF Superstars Taping: "El Matador" Tito Santana ("El Matador" debut) defeated Bob Bradley.
  • October 1, 1991--WWF Superstars: "El Matador" Tito Santana defeated Pat Tanaka of the Orient Express.
  • October 3, 1991 - WWF at Royal Albert Hall: Ric Flair defeated Tito Santana (Tito competed in a Battle Royal later)..
  • October 5, 1991 WWF Superstars: "El Matador" Tito Santana defeated The Undertaker w/Paul Bearer.
  • October 21, 1991 WWF Superstars: "El Matador" Tito Santana defeated The Barbarian.
  • October 28, 1991 WWF Superstars: "El Matador" Tito Santana defeated Hercules.
  • November 11, 1991 WWF Superstars: Ted DiBiase w/Sensational Serri defeated Virgil to win the Million Dollar Title..
  • ~~~After the match; The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase attacked Virgil until "El Matador" Tito Santana made the save..
  • Survivor Series 1991: Jim Duggan's Team defeated Hercules' Team in a clean sweap..
  • ~~~Jim Duggan's Team = Jim Duggan & Sgt. Slaughter & El Matador & Kerry von Erich..
  • ~~~Hercules' Team = Hercules & Col. Mustafa (Iron Sheik) & The Berzerker & Skinner..
  • December 3, 1991 - Tuesday Night In Texas: Ted DiBiase & Repo Man defeated Tito Santana & Virgil..
  • Royal Rumble 1992: "El Matador" Tito Santana entered the Royal Rumble at #7..
  • WrestleMania VIII: Shawn Michaels defeated Tito Santana in the opening match..

    Eastern Championship Wrestling & The WWF:
  • ECW August 8, 1992: Tito Santana defeated Don Muraco for the ECW Heavyweight title..
  • SummerSlam 1992: Papa Shango defeated Tito Santana in a non-televised dark match..
  • ECW September 9, 1992: Shane Douglas wins the ECW title by forfeit when Tito Santana fails to defend..
  • Royal Rumble 1993: Tito Santana entered the Royal Rumble at #25..
  • WrestleMania IX: Tito Santana defeated Papa Shango in a non-televised dark match..
  • April 25, 1993 - European Rampage: Doink defeated Tito Santana..
  • Tito Santana's WWF wrestling career comes to an end..

    The Indies, and Starting the American Wrestling Federation:
  • Tito Santana appeared on the independent circuit with such promotions as:
  • ~~~Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling, the Renegade Wrestling Alliance and the United States Wrestling Federation..
  • 1996: Tito Santana opened the American Wrestling Federation and signed many former WWF & WCW Wrestlers..
  • 1996: Tito Santana won the AWF World title, lost it to Bob Orton, but won it back in the rematch..

    Retirement:
  • 1997: Tito Santana returned to the WWF and joined the Spanish Announcing Team..
  • January 10, 2000 - WCW Monday Nitro: Tito Santana makes a one-time appearance in WCW defeating Jeff Jarrett in a Dungeon Match!
  • Tito Santana now owns a hair salon in Roxbury, New Jersey and is also a Physical Education & Spanish Teacher..

    Independent Wrestling:
  • November 8, 2003--Virginia Championship Wrestling: Tito Santana (at the age of 50) defeated Wallace Stillhammer..
  • ~~~Tito Santana was then honored in a special ceremony which included Nickolai Volkoff, Ivan Koloff and Larry Zbyszko..
  • March 12, 2004--East Coast Pro Wrestling: Tito Santana defeated The Executioner (not Buddy Rose)..

    WWE Hall of Fame:
  • March 13, 2004 - WWE: Tito Santana is inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during a ceremony in New York City!
  • March 14, 2004 - Wrestlemania XX: Tito Santana is honored with all the other Hall of Fame inductees during the Pay Per View..

    2005: Independent Wrestling (National Wrestling Superstars):
  • April 23, 2005--National Wrestling Superstars: Tito Santana defeated Sal Sincere..
  • May 14, 2005--National Wrestling Superstars: Tito Santana defeated Kevin Knight in Bloomfield, New Jersey..
  • July 16, 2005--National Wrestling Superstars: Tito Santana defeated Kevin Knight in Allentown, Pennsylvania..
  • August 27, 2005--WrestleReunion: Tito Santana defeated Greg Valentine to win the IWA title...
  • September 10, 2005--Wrestle Reunion: Greg Valentine beat Tito Santana to win the IWA title when Jimmy Hart threw in Brass Knux..
  • November 11, 2005--Ted DiBiase's Power Wrestling Alliance: Tito Santana & Jim Duggan beat Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake..

    2006: Independent Wrestling (National Wrestling Superstars):
  • January 13, 2006--ECWA: Tito Santana defeated Arch Kincaid.....
  • February 25, 2006--IWF: Tito Santana & Fred Sampson & Dan McGuire defeated Kevin Knight & Shawn Donovan & Travis Blake..
  • April 22, 2006--New York Wrestling Connection: Spyder & Tito Santana defeated Stockade & King Kong Bundy..
  • April 29, 2006--Connecticut Championship Wrestling: Tito Santana defeated Romeo Roselli w/Talia Doll..
  • May 13, 2006--National Wrestling Superstars: Tito Santana defeated Hasheem Ali..
  • May 20, 2006--National Wrestling Superstars: Tito Santana defeated Simon Diamond. ..
  • June 10, 2006--Southern Championship Wrestling: Tito Santana beat Greg "The Hammer" Valentine...
  • July 8, 2006--IAW Clash at the Cove 8: Tito Santana defeated Andy Chene to win the IAW Television title..
  • July 27, 2006--Legends of Wrestling: Tito Santana defeated Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake w/Jim Chadwick..
  • August 9, 2006--National Wrestling Superstars: Jay Santana & Tito Santana defeated Corvis Fear & Jo-Jo...
  • September 10, 2006--Maryland Championship Wrestling: The Slackers & Tito Santana beat Phat Blues Security & Buck
  • September 24, 2006--Pro Wrestling Xtreme: Tito Santana defeated Jessy Jones by Submission..
  • September 29, 2006--Top Rope Promotions: Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka vs Tito Santana ended in a No Contest....
  • September 30, 2006--National Wrestling Superstars: Tito Santana defeated King Kaluha..
  • October 7, 2006--WCWA: Tito Santana w/Tammy Sytch vs Greg "The Hammer" Valentine ended in a Double Countout..
  • October 13, 2006--NWS: Tito Santana defeated "Mr. Motion" Shane Taylor w/King Boy Du I Stinq..
  • October 14, 2006--National Wrestling Superstars: Tito Santana defeated Johnny Candido.....
  • November 4, 2006--NCW: Tito Santana defeated Sal Sincere (Tom Brandi) in York, Pennsylvania..
  • November 11, 2006--All Out Mayhem Wrestling: Tito Santana defeated Palmer Canon in Machias, Maine..
  • December 1, 2006--NWS: Tito Santana & Jay Santana defeated The Baghdad Bullies (TNT & Saddam Insane) ..
  • December 8, 2006--Great Lakes Championship Wrestling: Tito Santana & El Vato beat Angel Armani & Scorpion
  • December 9, 2006--Great Lakes Championship Wrestling: Tito Santana & El Vato beat Matt Longtime & Mason Quinn

    2007: Independent Wrestling (National Wrestling Superstars):
  • March 24, 2007--Int'l Wrestling Cartel: Tito Santana w/Ivan Putski defeated Greg "Hammer" Valentine w/Larry Sweeney..
  • April 14, 2007--National Wrestling Superstars: Tito Santana defeated Kevin Matthews
  • May 27, 2007--Bad News Allen Tribute Show: Tito Santana vs. Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart ended in a Double Countout
  • July 14, 2007--The League (debut show): Tito Santana defeated Greg "The Hammer" Valentine in London, Ontario..
  • August 18, 2007--National Wrestling Superstars: Tito Santana defeated Danny Demanto (w/King Ran-sid Akhbar Idu Stinq)...
  • August 18, 2007--IWF: Tito Santana & Tony Torres & Kevin Knight defeated Franciz & Travis Blake & Aaron Stride
  • August 19, 2007--IWF: Tito Santana & Biggie Biggs & Antonio Rivera beat Justin Corino & Frank Scoleri & Bryan Harley
  • September 30, 2007--East Coast Pro Wrestling: Tito Santana defeated Robert Roode in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

    2008: Independent Wrestling (National Wrestling Superstars):
  • March 14, 2008--Top Rope Promotions: Johnny Angel & Tito Santana defeated The Stroke (Gregory Edwards & Ryan Waters)..
  • August 1, 2008--National Wrestling Superstars: Tito Santana defeated Danny Demanto..
  • August 3, 2008--XICW: Tito Santana defeated Eddie Venom by Disqualification in Detroit, Michigan...
  • November 7, 2008--USWF: Tito Santana defeated Danny Davis in Malden Massachusetts..
  • November 8, 2008--BTW: Tito Santana & Doink defeated The Brain Surgeons in Webster, Massachusetts..
  • November 14, 2008--BTW: Tito Santana vs Rasche "Skullkrusher" Brown in Waukesha, Wisconsin...
  • January 24, 2009--ECPW: Tito Santana defeated Kodiak Bear in Brooklyn, New York..
  • November 14, 2009 National Wrestling Superstars: "El Matador" Tito Santana w/guest manager The Bernardsville Hardware Hunk defeated "Dastardly" Danny Doring w/King Ran-sid Akhbar Idu Stinq & bodyguard Kevin Matthews by submission.
  • December 12, 2009--National Wrestling Superstars: "El Matador" Tito Santana defeated Kevin Matthews
  • September 25, 2010--International Wrestling Cartel: Tito Santana defeated Bubba the Bulldog..
  • December 11, 2010--In Your Face Wrestling: Tito Santana & Vigo defeated Pierre Vachon & Maxx Burton in Sarasota Springs, New York..
  • January 29, 2011--Pro Wrestling Guerrilla: Tito Santana participated in a Legends Wrestle-Royale in Los Angeles, California..


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