Miguel Pérez (wrestler)

Miguel José Pérez (April 7, 1937 – July 16, 2005) was a Puerto Rican professional wrestler who was best known for his tag team with Antonino Rocca.

He debuted on October 15, 1954 and wrestled for Montreal Athletic Commission in his early days.

In 1957, Pérez formed a tag team with popular wrestling star Antonino Rocca.

Pérez and Rocca captured the NWA World Tag Team Championship and were the first recognized champions in the ancestry of Capitol Wrestling Corporation, now known as WWE.

Some of his matches include 1964 wins over Lou Bastein, Lou Albano, and Bull Johnson; draws with Tony Marino, and then Red Bastein; with Pedro Morales teamed to lose to U.S. tagteam champs Dr. Jerry and Crazy Luke Graham, but came back to defeat Magnificent Maurice and Klondike Bill.

He left the WWWF in April 1968 and went to Florida until leaving the territory in October 1968. he took a hiatus from wrestling.

They both together captured the WWC North American Tag Team Championship on September 11, 1976 by defeating Los Infernos.

After this, he retired for four years as a professional wrestler until he returned at WWC Anniversary on September 17, 1983, at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico to take on Barrabas and defeated him.

Miguel Pérez was posthumously honored at the 50th anniversary show of the World Wrestling Council.