José Díaz Velázquez (July 6, 1929 – April 16, 2003), better known by his ring name Ray Mendoza, was a Mexican luchador (or professional wrestler).

After working for Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL), Mendoza had great success in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he was a five-time World Light Heavyweight Champion, as well as the first Mexican to hold the championship.

In 1975, he helped establish Universal Wrestling Association (UWA), with Francisco Flores and Benjamín Mora Jr. During his many title reigns, Mendoza faced many present or future stars, such as Gran Hamada, Killer Kowalski, John Tolos, El Solitario, Fishman, René Guajardo, Gory Guerrero, El Santo, and Cavernario Galindo.

José Díaz Velazquez was born on July 6, 1929, and grew up in the Tepito district of Mexico City, a very poor and violent neighborhood.

Díaz never finished any formal education as he had to start earning a living at a very early age to support himself and his wife Lupita Mendoza, whom he married when he was just 15 years old.

[2] In 1956, Mendoza began working for Salvador Lutteroth's Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre (EMLL), the world's oldest and Mexico's largest wrestling promotion.

He made his debut at EMLL's main arena Arena Coliseo in February 1956 in a battle royal that also included EMLL headliners Gory Guerrero, El Santo, Cavernario Galindo, Blue Demon and Black Shadow, a match that immediately established him as someone who Lutteroth saw potential in.

Matches between Mendoza, Guajardo and Lagarde drew full houses all over Mexico, including a record breaking show where Guajardo defeated Mendoza in a Lucha de Apuesta match, the show drew the largest gate of that year and one of the best gates in Mexico in the 1960s.

[6] Mendoza also spent a lot of time guiding the careers of his three youngest sons Villano I, II, and III who were quickly gaining fame in the UWA.

He would later work as a referee for special UWA matches, adding to the "big event" feel by having Mendoza oversee the action.

[7] Mendoza was originally adamant that his sons get a good education instead of becoming wrestlers, wishing that they become lawyers or doctors as he wanted to spare them the physical suffering he experienced himself.

[1] His funeral was held two days later and was attended by over 100 people, longtime friends and luchadors who grew up admiring Ray Mendoza's in-ring exploits paid their last respect.

[2] In 2010, CMLL honored Ray Mendoza's memory at their annual Homenaje a Dos Leyendas ("Homage to two legends") show on March 19, 2010.