Introduction
Álvaro Meléndez Tibanez (February 19, 1949) is a retired Mexican Luchador (Spanish for professional wrestler), better known as Black Man. He was considererd a very talented wrestler, and innovative when it comes to high flying moves.
Professional wrestling career
He is most known for a being part of a tag team, first with White Man, Alberto Muñoz, who formed a fan favorite tag team. The two teamed for a while but never won a tag team title, despite several chances at the Arena Coliseo Tag Team Championship. By 1978 Muñoz dropped the "White Man" character as he was forced to work a reduced schedule due to age and injuries.
Later, Black Man would form Los Fantasticos with Kung Fu and Kato Kung Lee, a very popular trios team from the early 1980s. Black Man would later try to reform Los Fantasticos with Kendo and Avispon Negro, but the trio was never as popular as the originals. He was once El Santo's high risk move double in a movie. Late in his career he worked under the ring name Celestial, complete with a new mask and outfit to not reveal his real identity.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Black Man Special (Black man stands on the opponents back and pulls back his arm, in a fashion similar to a Fujiwara armbar) – innovated
- Signature moves
- Diving arm drag
- Salto Mortal (Back flip out of the corner as a counter) – innovated
- Tope con Giro
Championships and accomplishments
- Universal Wrestling Association
- UWA World Lightweight Championship (1 time)
- UWA World Trios Championship (1 time, first) – with Kung Fu and Kato Kung Lee
- UWA World Welterweight Championship (3 times)
- Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "Mexico: Universal Wrestling Federation Lightweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 400. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "Mexico: UWA Trios Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 399. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
- Duncan, Royal; Will, Gary (2000). "MEXICO: Universal Wrestling Federation Welterweight Title". Wrestling Title Histories. Archeus Communications. p. 397. ISBN 0-9698161-5-4.
Luchas de Apuestas record
| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. O'Borman (mask) | Spiderman (mask) | Tijuana, Baja California | Live event | 1966 | |
| Black Man (mask) | Demonio Azul (mask) | Unknown | Live event | April 7, 1977 | |
| Black Man and El Matemático (masks) | El Signo and Lobo Rubio (hair) | Naucalpan, State of Mexico | Live event | January 29, 1978 | |
| Black Man (mask) | Pantera Negra (hair) | Pachuca, Hidalgo | Live event | October 2, 1983 | |
| Blue Panther and Black Man (masks) | Las Sombras de Plata (masks) | Naucalpan, State of Mexico | Live event | November 20, 1984 | |
| Blue Panther (mask) | Black Man (mask) | Naucalpan, State of Mexico | Live event | February 16, 1986 | |
| El Brazo (hair) | Black Man (hair) | Naucalpan, State of Mexico | Live event | February 7, 1990 | |
| Black Man (hair) | Black Terry (hair) | Querétaro, Querétaro | Live event | October 30, 1990 | |
| Negro Casas (hair) | Black Man (hair) | Nezahualcoyotl, State of Mexico | Live event | February 5, 1991 | |
| Celestial (mask) | Demonio Arrieta (hair) | Mexico City, Mexico | Live event | June 4, 1992 | |
| Celestial (mask) | Pólvora (mask) | Querétaro, Querétaro | Live event | August 11, 1992 | |
| Super Delfin (mask) | Black Man (mask) | Tokyo, Japan | Live event | March 13, 1993 |