Hall of Fame luchador Villano V passes away

Villano V — a member of the legendary Mendoza wrestling family — has passed away at 62 years old. His death was confirmed by CMLL with the promotion issuing a statement on Thursday sending its condolences to the family and friends of Villano V (Ray Mendoza Jr.). In their statement, CMLL called Villano V a great figure in Mexican wrestling history and a member of one of its greatest dynasties. Along with his four brothers, Villano V was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame as Los Villanos in 2022. Their father Ray Mendoza was a lucha libre icon and part of the inaugural Observer Hall of Fame class of 1996. Villano V made his pro wrestling debut as a teenager in the 1970s. In 2008, he was part of one of the best matches of the year when he headlined CMLL’s 75th Anniversary Show by defeating Blue Panther in a mask vs. mask match. He worked for WCW in the 1990s with Villano IV, who is now the only surviving Villano brother. Lucha Libre AAA issued a statement extending its condolences to V