Who is Sangriento?

In my previous post, I blogged that TNA Wrestling has a new masked Mexican wrestler by the name of Sangriento. At the time of my post, I really could not find much about this masked warrior. But as more details came about, I realized something very interesting about this whole matter.

For starters, this wrestler is billed from Tijuana, Mexico (and not Tiguana, Mexico as I first typed the previous blog, but later changed it; thanks to Joseph Hepp for that one). So one would think he is an authentic luchador, right...WRONG. It turns out that is wrestler is just playing a gimmick. Sangriento, originally known as Amazing Red in TNA Wrestling until his recent change in character, was billed from Brooklyn, New York. Nowhere near Mexico (by the way, I learned that in social studies class back in elementary school).

As ewrestlingnews.com is reporting, the reason for this change is because of one man, Sin Cara.

According to the website, "Sangriento was brainstormed by Spike TV officials as they wanted TNA to introduce a character that would counteract Sin Cara of WWE. TNA considered various independent wrestlers for the role but decided on Amazing Red."

So the secret comes out, TNA is trying to compete with the WWE. Ok it's not much of a secret, but the fact of the matter is that they are trying to become as successful as the WWE is. But there is one flaw, at least in this incident. They should try to get a luchador from Mexico rather than turning one of their own into one.

Granted Amazing Red is from Puerto Rico, but the point is they are lazy. Why not try to get someone with roots tied to lucha libre? Why not have some talent personnel scout luchadors in Mexico to enhance your product or hire someone to do that?

There is a reason for all this. They want a piece of the Hispanic viewership in wrestling. They see the success the WWE has had with the likes of Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara; and they want a piece of the pie. When you look at the roster of TNA, there are a couple of wrestlers who have ties to Mexico; but the problem is none of them are big names.

I guess the company is hoping with the emergence of a wrestler like Sangriento, it will bring more Spanish viewers to their product. After all, he has won a couple of titles while he was under the character of Amazing Red (one-time NWA world tag team champion and three-time X Division champion).

But only time will time if this move will garner more Hispanic viewership or if it would have been better to bring in someone from Mexico to fill in that spot...

On another note, in case some of you didn't catch it, check out the video below of Sin Cara teaming up with John Cena from last week's Monday Night Raw. And this time, no botch from Sin Cara while entering the ring.

*Photo courtesy of unifiedwrestling.com*



-Christopher J. Valverde

Follow me on Twitter: @xfactor7806