Black Tiger has a lengthy legacy in professional wrestling. The original character made its debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as an opponent for the legendary Tiger Mask and has prominently been used in the promotion since the 1980s.
It’s rare that Black Tiger is seen outside of New Japan but the current pro wrestling landscape has allowed figures and characters to pop up in companies around the world. The latest incarnation of Black Tiger (who was previously known as Magnus) performs in Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and has made appearances with Major League Wrestling (MLW). He’s the ninth version of the figure.
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Black Tiger told OutKick Dropkick in a recent interview that representing the legendary Lucha Libre figure was important for reasons bigger than him.
“It’s very important because it’s not just about me. It’s my company, CMLL, but I also have the opportunity to be Black Tiger,” he said. “At some point, I need to represent my culture, Lucha Libre in CMLL, but also I need to represent New Japan Pro-Wrestling. I need to work hard to explain to the world and to explain to the people, not just in the arena, but around the world because everybody knows now MLW has different ways to see every event.
“I think it’s very important to always be in the gym, always train because it’s not just my culture. I am a second-generation pro wrestler. So, I need to represent my company, my legacy, New Japan, all the Black Tigers since the very first Black Tiger like Mark Rocco, Eddie Guerrero. Big, big names in this business. It’s difficult, but for me, always, MLW, CMLL, New Japan, have a special place in my heart. I need to always be ready for the opportunity.”
Black Tiger is one half of the tag team known as Los Depredadores with Rugido. The two hold the Mexican National Tag Team Championship in CMLL. Having the belt raises the prestige of Black Tiger but he knows there’s still a lot of work to do to make the figure a household name in pro wrestling circles.
He has big plans for that part.
“I want to do everything,” he said. “For me, the first step is to get the Black Tiger name around the world, in the best companies. Now, it’s different because we have internet or different apps to see wrestling. For me, step by step, I try to make the Black Tiger name (known) around the world. I already been in UK, Japan, the States. I would like to be in, maybe, Canada or maybe Australia. I don’t know.
“I just want to make the name bigger. The last Black Tigers are good wrestlers – Rocky Romero, Eddie Guerrero – but maybe they have a bigger name not as Black Tiger. Maybe as Black Tiger, they only work in Japan. But for me, I would like to be around the world with this name. I’m sure I’m going to make it – little by little, step by step.”
Getting to the casual pro wrestling fan is on Black Tiger’s list as well.
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The average person may not exactly be in tune with the historical lore of Japanese pro wrestling or Lucha Libre. Black Tiger said he was aware of that and hoped to be able to showcase parts of the character’s past that have helped shape it today.
“I need to bring a little bit of every Black Tiger,” he told OutKick Dropkick. “Sometimes, in some matches, just get the style of the first Black Tiger, sometimes the No. 3 Black Tiger and also, at some point, for sure, I need to explain to the world who I am. My own style. It’s a little difficult but not impossible. It’s just little by little. I’m grateful to New Japan because they trust me.
“Now, I just need to work hard just to explain who I am. I have the capacity to be in the sky and the stars with the biggest names in the business.”
When he was known as Magnus, he appeared on several MLW shows and even took part in last year’s Battle Riot. He and Rugido once held the MLW Tag Team Championship for 55 days in 2025.
But as Black Tiger, he’s ready to make more of an impact on the MLW roster and leave a lasting legacy that spans three different countries and three different companies.
The journey begins Saturday night when Black Tiger and Ultimo Guerrero take on Templario and Titan in a tag team match at MLW’s Saturday Night SuperFight. The pay-per-view can be seen on Veeps and begins at 8 p.m. ET.