From Wikipedia: Santo died from a heart attack (during a stage show he was putting on) on February 5, 1984, at 9:40 p.m., a week after his Contrapunto TV appearance.
Thanks for acknowledging El Santo, he's one the biggest names in México history:) His birthday was a couple of days ago, it would've been his 99 birthday
What was it that hid his true kayfabe ID from you, his using the classic Hulkster entrance theme, using all the classic Hulster moves or that he was doing it in a flashy Lucha Libre mask and costume? :P
kane's unmasking was so impact full for me... cos I watched it on live tv when I was a teenager. although I would rather have him not unmasked till this day... and face undertaker for mask v career match at mania.
Honestly, who else could it have been? El Santo was Mexico's very own Superman, if Superman wore a mask and traded his superpowers for an unstoppable wrestling career.
Hey this was a superb little WhatCulture video. I watch em all, but this one I really, really watched and was educated & entertained far beyond normal. Props!
Did he even exist? I think his name was Hu--- ... Huaa----, ... HO, HO --- aw crap, I can't seem to remember his name, and no I don't think it was Hacksaw Jim Duggan, despite the 'HO" in there! His name seems to have been erased from reality, I guess.
I still remember Kane's unmasking. I'm a Kane guy, I've been a Kane fan since as long as I can remember him being around as Kane. Kane was super important for me as a teenager because as a taller, bigger guy, I was often referred to as a freak; then along came one of my favorite wrestlers, back from injury with a new mask, a new look, teaming up with the Hurricane saying verbatim : "I chose him because he is a freak; and freaks... are COOL!" When they went for the Kane unmasking I was on the edge of my seat! I couldn't believe they gave that on free TV! I get goosebumps just thinking back to that night!
No sure who this guy is, but I dig his voice. Since Adam seems to be above doing the top 10 countdowns anymore, maybe this guy could take his place. It would be nice to have a permanent voice for these countdowns again, since everything else on this channel has permanent figures. Food for thought.
Bret Hart: welcome to the wrestling spittoon how kayfabe are ya? El Santo: how kayfabe am i? i never took my mask off. Kevin Owens: psssh Yeah. so? Santo: EVER!!!! Bret Hart: my apologies sir! Kevin Owens: right this way great one!
I did not know that El Santo had unmasked on TV, or ever...he is a childhood hero of mine and I think you've just killed a bit of it...thanx WhatCulture! 😭
Great list! My favorite unmasking has to be Dean Malenko unmasking after the Cruiserweight Battle Royal as Ciclope and then having to immediately wrestle Chris Jericho. So much emotion and an amazing moment!
There was a brilliant masked wrestler in the UK during the 70s. Kendo Nagasaki. He eventually did unmask. He looked even scarier without it. Mercifully, he put it back on and carries the mysterious persona today.
I'd have included Dean Malenko pretending to be a masked wrestler named "Ciclope" in Chris Jericho's cruiserweight invitation battle royal at Slamboree '98. The pop when he unmasked was HUGE! Also, Gentleman Chris Adams hoodwinking Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin in WCCW was awesome too.
Thanks Whatculture, with this, WTF moments, and What Just Happened I dont need to spend 6 hours downloading the PPV, I get all that info from you guys instead :D
I'll never forget the reaction of the crowd at Slamboree '98, when Ciclope won a Cruiserweight battle royal to earn the right to face Chris Jericho for the Cruiserweight title, and he took his mask off to reveal it was Dean Malenko. The crowd went absolutely nuts for that.
Hey Ben, thanks a lot for mentioning how much of a huge deal are Mascaras in Mexico, i mean most of the times, Championships are not as important as a Mascara vs Mascara match, so yeah it is a huge deal here, also thanks for puting El Santo on number 1, that is without a doubt the most iconic and legendary Mascara in the entire world. Also, shame on Bischoff for unmasking Rey Mysterio just like that, he didn't realize that it was a huge shame for Rey.
I had never heard of El Santo before this list....then I heard about him....and fuck yeah he deserves the number one spot, goddamn. Talk about dedication
Razzrazz90 he's a legend I am currently training to be a luchador and when you say his name everyone instantly listens with respect , him blue demon and mil mascaras and tinablas, those four are the mount Rushmore of lucha libre
I was expecting Devon unmasking his Aces & 8s mask to be on here. His TNA contract was up so no one even considered him to be under there and the reaction from Bully Ray, Sting, and Hulk Hogan was gold
I really like this guys voice, it sounds rather old school in a way, like a voice you would here during the preview for an old black and white movie. I don't know, it's entertaining and I hope he commentates in more videos.
Ben is awesome, a lot different than the other presenters and you wouldn't know he doesn't have the years of fan experience like the others behind him. He's like the NXT champion of whatculture wrestling. The up and coming.
Even though Rey Mysterio was the more popular luchador in WCW, Juventud Guerrera's unmasking at SuperBrawl 8 was memorable, at least for that time. His career went to a whole new level for the remainder of 1998.
Santo is far from the only Luchador to be buried in his mask. Everyone knows he was but it's kind of a tradition. A Luchador's mask is seen as part of the person and being buried with the mask is a tribute to the accomplishments of the fallen fighter. Some actually consider it the ultimate honor and it's deeply respectful of his legacy.
why criticise nobody's forcing you to watch it I think all the guys do a good job with the vids keep up the good work and thanks and yeah I've subscribed
I was listening to a old podcast-type thing done by the Wrestling Observer back in 2001 and I could place it because they talked shortly about who Sara's stalker could be. They were also talking about if Booker T and Buff Bagwell would appear on WWE TV after WCW's buy out.
Am I the only one who remembers Rey's WCW run without the mask? When him and Billy Kidman would work together and he was wearin the baggy camouflage pants?
I was only 9 or 10 when Kane unmasked but I can still remember the fear of what could possibly be wrong with his face. Then he turned around and my fears were confirmed.
The original Kendo Nagasaki Peter Thornley, he was unmasked by Big Daddy but soon got a second mask so you couldn't really see anything beyond the half shaved head and tattoos, Adrian Street, Giant Haystacks and Dynamite Kid all got the mask almost off before being beaten. Thornley finally unmasked in a bizarre ceremony in 1977. Like Kane he has a half shaved head although he also had Taoist tattoos on his head and face. For his comeback he remained masked and even does so when attending events or chat shows. Other Kendo Nagasaki's are about.
Brother Bruti's unmasking at Halloween Havoc 1994, revealing that he was part of the greatest wrestling stable ever, The Dungeon of Doom, should have been #1.
Anyone else's heart warmed when he said Santo was buried in his mask?
When you put Kane at Number 2, I'm like, who could possibly be no.1. Then I learned who El Santo was, and completely agree.
how the hell did he die a week after showing his face?
From Wikipedia: Santo died from a heart attack (during a stage show he was putting on) on February 5, 1984, at 9:40 p.m., a week after his Contrapunto TV appearance.
***** oh ok. It just sounded too suspicious IMO. Like somebody got so mad and tracked him down
Fucking same.
and with lucha libre x mafia history and conspiracy, that is really obvious
Thanks for acknowledging El Santo, he's one the biggest names in México history:)
His birthday was a couple of days ago, it would've been his 99 birthday
But what about Mr. America's unmasking? I didn't expect him to be Hulk Hogan
Hulk Who?
Y'know, Hogan that cry baby from the 1980's and 90's who used to go in a strop if he didn't get his own way?
No idea what happened to him.
Besides him being fired for racial slurs?
What was it that hid his true kayfabe ID from you, his using the classic Hulkster entrance theme, using all the classic Hulster moves or that he was doing it in a flashy Lucha Libre mask and costume? :P
He did pass a lie detector test when he said he wasn't Hulk Hogan, so we all had to cross that name off the list of possibilities.
I hadn't realized Santo died so young... love his movies. A true star of the sport and beyond.
El Santo. Greatest Luchador of all time. it was truly respectful that he was buried with his mask on.
The unmasking of that on jobber against braun stroaman on RAW should be n°1 ..
Why?
it's not a sincire opinion
Because that made HISTORY
julie campos
kane's unmasking was so impact full for me... cos I watched it on live tv when I was a teenager. although I would rather have him not unmasked till this day... and face undertaker for mask v career match at mania.
"we all know this one ended badly and adam can do it better.....ding!"
lmao ben you legend
I like this guy. He makes me feel like I'm listening to the a BBC documentary
I was just thinking something similar! He has that sort of voice.
Lmao W
Plus it sounds hilarious when he jokes around, His "ding" sounds so serious.
He's very underrated, and not overblown like King Ross, who is a shit WhatCulture pundit for wankers #ShitWhatCulturePunditForWankers
RavenFrostCraft I just wanna know how they're able to stuff those things in people's vaginas without destroying the poor girl's cervix.
Rey Mysterio Jr. looks like a male version of Jessica Alba.
Hahaha that's creepy to think about.
Rey Mysterio is Jessica Alba. Ever seen those 2 in the same room?
Now that you mention it he totally does
Never knew Siri was working for WhatCulture!
Glad to see El Santo at #1, the best Luchador ever to live.
Agreed
Honestly, who else could it have been? El Santo was Mexico's very own Superman, if Superman wore a mask and traded his superpowers for an unstoppable wrestling career.
Hey this was a superb little WhatCulture video. I watch em all, but this one I really, really watched and was educated & entertained far beyond normal. Props!
I love the luchador mask culture it just feels so important
Jushin Thunder Liger was one of my favorites. A true legend.
Mr America unmasking??!!! come on whatculture
Did he even exist? I think his name was Hu--- ... Huaa----, ... HO, HO --- aw crap, I can't seem to remember his name, and no I don't think it was Hacksaw Jim Duggan, despite the 'HO" in there! His name seems to have been erased from reality, I guess.
I never would have guessed it was Hulk Hogan. I thought it was Iron Sheik tbh making a come back.
I'm still waiting for the day when we finally unmask Mr. America. His identity is such a great mystery.
I still remember Kane's unmasking. I'm a Kane guy, I've been a Kane fan since as long as I can remember him being around as Kane.
Kane was super important for me as a teenager because as a taller, bigger guy, I was often referred to as a freak; then along came one of my favorite wrestlers, back from injury with a new mask, a new look, teaming up with the Hurricane saying verbatim : "I chose him because he is a freak; and freaks... are COOL!"
When they went for the Kane unmasking I was on the edge of my seat! I couldn't believe they gave that on free TV!
I get goosebumps just thinking back to that night!
"And we all know that Adam can do it better. Ding." That actually made me laugh really hard.
No sure who this guy is, but I dig his voice. Since Adam seems to be above doing the top 10 countdowns anymore, maybe this guy could take his place. It would be nice to have a permanent voice for these countdowns again, since everything else on this channel has permanent figures. Food for thought.
Bret Hart: welcome to the wrestling spittoon how kayfabe are ya?
El Santo: how kayfabe am i? i never took my mask off.
Kevin Owens: psssh Yeah. so?
Santo: EVER!!!!
Bret Hart: my apologies sir!
Kevin Owens: right this way great one!
Kanes unmasking was one of the most surreal moments...That match between Kane n Triple H was very underrated
was always a fan of the Kishin Liger gimmick.
Same here, it's like when a main protagonist uses the evil power he's fighting against to make him stronger.
It's a bad gimmick for me. Its as bad as nWo Muta.
he sounds like a very sick pacciti
idk who this guy is but hes already better than fucking andrew soucek
Andrew just sounds like a WatchMojo reject.
+MoonlightStrider LMFAO YOU JUST MADE MY DAY
CardZ genius
You know their was some type of curse with that mask since he dies a week after taking it off in front of the world.
I feel like he knew he was going to die and just said fuck it
both of these comments are exactly what i was thinking
Awesome profile pic, dude
Jordan McHaley Thanks
hell yeah fiend club
My favourite was when Chris Jericho unmasked Juventud Guerrera.
HE was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen 😍
El Santo, one true king of Kfabe, the masked man to rule them all
How can you miss Malenko beating Jericho and the unmasking? Biggest pop in all of WCW
"And Adam can book it better *sound effect*" This guy rocks
I did not know that El Santo had unmasked on TV, or ever...he is a childhood hero of mine and I think you've just killed a bit of it...thanx WhatCulture! 😭
#1 should be Ben taking off his mask and it was actually Adam! *ding*
Great list! My favorite unmasking has to be Dean Malenko unmasking after the Cruiserweight Battle Royal as Ciclope and then having to immediately wrestle Chris Jericho. So much emotion and an amazing moment!
Kane revealed oddly painted face and a half shaved head why did I burst out laughing
thanks for adding el santo in the first place, he it is the biggest mexican legend, and in september 23, was the 99 year aniversary of el santo
This guy's voice + the talk of mysterious masked men gives this video a real "Unsolved Mysteries" kind of vibe.
The levels of sarcasm on that Ding.....fuck me i fell of my bed laughing
There was a brilliant masked wrestler in the UK during the 70s. Kendo Nagasaki.
He eventually did unmask. He looked even scarier without it. Mercifully, he put it back on and carries the mysterious persona today.
Why is John Cleese doing a WhatCulture video?;)
It's not his Fawlt.
My....exact.....thought.
Quiet Snitsky.
Go Go Hopper Tabby
It went over your head.
I'd have included Dean Malenko pretending to be a masked wrestler named "Ciclope" in Chris Jericho's cruiserweight invitation battle royal at Slamboree '98. The pop when he unmasked was HUGE! Also, Gentleman Chris Adams hoodwinking Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin in WCCW was awesome too.
Thanks Whatculture, with this, WTF moments, and What Just Happened I dont need to spend 6 hours downloading the PPV, I get all that info from you guys instead :D
Give this man every fucking list. Golden voice.
I'll never forget the reaction of the crowd at Slamboree '98, when Ciclope won a Cruiserweight battle royal to earn the right to face Chris Jericho for the Cruiserweight title, and he took his mask off to reveal it was Dean Malenko. The crowd went absolutely nuts for that.
One of the best lists Whatculture Wrestling has done in a long while.
Hey Ben, thanks a lot for mentioning how much of a huge deal are Mascaras in Mexico, i mean most of the times, Championships are not as important as a Mascara vs Mascara match, so yeah it is a huge deal here, also thanks for puting El Santo on number 1, that is without a doubt the most iconic and legendary Mascara in the entire world. Also, shame on Bischoff for unmasking Rey Mysterio just like that, he didn't realize that it was a huge shame for Rey.
I had never heard of El Santo before this list....then I heard about him....and fuck yeah he deserves the number one spot, goddamn. Talk about dedication
Razzrazz90 he's a legend I am currently training to be a luchador and when you say his name everyone instantly listens with respect , him blue demon and mil mascaras and tinablas, those four are the mount Rushmore of lucha libre
I was expecting Devon unmasking his Aces & 8s mask to be on here.
His TNA contract was up so no one even considered him to be under there and the reaction from Bully Ray, Sting, and Hulk Hogan was gold
Ben is now my 2nd favourite narrator in WhatCulture
Very surprised that Malenko's Ciclope reveal against Chris Jericho wasn't here. I loved that one.
Kane's was so dramatic for me lmfao. I wanted to see his face and yet I didn't want to see it so I kept running in an out of the living room lol.
El Generico.
We miss you. hope those orphans are doing well
I really like this guys voice, it sounds rather old school in a way, like a voice you would here during the preview for an old black and white movie. I don't know, it's entertaining and I hope he commentates in more videos.
It takes a ton of dedication to dawn a mask for life even in death. El Santo you trully are a legend !!!
so happy to see an El Santo reference at last.
Ben is awesome, a lot different than the other presenters and you wouldn't know he doesn't have the years of fan experience like the others behind him. He's like the NXT champion of whatculture wrestling. The up and coming.
was surprised to not see Dean Malenko-as-Ciclope here...it got Dean the biggest pop of his WCW career
Even though Rey Mysterio was the more popular luchador in WCW, Juventud Guerrera's unmasking at SuperBrawl 8 was memorable, at least for that time. His career went to a whole new level for the remainder of 1998.
"....and he was the most beautiful man anyone had ever seen" lol
Santo is far from the only Luchador to be buried in his mask. Everyone knows he was but it's kind of a tradition. A Luchador's mask is seen as part of the person and being buried with the mask is a tribute to the accomplishments of the fallen fighter. Some actually consider it the ultimate honor and it's deeply respectful of his legacy.
Hezekiah Ramirez actually there aren't many actually barried with their mask, usually they are barried with it but not wearing it
why criticise nobody's forcing you to watch it I think all the guys do a good job with the vids keep up the good work and thanks and yeah I've subscribed
Ciclope unmasking to be Dean Malenko at Slamboree '98 was awesome.
I was listening to a old podcast-type thing done by the Wrestling Observer back in 2001 and I could place it because they talked shortly about who Sara's stalker could be. They were also talking about if Booker T and Buff Bagwell would appear on WWE TV after WCW's buy out.
What about Doom? Ron Simmons and Butch Reed mask vs. title match vs. The Steiner Brothers?
that last one, the one time he takes off his mask, he dies about a week later, so sad
Shock Master's unmasking is the most shocking unmasking of all time though it was unintentionally happened.
When Ben's face comes into a video have him wear a mask
Am I the only one who remembers Rey's WCW run without the mask? When him and Billy Kidman would work together and he was wearin the baggy camouflage pants?
El Santo, the greatest luchador of my country ever
Mankind unmasking as Cactus Jack during a promo with Triple H should be an honourable mention, that felt like two completely different Wrestlers.
keep up the good work and good luck in your match at wcpw ill be watching
I love this channel.
dat voice doh...
i quite enjoy this sort of dry humour, great episode.
Great vid😎
After Kane's unmasking - And he was the most beautiful man the world has ever seen.😍
This guy should just make a video of him saying Eevolution in every sentence. love how he says it.
Anyone else reminded of the boss from seasons 2-4 of the IT crowd by this guy's voice?
He sounds nothing like Matt Berry.
Edwin Finnerty Maybe it's just something about the accent. (Not just a posh English accent)
I freaking loved santos it's sad he died. May the lucha legend rest in peace
I like this guy makes me think documentary
I was only 9 or 10 when Kane unmasked but I can still remember the fear of what could possibly be wrong with his face. Then he turned around and my fears were confirmed.
4:12
I was waiting for this. I was not disappointed.
#1 Kendo Nagasaki
The original Kendo Nagasaki Peter Thornley, he was unmasked by Big Daddy but soon got a second mask so you couldn't really see anything beyond the half shaved head and tattoos, Adrian Street, Giant Haystacks and Dynamite Kid all got the mask almost off before being beaten. Thornley finally unmasked in a bizarre ceremony in 1977.
Like Kane he has a half shaved head although he also had Taoist tattoos on his head and face. For his comeback he remained masked and even does so when attending events or chat shows. Other Kendo Nagasaki's are about.
Wow WhatCulture made a video that was interesting and not full of constant irritating sarcastic remarks
was that a redlettermedia's mr plinkett reference when he said "the masked wrestler" at the beginning of the video?
The unmaskings of both Kendo Nagasaki on World of Sport, and the unmasking of Cyclope after the cruiserweight battle royal in WCW.
DDP, still pissed about all the cookie crumbs in his bed, decides to stalk The Undertakers wife.
Are we ever going to get a Top 10 Best WWE Managers, so I can hear Jack's Paul Heyman impression
I feel Ciclope being unmasked as Dean Malenko should've been on here
You are my fav you tubers
I vividly remember 'Magnificent M' unmasking and revealed as Don Muraco.
if you where going to add mexican mask vs mask, you should have added this ones: cien caras vs rayo de Jalisco jr. villano 3 vs atlantis.
Villano V vs Blue Panther
kane looks like The actor from Stepbrothers when unmasked
I remember the Black Scorpion storyline...And I dont care, when DDP unmasked to reveal he was Sara's stalker it was awesome and got a huge pop.
What about edge's unmasking at one night stand 2006
Brother Bruti's unmasking at Halloween Havoc 1994, revealing that he was part of the greatest wrestling stable ever, The Dungeon of Doom, should have been #1.
Shockmaster better be #1
I really enjoyed this guy narrating. Not to say I don't love Adam and Simon, just bring this guy in more.
honourable mention, the fabulous moolah being unmasked as the backstabber in the original screwjob.
thank you for putting El Santo #1. he is mexican wrestling in a nutshell.