The squared circle is not just a battlefield of suplexes, body slams, and figure-four leg locks, it’s also a battleground of life itself. Case in point: the heartrending journey of Jesus “Ricardo” Rodriguez.
Best known as the personal ring announcer for Alberto Del Rio, Rodriguez’s career spans over 20 years, during which he’s grappled with roles from masked luchador to backstage producer. But in 2014, he made an unexpected tag-out, requesting his release from WWE. And so began a dark match with alcoholism.
His confession, aired on “Developmentally Speaking,” has shone a spotlight on the grueling and often unseen trials of professional wrestling. After leaving WWE, Rodriguez’s life outside the ring was a punishing gauntlet of barstool body slams. But here’s the thing: he never tapped out.
Rodriguez’s hard-hitting story offers more than just another wrestling documentary—it uncovers a side of the business we rarely discuss. His journey from addiction to recovery is akin to a dramatic wrestling storyline, except this one isn’t scripted. Rodriguez has become an unlikely babyface, transforming his struggle into a drive to help others.
After WWE, he traveled to places like India, Austin, Mexico City, and Los Angeles, pouring his wrestling wisdom into schools and promotions. Notably, he helped The Great Khali establish a wrestling school in India, effectively drop-kicking off an independent wrestling scene.
Despite the boozed-up body slams, Rodriguez clawed his way to sobriety, even returning to rehab in 2022. He also announced a documentary, “Wrestling With Recovery,” and has begun work as an agent for Major League Wrestling.
In an unexpected twist, Rodriguez is now set to open his wrestling school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, aiming to ring in its debut shows this fall. It’s a powerful narrative, one of redemption and resilience that could inspire legions of wrestling fans—and it’s a story that WWE missed out on.
The question remains: could WWE have turned this real-life struggle into an impactful storyline, tackling the issue of addiction while showing the redeeming power of wrestling? It’s food for thought for wrestling companies out there. Let’s hope they’re hungry for more than just a brawl.