“El Negro” Dario Romero, who was a part of the famous Romero/Youngblood family, has died. He was 83.
His daughter, Sandra, confirmed his death from pneumonia on January 31, 2024, in a Facebook post on February 3, 2024:
My DAD (best friend) is now dancing with Jesus! His love endures forever. John 16:22 Now is my time of grief, but I will see you again Dad and we will rejoice, and no one will take away our joy. Continue to watch over me. My dad always wanted to see everyone at their best and from his heart he would tell you ….. #getyourgoals I’m so thankful for my dad and I will truly miss him. #pneumoniasucks
Dario Romero was born on May 3, 1940, and grew up in southern California, and would be one of three Romero brothers in pro wrestling.
“Rapid” Ricky Romero was a superstar, one of the biggest names ever in Texas. Both Dario and Albert Romero — who worked as the Oregon Lumber Jack — fell under his shadow.
A card in El Paso, Texas, on Jan. 1, 1973.
Dario wrestled for over 20 years, from 1961-1983. Over the course of his career, Romero worked for many different promotions, like M&M Promotions (MMP), NWAHW (NWA Hollywood Wrestling), and WP (Wrestling Promotions, Inc.).
He was mostly Dario Romero (or variations thereof, like Mario), and was also known as “El Negro.”
In 2006, after the death of Ricky Romero, a niece, Rebecca Romero Gomez Mendoza, told Greg Oliver that it had been a family affair:
There are a lot of fond memories of my uncles starting with my grandmother, Florence Romero, who would pack up all the grandkids in her Chevrolet Impala and drive us to the San Bernardino Orange Show auditorium to watch my uncles wrestle. My uncles as you know them were “Ricky Romero,” Albert Romero was the “Lumberjack,” and Dario Romero was “El Negro.” My Uncle Dario is the last of the remaining Romero brothers who also attended my uncle’s funeral.
My mother used to sew their trunks, jackets, and masks for them during their wrestling heyday. I love to see my uncles come over and hear them talk about their bouts.
Chris, Jay and Mark Youngblood, and Ricky Romero Jr., were all the sons of Ricky Romero, and therefore nephews of Dario Romero. The entire clan was presented with a Family Award by the Cauliflower Alley Club in 2015.
Dario Romero in the gym at age 81. Facebook photo
Wrestler Jesse Hernandez paid tribute to his friend on Facebook:
I am very saddened by the news of another Pro Wrestling Brother gone to the ring in the sky. My friend of many years Dario Romero who wrestled under the same name as well as under the name of El Negro. Dario Passed away from pneumonia on Wednesday January 31st. His career expanded from 1961 to 1983 Dario Romero was part of a legendary family of wrestlers from the Fontana Bloomington area he is now with his two brothers Albert Romero who wrestled as the Oregon Lumber Jack and Ricky Romero Sr. who settled in Amarillo Texas. Dario will be missed but will live forever in our hearts. His daughter Sandra will be sharing more information for me to pass on. RIP dear friend.
Romero leaves behind a wife, Sylvia, and a daughter Sandra, and family and friends. Funeral arrangements aren’t known at this time.
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