During the Aztec empire, warriors presented themselves as eagles or jaguars to intimidate those foes. Keeping up that tradition in pro wrestling is newcomer Dante Casanova, and “El Jaguar” is making his presence known in the squared circle.
SlamWrestling.net caught up with with Casanova as he wrestled in Utah for Devotion Championship Wrestling. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound El Jaguar (real name Roy Ruiz) talked about what made him pursue the sport of professional wrestling.
“[I was] always a fan growing up,” he explained. “When I got out of the military, I didn’t want to grow up with a life of regret thinking that ‘I could have done this when I was young.’”
Casanova’s a proud member of the United States Marine Corps (even throwing in an “oo-rah” during the interview), and was stationed in Orlando, Florida. After his discharge, Casanova went to pursue his dream. “I trained at Flatbacks,” Casanova noted, referring to Flatbacks Wrestling School, which is helmed by wrestling stars Shawn Spears and Tyler Breeze.
For people who’ve never been, what do they emphasize when training at their school? “Fundamentals,” Casanova replied. “They’re big on fundamentals; fundamentals, psychology, and character work, which was a big one that really stands out to you as it relates to your work right now.”
“I think if you have a grasp on your character,” he added, “you can’t do nothing wrong in the ring.”
Casanova takes that ethos to heart as his ring gear is very intricate, with ornate Aztec-style shoulder pads, capped off with a professional jaguar head helmet. Between that and Casanova’s ethnicity and presence, he is as close in appearance to the Marvel character Namor from the movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
He had heard that observation before. “No, you’re the latest,” Casanova laughed. “Everyone does the same thing. So, here’s the backstory on that — I had the gear designed and paid for before Namor was a thing. The gear maker took forever, [then the] movie came out before my gear came out.
“So, everyone just decides, ‘Hey, you got it from Namor,’ when in reality, Namor got it from me.” More laughing.
Recently, Casanova has been making a name for himself in Ohio for the promotion Exodus Pro, which is one of the territories under the NWA banner.
“I saw EC3 was running it,” he explained, and the selling point of Exodus’ debut show was Thom Latimer being part of the card. “I decided at the very last minute, literally the day prior, ‘Hey, I’m gonna pay myself to go out there and just do it. And if anything, at least I’ll get learning experience.’
“I went out there, did my thing, showed out, got the match with Thom Latimer,” Casanova continued, “put on a hell of a show, as I always do. And from there, EC3 has just been having his eye on me and just been coaching me along. [He’s been] kind of been a mentor to me.”
Casanova has taken advantage of those opportunities of late, having a rivalry with Pretty Boy Smooth and challenging him for the Exodus Pro Midwest Championship on the Journey II signature event, which was shown on YouTube.
“Me and [Smooth] have unfinished business for sure, but I’ll give him his flowers,” he grudgingly acknowledged. “I had to step down due to an injury, he stepped up and he took the ball and ran with it, and he’s doing a hell of a job as a champion.
(You can see the match below at the 53:35 mark and it concludes at 1:11:40)
“If you watch that match back at Journey II, he had a little help. It wasn’t a clean victory,” Casanova pointed out. “I definitely know that I have his number, and I definitely know he’s gonna regret making an enemy out of me.”
Casanova has even been seen on a recent NWA Powerrr match, as he was in a four-way match with himself, Hunter Drake, Mario Pardua, and Jeremiah Plunkett to crown the new NWA Mid-America champion.
One thing is for certain, “El Jaguar” has a full dance card.
“[I’m] staying busy as all hell,” Casanova remarked. “I do know I get to cross off Canada on my list of places.”
Casanova will be featured this Saturday, September 20, for the promotion Noble Championship Group. He will be participating in the Triumph show in LaSalle, Ontario, in a four-way ladder match against Crash Jaxon, Jason Hotch, and Zeeko for an opportunity for their NGC North American championship title.
As for Casanova’s odds that night, he made one thing clear: “I just hope they’re they got their boots ready to work.”
TOP PHOTO: Dante Casanova after his match at Devotion Championship Wrestling in Salt Lake City, UT. Credit: Tommy “Milagro” Martinez
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