Eric Pérez | |
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Escobar in 2009.
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Birth name | Eric Alexander Pérez |
Born |
Carolina, Puerto Rico |
December 18, 1979
Spouse(s) | Jeannette Concepción |
Children | 3 |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Eric Alexander Eric El Gladiador Eric Escobar Mr. Escobar Eric Pérez Escobar Mr. E The Alien |
Billed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Billed weight | 250 lb (110 kg) |
Billed from | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
Trained by | Super Crazy |
Debut | 2000 |
Eric Alexander Pérez (born December 18, 1979) is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler who currently performs under the ring name "Escobar". In 2005, Pérez signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he worked for developmental territories Deep South Wrestling and Florida Championship Wrestling, winning the tag team championship in both and the FCW Florida Heavyweight Championship. In the fall of 2009, he was promoted to WWE's main roster as "Eric Escobar", appearing on the SmackDown brand. On January 17, 2010, he was released from his WWE contract. Pérez subsequently returned to Puerto Rico, performing in the IWA and Puerto Rico Wrestling Association, winning the heavyweight titles of both promotions.
Pérez began his career in the International Wrestling Association in Puerto Rico, after receiving training with personnel from the company. Prior to debuting in professional wrestling Pérez had always had an interest in wrestling fueled by World Wrestling Entertainment and Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. Pérez also stated that during his career he was inspired by the microphone skills of Chicky Starr and The Rock and by the in-ring ability of Kurt Angle. While visiting an event presented by the IWA in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Pérez was approached by Victor Quiñones then president of the company, who asked to him if he was interested in receiving training to become a professional wrestler. His first angle with the company was as the leader of a group of young wrestlers titled Lucha Libre 101, originally composed of Bryan Madness (Roberto Rubio), Chicano (Carlos Cotto) and Abbad (Enrique Sinigaglia). Several of the members of Lucha Libre 101 were either injured or abandoned the company while it was in progress which led to it being cancelled. After the company terminated this angle he acted as host of a talk show segment, but he was not interested in the section and asked the company to give the role to Daniel Garcia Soto while he traveled to Mexico.