Gran Apache
| Birth name | Mario Balbuena González |
|---|---|
| Born |
April 16, 1959 Mexico City, Mexico |
| Died | May 7, 2017 (aged 58) Mexico City, Mexico |
| Cause of death | Intestinal cancer |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Apache (divorced) |
| Children |
Faby Apache (daughter) Mari Apache (daughter) |
| Family |
Billy Boy (ex-son-in-law) Marvin Apache (grandson) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) |
El Apache Gran Apache Cometa Azul III Jabagengi Lion Chiva Rayada I Great Sasuke Tiga Power Version El Gladiador Kimba |
| Billed height | 168 cm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Billed weight | 86 kg (190 lb) |
| Trained by | Rafael Salamanca Tony Lopez Blue Demon Cometa Azules I Cometa Azules II |
| Debut | August 8, 1975 |
Mario Balbuena González (April 16, 1959 – May 7, 2017), better known under the ring names Gran Apache and El Apache, was a Mexican luchador, or professional wrestler and trainer. Balbuena worked for AAA / Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) since 1996, both as a wrestler and a trainer. He was involved in training almost all young wrestlers who worked for the promotion during that period of time.
Two of Balbuena's four daughters—Faby Apache and Mari Apache—followed him into a professional wrestling career. His second wife also became a professional wrestler under the name Lady Apache. Balbuena and his family were part of a long-running "Telenovela" style storyline that also included Faby Apache's then-husband Billy Boy as well as their son, referred to as "Marvin Apache". As Gran Apache, Balbuena held the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship twice and the AAA World Trios Championship once with his daughters.
Mario Balbuena González was born on April 19, 1959, in Mexico City, Mexico. Growing up, Balbuena was interested both in sports and music, so much so that by the age of 14 he was already part of a Salsa band and was hoping to make that his career.
In January 1975 Balbuena met professional wrestlers Cometa Azules I and II who invited the athletic Balbuena to come train with them. Initially, he had no specific interest in lucha libre, but as soon as he started to train he was hooked by the physicality of the sport. Balbuena trained with Los Cometas Azlues for eight months before making his in-ring debut in August 1975. For his first match he worked as the enmascarado, or masked character, Cometa Azules III, using the name as an homage to his teachers. Following the match, Santo, one of the biggest stars of lucha libre, greeted Balbuena, who was so fascinated by the culture and respect shown backstage that he decided to become a full-time wrestler.
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