and El Santo culminated in a Luchas de Apuestas, or mask vs. mask match, on November 7, 1952. The 70 minute match that is still heralded today as one of the most famous in Latin American history. It helped popularize the concept with mask matches still the biggest draws in Lucha Libre to the modern day. Subsequently Santo clashed with Blue Demon but it was the match against Black Shadow that stands out as one of the defining matches in Lucha Libre history. The match was one of the main reasons wrestling promoter Salvador Lutteroth started to build Arena Mexico as so many people had been unable to get tickets for the show. The match was so popular that it caused El Santo to turn tecnico and was the starting point of a wrestling and movie career that made El Santo Mexico's most beloved wrestler. While some wrestlers lose popularity after unmasking, Black Shadow thrived after losing his mask. His innovative, high-flying style that incorporated moves off the top rope was something not many wrestlers used at the time and ensured that he worked in the main event throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In 1981 Cruz was unable to get his wrestling license renewed due to ailing health, forcing him to retire after almost 40 years in the business. After his retirement Cruz withdrew from the spotlight, rarely talking about his career. In 2001 Black Shadow was inducted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame for his contributions to professional wrestling. Filmography Cruz also appeared in numerous Mexican wrestling films with Santo, mostly billed as "Black Shadow" in the credits. In two Blue Demon films, (Blue Demon en Noche de muerte and Santo y Blue Demon contra los monstruos) the Black Shadow played an evil duplicate (or clone) of Blue Demon, dressed in the Blue Demon costume while posing as the "real" Blue Demon. Death Alejandro Cruz died on March 8, 2007, age 85, in Mexico City after suffering from pneumonia. Championships and accomplishments Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre Mexican National Lightweight Championship (1 time) Mexican National Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Blue Demon Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2001) Luchas de Apuestas record References General sources Specific External links Online World of Wrestling profile 1921 births 2007 deaths Deaths from pneumonia in Mexico Mexican male film actors Mexican male professional