Post by Damon Cross on May 9, 2022 16:15:11 GMT -8
THE CORTEZ DYNASTY
Team Pic Bases
Juan & Javier Cortez
Santana & Ortiz
Manager Pic Base
Carmen Viviana Esquivel Cortez
Elektra Lopez
TAG TEAM INFORMATION
Team Members:
Juan & Javier Cortez, Carmen Viviana Esquivel Cortez (Manager)
Twitter Handle:
Cortez_NFW
Height:
5'8" (Juan), 5'9" (Javier), 5'6" (Carmen)
Combined Weight:
418lbs (Juan & Javier)
Birthplace(s):
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba (Juan & Javier), Ponce, Puerto Rico (Carmen)
Billed From:
South Miami, Florida
Birthdates:
07/18/97 (Juan & Javier), 02/19/96 (Carmen)
Alignment:
Edgy Faces
Gimmick:
A proud family who fought their entire lives to reach the big time and, now that they're there, will tackle any challenge to stay there.
What Show Are They On?
Collision - Red Brand
Entrance Music:
"I Want It All" by Sadboy Loko
Entrance:
The smooth beats and melodies of Sad Boy's "I Want It All" hit the speakers, a prelude to spotlights centering on the stage and the arena lights going up in red and blue, those colors pulsing to the beat of the track. Shortly after, Juan and Javier Cortez make their entrance, joined by the lovely-and-dangerous Carmen Viviana Esquivel Cortez. The threesome stops at the top of the stage with the brothers getting the fans pumped up till they're moving along with the music. Standing between them, Carmen gestures to the pair with pride, laying a kiss on the cheek of her husband, Javier, while Juan keeps his attention on the fans. They start heading down the ramp, still exhorting the fans to keep movin' and vibin'. Reaching the ring, the brothers leap onto the apron and each take one of Carmen's arms, lifitng her up as well. She sits on the middle rope, allowing the brothers to step through together where they then climb the buckles, getting more pumped up with every passing moment. Taking off their shirts, the garments are tossed to the ringside fans with Carmen once again standing between the brothers at the ropes.
Both drop back down and start hitting the ropes before knocking fists together and moving in to flank Carmen, who gives them a bit of a talking to while their eyes are, collectively, locked on the task at hand. Holding the ropes for Carmen as she leaves the ring, Juan starts to bounce on his heels, loosening up further while Javier paces back and forth like an anxious prize-fighter, cracking his knuckles, ready to scrap.
Independent Debut:
2020 (Juan & Javier), 2019 (Carmen)
Professional Debut:
2022
WRESTLING INFO
Tag Team Finishers:
Pack Mentality (Javier tags/is tagged by Juan before hitting a ripcord knee, after which Javier and Juan deliver a tandem pendulum lariat/spear to the legs, respectively)
Law of the Streets (Combination electric chair facebuster from Javier and springboard cutter from Juan)
Tag Team Signatures:
Slum Bomb (High hiptoss from Juan which allows Javier to catch the opponent and deliver a powerbomb)
Chest Crusher (Javier snap suplexes Juan into a hard senton on a downed opponent)
Redemption Arc (Javier delivers a slingshot falcon arrow after which Juan hits a springboard 450; a tribute to Damon Cross)
Common Tag Team Moves:
1. Double high knee
2. Double brainbuster
3. Double springboard back elbow
4. Double lifting DDT
5. Corner clothesline (Javier) into a running single-leg dropkick (Juan)
6. Hard corner Irish whip (Javier) into a springboard bulldog (Juan)
Singles Finishers:
Juan Cortez: Hurricane Splash (Springboard corkscrew moonsault)
Javier Cortez: Concrete Clutch (Hammerlock DDT into a kimura)
Singles Signatures:
Juan Cortez
Tornado DDT (from any position)
Running shotgun dropkick
Sixth Street Frog Splash (RVD-style frog splash)
Javier Cortez
Shoulderbreaker
Roaring elbow
Twisting elbow drop
Singles Common Moves:
Juan Cortez
1. Dropkick
2. Knife-edge chop
3. Leg drop
4. Japanese arm drag
5. High hiptoss
6. Backdrop
7. Hurricanrana (multiple variations)
8. Moonsault (multiple variations)
9. Somersault dive (slingshot/springboard out of the ring)
10. Belly-to-belly suplex
Javier Cortez
1. Forearm strike
2. Elbow strike
3. Headbutt (standing and second-rope diving)
4. Powerslam
5. Suplexes (snap, brainbuster, half-nelson, tiger)
6. Leaping clothesline
7. Running knee (to the head or ribs)
8. Jumping arm breaker
9. Armbars (Fujiwara, seated, short-arm scissors)
10. Reverse DDT
In-Ring Strengths:
Having worked together since their debut, and being blood, their chemistry and timing is second-to-none
Juan's high-flying, high-speed assault meshes well with Javier's power and submissions
Carmen keeps the brothers focused without taking too much attention on herself
In-Ring Flaws:
Both brothers are still rookies despite early success and are still learning how to make it on the big stage
Juan loves the roar of the crowd and can get too high-risk at times
Javier is stubborn to a fault, going head-first into a fight without thought of danger
Their split with Damon Cross has them wary and feeling adrift at times, hurting their confidence
Wrestling Style:
Juan favors a high-flying, high-speed style using his smaller frame and excellent balance to good effect.
Javier relies on strength and wrestling skill, along with some coaching from Carmen, to grind opponents down with a focused attack.
Though she does not wrestle, Carmen is a trained and active MMA fighter and can hold her own if need be.
Wrestling Gear:
Their gear is more reminiscent of what they utilized during their indy days as the South Miami Hit Squad (shown above).
Biography:
The Cortez brothers grew up with their mother on the rough side of Santiago de Cuba, never knowing their father. From the age of six, the brothers eschewed school to take odd jobs wherever they could, hoping to help their mother better make ends meet, meaning that from a young age they learned a great deal about survival and work ethic, though their mother did worry about them growing up without an education. When her own efforts paid off and she was able to acquire work and legal means to emigrate to the United States, she took Juan and Javier with her and with her new employment she was able to send the brothers to a proper school. They started slowly but soon took well to their studies while still taking small jobs here and there to help their mother, old habits apparently dying hard. When they turned thirteen, as a birthday gift, their mother took them to a wrestling show put on by ACW (American Championship Wrestling) and they were immediately taken in by the efforts of a particular tag team, the Noble Order, consisting of "Chaos Stryke" Logan Alexander and "White Knight" Damon Cross. Having the opportunity to meet the then-tag team champion after the show, the brothers found themselves inspired by Damon, who was admittedly a different man at that time: young and hot-headed but quite affable and talented. The brothers quickly admitted that after seeing this show they wanted to wrestle too, to which Damon suggested that they finish school first because wrestling doesn't always pan out. His trainer told him to do the same, leading to him acquiring his own degree. Stating that they would certainly do this, the brothers left the show that night with new dreams, rededicating themselves to excelling in school in terms of studies and sports... Juan taking a liking to track and gymnastics while Javier preferred wrestling and football, pursuits which led to their in-ring styles becoming what they are.
Tragedy struck shortly after their high school graduation, however, as their mother passed away due to a previously-undetected heart condition. She demanded a promise from both brothers that they would live their lives for themselves, doing something that made them happy, rather than working themselves to the bone like she did. Though difficult, the brothers made that promise. Earning full scholarships based on their grades and sporting exploits, the twins enrolled in the University of Miami, with Juan continuing to pursue track and gymnastics while Javier focused solely on wrestling in terms of sports. Neither reached a very high level in their physical pursuits, but neither did they accomplish anything less than very respectable success. After a few years, Juan graduated with a degree in Engineering and Javier with a degree in Economics. Throughout this time, they continued to follow Damon's career as a fan, yet when they noted the actions taken during his Crossroads/God of Ascension days, it was nearly enough to turn them away from the business, wondering if they could do something like that and still keep to their promise to their mother as they did not wish to turn so bitter and angry. Yet as Cross started to redeem himself, the brothers had already decided to find a proper wrestling school and set to the task of entering the ring while working day jobs earned by their scholastic exploits. After several months of training at the Orlando-based Raw Fury Wrestling School, the two brothers debuted as the South Miami Hit Squad for the independent federation PWA (Panhandle Wrestling Alliance).
The twins started off as cocky heels, but their exciting and no-nonsense approach in the ring turned them face by default. They had a longstanding feud with the Redneck Rebellion, a team that dominated the tag title scene in PWA with rough tactics and a level of chicanery unmatched by some professional-level teams. In the process of this feud, one of PWA's most prominent managers, the Queen of Florida, Vivian Rodriguez, began courting the brothers, wanting them as clients. As she was known for her wicked ways, the brothers politely denied her, but Vivian was adamant. Turned down too many times, she decided to sign the Redneck Rebellion instead, helping them defeat the South Miami Hit Squad in their first crack at the titles. This led to a heavier feud between the teams with Vivian's efforts helping to keep the brothers from the tag titles until May of 2021. Vivian, during the match, is knocked off the apron by one of her clients, but caught by Javier outside the ring, saving her form a nasty landing. A high-risk dive took her AND Javier down, though, with little regard shown by the Rebellion for their manager. Late in the match, she was set to toss one of the title belts to the Rebellion to hit Javier, but refused. This momentary lapse let Juan and Javier deliver Two Shots One Kill to the Rebellion and finally win the gold. A post-match attack by the Rebellion on Vivian led to the Hit Squad attacking and chasing them off and the brothers finally signing with the now-face manager. Outside the ring, sparks were flying and soon after, Javier and Carmen, now using her real name, became engaged.
The South Miami Hit Squad reigned for six months before losing the belts to House of Thunder, but they regained the belts back at the year-end show in January, reigning until early-April of 2022 when, in their final PWA match, they dropped the gold to longstanding rivals Redneck Rebellion before taking their leave to join NFW's Collision brand, where they immediately allied with their long-time idol, Damon Cross, to aid in his war with Johnny Towers and his cronies. Rechristened La Lealtad es Todo (Loyalty is Everything), the brothers and soon-to-be sister were ready to take on the big time alongside the man who inspired them. However, circumstances during an ECWF World Heavyweight Championship defense by Damon Cross, that saw the Cortezes attacked and literally run off by the Cult of Carnivore led to a split between the mentor and the up-and-comers. The brothers were left adrift for a while, Carmen still at their side, second-guessing their move to join NFW. Listless in a competitive tag team division, their popularity and drive fell off something fierce.
Taking some time to return home to Cuba and remember where they came from, as well as catch up with family and friends, Juan and Javier found a new lust for life and wrestling as well. Shortly after this, Javier and Carmen were wed before those closest to them with Juan as his brother's best man. Deciding that it was time to get back to basics, the Cortezes rediscovered their old attitude and fire from their days on the indy circuit, returning to their old gear and look with Carmen's approval. Now rechristened as the Cortez Dynasty, they're ready to make another go on their own in NFW, seeking tag team gold for the first time as professionals.
Team Pic Bases
Juan & Javier Cortez
Santana & Ortiz
Manager Pic Base
Carmen Viviana Esquivel Cortez
Elektra Lopez
TAG TEAM INFORMATION
Team Members:
Juan & Javier Cortez, Carmen Viviana Esquivel Cortez (Manager)
Twitter Handle:
Cortez_NFW
Height:
5'8" (Juan), 5'9" (Javier), 5'6" (Carmen)
Combined Weight:
418lbs (Juan & Javier)
Birthplace(s):
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba (Juan & Javier), Ponce, Puerto Rico (Carmen)
Billed From:
South Miami, Florida
Birthdates:
07/18/97 (Juan & Javier), 02/19/96 (Carmen)
Alignment:
Edgy Faces
Gimmick:
A proud family who fought their entire lives to reach the big time and, now that they're there, will tackle any challenge to stay there.
What Show Are They On?
Collision - Red Brand
Entrance Music:
"I Want It All" by Sadboy Loko
Entrance:
The smooth beats and melodies of Sad Boy's "I Want It All" hit the speakers, a prelude to spotlights centering on the stage and the arena lights going up in red and blue, those colors pulsing to the beat of the track. Shortly after, Juan and Javier Cortez make their entrance, joined by the lovely-and-dangerous Carmen Viviana Esquivel Cortez. The threesome stops at the top of the stage with the brothers getting the fans pumped up till they're moving along with the music. Standing between them, Carmen gestures to the pair with pride, laying a kiss on the cheek of her husband, Javier, while Juan keeps his attention on the fans. They start heading down the ramp, still exhorting the fans to keep movin' and vibin'. Reaching the ring, the brothers leap onto the apron and each take one of Carmen's arms, lifitng her up as well. She sits on the middle rope, allowing the brothers to step through together where they then climb the buckles, getting more pumped up with every passing moment. Taking off their shirts, the garments are tossed to the ringside fans with Carmen once again standing between the brothers at the ropes.
Both drop back down and start hitting the ropes before knocking fists together and moving in to flank Carmen, who gives them a bit of a talking to while their eyes are, collectively, locked on the task at hand. Holding the ropes for Carmen as she leaves the ring, Juan starts to bounce on his heels, loosening up further while Javier paces back and forth like an anxious prize-fighter, cracking his knuckles, ready to scrap.
Independent Debut:
2020 (Juan & Javier), 2019 (Carmen)
Professional Debut:
2022
WRESTLING INFO
Tag Team Finishers:
Pack Mentality (Javier tags/is tagged by Juan before hitting a ripcord knee, after which Javier and Juan deliver a tandem pendulum lariat/spear to the legs, respectively)
Law of the Streets (Combination electric chair facebuster from Javier and springboard cutter from Juan)
Tag Team Signatures:
Slum Bomb (High hiptoss from Juan which allows Javier to catch the opponent and deliver a powerbomb)
Chest Crusher (Javier snap suplexes Juan into a hard senton on a downed opponent)
Redemption Arc (Javier delivers a slingshot falcon arrow after which Juan hits a springboard 450; a tribute to Damon Cross)
Common Tag Team Moves:
1. Double high knee
2. Double brainbuster
3. Double springboard back elbow
4. Double lifting DDT
5. Corner clothesline (Javier) into a running single-leg dropkick (Juan)
6. Hard corner Irish whip (Javier) into a springboard bulldog (Juan)
Singles Finishers:
Juan Cortez: Hurricane Splash (Springboard corkscrew moonsault)
Javier Cortez: Concrete Clutch (Hammerlock DDT into a kimura)
Singles Signatures:
Juan Cortez
Tornado DDT (from any position)
Running shotgun dropkick
Sixth Street Frog Splash (RVD-style frog splash)
Javier Cortez
Shoulderbreaker
Roaring elbow
Twisting elbow drop
Singles Common Moves:
Juan Cortez
1. Dropkick
2. Knife-edge chop
3. Leg drop
4. Japanese arm drag
5. High hiptoss
6. Backdrop
7. Hurricanrana (multiple variations)
8. Moonsault (multiple variations)
9. Somersault dive (slingshot/springboard out of the ring)
10. Belly-to-belly suplex
Javier Cortez
1. Forearm strike
2. Elbow strike
3. Headbutt (standing and second-rope diving)
4. Powerslam
5. Suplexes (snap, brainbuster, half-nelson, tiger)
6. Leaping clothesline
7. Running knee (to the head or ribs)
8. Jumping arm breaker
9. Armbars (Fujiwara, seated, short-arm scissors)
10. Reverse DDT
In-Ring Strengths:
Having worked together since their debut, and being blood, their chemistry and timing is second-to-none
Juan's high-flying, high-speed assault meshes well with Javier's power and submissions
Carmen keeps the brothers focused without taking too much attention on herself
In-Ring Flaws:
Both brothers are still rookies despite early success and are still learning how to make it on the big stage
Juan loves the roar of the crowd and can get too high-risk at times
Javier is stubborn to a fault, going head-first into a fight without thought of danger
Their split with Damon Cross has them wary and feeling adrift at times, hurting their confidence
Wrestling Style:
Juan favors a high-flying, high-speed style using his smaller frame and excellent balance to good effect.
Javier relies on strength and wrestling skill, along with some coaching from Carmen, to grind opponents down with a focused attack.
Though she does not wrestle, Carmen is a trained and active MMA fighter and can hold her own if need be.
Wrestling Gear:
Their gear is more reminiscent of what they utilized during their indy days as the South Miami Hit Squad (shown above).
Biography:
The Cortez brothers grew up with their mother on the rough side of Santiago de Cuba, never knowing their father. From the age of six, the brothers eschewed school to take odd jobs wherever they could, hoping to help their mother better make ends meet, meaning that from a young age they learned a great deal about survival and work ethic, though their mother did worry about them growing up without an education. When her own efforts paid off and she was able to acquire work and legal means to emigrate to the United States, she took Juan and Javier with her and with her new employment she was able to send the brothers to a proper school. They started slowly but soon took well to their studies while still taking small jobs here and there to help their mother, old habits apparently dying hard. When they turned thirteen, as a birthday gift, their mother took them to a wrestling show put on by ACW (American Championship Wrestling) and they were immediately taken in by the efforts of a particular tag team, the Noble Order, consisting of "Chaos Stryke" Logan Alexander and "White Knight" Damon Cross. Having the opportunity to meet the then-tag team champion after the show, the brothers found themselves inspired by Damon, who was admittedly a different man at that time: young and hot-headed but quite affable and talented. The brothers quickly admitted that after seeing this show they wanted to wrestle too, to which Damon suggested that they finish school first because wrestling doesn't always pan out. His trainer told him to do the same, leading to him acquiring his own degree. Stating that they would certainly do this, the brothers left the show that night with new dreams, rededicating themselves to excelling in school in terms of studies and sports... Juan taking a liking to track and gymnastics while Javier preferred wrestling and football, pursuits which led to their in-ring styles becoming what they are.
Tragedy struck shortly after their high school graduation, however, as their mother passed away due to a previously-undetected heart condition. She demanded a promise from both brothers that they would live their lives for themselves, doing something that made them happy, rather than working themselves to the bone like she did. Though difficult, the brothers made that promise. Earning full scholarships based on their grades and sporting exploits, the twins enrolled in the University of Miami, with Juan continuing to pursue track and gymnastics while Javier focused solely on wrestling in terms of sports. Neither reached a very high level in their physical pursuits, but neither did they accomplish anything less than very respectable success. After a few years, Juan graduated with a degree in Engineering and Javier with a degree in Economics. Throughout this time, they continued to follow Damon's career as a fan, yet when they noted the actions taken during his Crossroads/God of Ascension days, it was nearly enough to turn them away from the business, wondering if they could do something like that and still keep to their promise to their mother as they did not wish to turn so bitter and angry. Yet as Cross started to redeem himself, the brothers had already decided to find a proper wrestling school and set to the task of entering the ring while working day jobs earned by their scholastic exploits. After several months of training at the Orlando-based Raw Fury Wrestling School, the two brothers debuted as the South Miami Hit Squad for the independent federation PWA (Panhandle Wrestling Alliance).
The twins started off as cocky heels, but their exciting and no-nonsense approach in the ring turned them face by default. They had a longstanding feud with the Redneck Rebellion, a team that dominated the tag title scene in PWA with rough tactics and a level of chicanery unmatched by some professional-level teams. In the process of this feud, one of PWA's most prominent managers, the Queen of Florida, Vivian Rodriguez, began courting the brothers, wanting them as clients. As she was known for her wicked ways, the brothers politely denied her, but Vivian was adamant. Turned down too many times, she decided to sign the Redneck Rebellion instead, helping them defeat the South Miami Hit Squad in their first crack at the titles. This led to a heavier feud between the teams with Vivian's efforts helping to keep the brothers from the tag titles until May of 2021. Vivian, during the match, is knocked off the apron by one of her clients, but caught by Javier outside the ring, saving her form a nasty landing. A high-risk dive took her AND Javier down, though, with little regard shown by the Rebellion for their manager. Late in the match, she was set to toss one of the title belts to the Rebellion to hit Javier, but refused. This momentary lapse let Juan and Javier deliver Two Shots One Kill to the Rebellion and finally win the gold. A post-match attack by the Rebellion on Vivian led to the Hit Squad attacking and chasing them off and the brothers finally signing with the now-face manager. Outside the ring, sparks were flying and soon after, Javier and Carmen, now using her real name, became engaged.
The South Miami Hit Squad reigned for six months before losing the belts to House of Thunder, but they regained the belts back at the year-end show in January, reigning until early-April of 2022 when, in their final PWA match, they dropped the gold to longstanding rivals Redneck Rebellion before taking their leave to join NFW's Collision brand, where they immediately allied with their long-time idol, Damon Cross, to aid in his war with Johnny Towers and his cronies. Rechristened La Lealtad es Todo (Loyalty is Everything), the brothers and soon-to-be sister were ready to take on the big time alongside the man who inspired them. However, circumstances during an ECWF World Heavyweight Championship defense by Damon Cross, that saw the Cortezes attacked and literally run off by the Cult of Carnivore led to a split between the mentor and the up-and-comers. The brothers were left adrift for a while, Carmen still at their side, second-guessing their move to join NFW. Listless in a competitive tag team division, their popularity and drive fell off something fierce.
Taking some time to return home to Cuba and remember where they came from, as well as catch up with family and friends, Juan and Javier found a new lust for life and wrestling as well. Shortly after this, Javier and Carmen were wed before those closest to them with Juan as his brother's best man. Deciding that it was time to get back to basics, the Cortezes rediscovered their old attitude and fire from their days on the indy circuit, returning to their old gear and look with Carmen's approval. Now rechristened as the Cortez Dynasty, they're ready to make another go on their own in NFW, seeking tag team gold for the first time as professionals.
