Cassandro

Independent circuit (2008–2022)

After once again leaving AAA in April 2008, Cassandro began working for promotions such as National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), Perros del Mal Producciones (PdM), Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA-MS) and in early 2009 signed a contract with American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). In March, TNA began promoting Armandariz's upcoming debut under the new ring name Andromeda. However, after several months of inactivity with the promotion, it was reported in August that Armendáriz and TNA had parted ways. Armendáriz publicly blamed his departure on homophobia. On April 3, 2010, Cassandro made his debut for Ring of Honor (ROH), defeating Rhett Titus at The Big Bang! pay-per-view. During the match, Armendáriz broke his leg, which forced him to pull out of Chikara's King of Trios tournament later that same month. On June 25, 2011, NWA Mexico, while touring the United Kingdom, set up a match to determine the first NWA World Welterweight Champion since getting the title back from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). In the match Cassandro defeated Dr. Cerebro to win the championship.

On October 9, 2011, at Héroes Inmortales, Cassandro made his return to AAA, saving Pimpinela Escarlata from exóticos Nygma, Pasión Cristal and Polvo de Estrellas, who had recently started a storyline rivalry with Escarlata based on their envy of the new Reina de Reinas Champion. Cassandro wrestled his AAA return match on November 5, teaming with Escarlata and La Braza in a six-man tag team match, where they defeated Nygma, Pasión Cristal and Yuriko. On February 17, 2012, Armendáriz announced he was taking an indefinite hiatus from professional wrestling. It was later revealed that Armendáriz had torn his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus and would have to undergo surgery, which would sideline him from professional wrestling for ten to twelve months. Cassandro returned to the ring in early 2013. On March 16, 2013, Cassandro took part in Ray Mendoza Jr.'s retirement event, where he teamed up with El Hijo de Pirata Morgan to compete in a Ruleta de la Muerte, a losers advance tag team tournament. The duo lost to Máscara Año 2000 and Rayo de Jalisco Jr. in the first round and to El Solar and Toscano in the second round qualifying them for the finals, where the losing team would be forced to either unmask or have their hair shaved off. The team faced, and lost, to the team of Villano IV and Ray Mendoza Jr., which meant Cassandro had to have his hair shaved off, while El Hijo de Pirata Morgan had to unmask as is traditional with Lucha de Apuestas losses. In February 2017, Cassandro appeared in a skit on Conan, training Conan O'Brien and Andy Richter to become luchadores. He was featured in a 2016 New Yorker article entitled "How the Drag Queen Cassandro Became a Star of Mexican Wrestling."

He is the subject of the 2018 documentary film Cassandro the Exotico!, by Marie Losier. In 2023, the film Cassandro was made based on his life.

Personal life On May 7, 2021, he had a brain embolism removed.

Armendáriz is openly gay.

Championships and accomplishments Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide AAA Hall of Fame (2023) NWA Mexico NWA World Welterweight Championship (1 time) 1

1Championship not recognized by Chikara.

Luchas de Apuestas record

Winner (wager)Loser (wager)LocationEventDateNotesJohnny Vannessa (name) Rosa Salvaje (name) N/A N/A N/A Cassandro (hair) and Pimpinela Escarlata (hair) Dragon Chino I (hair) and Dragon Chino II (hair) N/A N/A N/A Cassandro (hair) Profeta (mask) N/A N/A N/A Cassandro (hair) Profeta (hair) N/A N/A N/A Cassandro (hair) Ruby Gardenia (hair) Los Angeles, California Live event Ray Mendoza Jr. (hair) and Villano IV (mask) Cassandro (hair) and El Hijo de Pirata Morgan (mask) Naucalpan, Mexico State Live event Peluchin Maldad (mask) Cassandro (hair) El Paso, Texas Live event