Jack Veneno

Jack Veneno ("Jack Venom"; born Rafael Antonio Sánchez; May 2, 1942 – April 6, 2021) was a Dominican professional wrestler and politician.

Professional wrestling career He became interested in wrestling as a teen, watching the Mexican luchador El Santo. He debuted in 1969. Also known as "El hijo de Doña Tatica" (Mrs. Tatica's Son), he worked for many years on Color Visión channel 9 during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, on a wrestling show called Lucha Libre Internacional. He was the main star of the show as well as the owner of the production company Dominicana de Espectaculos.

On September 7, 1982, Veneno challenged Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in the Palacio de los Deportes Virgilio Travieso Soto in Santo Domingo in front of an audience of circa 30,000 people.

Legacy and death

A movie trilogy about Veneno's life is planned; the first part was released in 2018.

On April 13, 2019, a statue was unveiled in Veneno's honor in the Eugenio María de Hostos Park in Santo Domingo.

On April 6, 2021, Veneno died from pancreatic cancer, which had metastasized to his lungs. He was 78 years old.

Championships and accomplishments Dominicana de Espectaculos Light Heavyweight Championship (6 times) Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship (2 times)