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Juan Rivera (born August 10, 1966 in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico) is a former professional wrestler best known under the name Savio Vega. He is best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation

Early career

Vega was born in the town of Vega Alta (Where the “Vega” in his wrestling name comes from), where he received his primary education. He participated in wrestling events during his high school years. After graduating from high school, Vega went to Miami, Florida, where he auditioned for the WWF. He was accepted and sent back to Puerto Rico, where he wrestled for the World Wrestling Council and was managed by El Profe and feuded with Chicky Starr, Abdullah The Butcher, Rip Rogers and Carlos Colon. In 1989, he debuted under the identity of “T.N.T.” and once he had gained enough wrestling experience, he was sent back to the United States.

World Wrestling Federation

Following a series of television spots hyping his character, Rivera made his WWF debut under a mask, as Kwang the Ninja in late 1993 after being built up for several weeks through a series of vignettes. Originally managed by Harvey Wippleman, Kwang spent most of the following year as a “jobber to the stars,” and was best known for spitting green mist at his opponents, in the tradition of other mysterious “Asian” wrestlers, such as The Great Muta. On May 14, 1995, the Kwang gimmick was dropped, as Rivera appeared in street clothes during the WWF first In Your House pay-per-view. When wrestler Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) was being attacked after a match by Jeff Jarrett and The Roadie, Rivera jumped over the rails and “rescued” Razor Ramon. Later on in the PPV, Ramon introduced his rescuer as his friend, the fiery Puerto Rican Savio Vega. He is a Black Puerto Rican

Vega enjoyed some measure of popularity during the remainder of 1995. He competed four times in one night at the King of the Ring, beating IRS, Yokozuna and The Roadie before losing to Mabel in the finals (his match against IRS was a qualifying match for the spot vacated by the injured Ramon). The next night on Monday Night RAW, Vega came within inches of defeating Goldust for the Intercontinental Title. This would be the closest to title contention he would come in his WWF career.

In 1996, Vega fought Stone Cold Steve Austin in both men's Wrestlemania debut. A few months later, in a presentation called the Caribbean Strap Match at In Your House 8: Beware of Dog, Vega defeated Austin. Vega himself considers this his most important match. The match is historically significant for being the last time Ted Dibiase was seen on WWF programming until 2005 (if Vega won, DiBiase would have to leave the WWF). In 1997, he was an original member of the Nation of Domination with fellow wrestlers Crush (Bryan Adams) and Faarooq (Ron Simmons). Vega soon left that group and formed his own alliance known as Los Boricuas with Miguel Perez, Jose Estrada, and Jesus Castillo, which lasted over a year.

In late 1998, Vega competed in the WWF Brawl For All tournament, making it to the quarterfinals before he lost to Darren Drozdov. He was released later that year.

Semi-Retirement

In 2001, Vega announced his retirement from professional wrestling due to the vertebrae problems he had suffered since participating in the Brawl for All.

Savio Vega now works in an independent wrestling promotion, IWA:PR.

In October 2006, Savio Vega lost a Death Match to The Jackal™, in which Savio would retire from wrestling.

Finishing and signature moves

• Jumping High Kick
• Caribbean Kick (Spinning Heel Kick)

Championships and accomplishments

• Americas Wrestling Federation

• 1-time AWF Americas Champion

• International Wrestling Association

• 4-time IWA Heavyweight Champion
• 1-time IWA Hardcore Champion

• 1-time IWA Tag Team Champion

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated

• PWI ranked him #321 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the “PWI Years” in 2003.

• World Wrestling Association

• 1-time WWA World Heavyweight Champion
• 1-time WWA Puerto Rican Champion

• World Wrestling Council

• 5-time WWC Television Champion
• 3-time WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Champion
• 1-time WWC North American Heavyweight Champion
• 1-time WWC Tag Team Champion
• 1-time WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion
• 1-time WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Champion

• World Wrestling Entertainment

• 1-time Million Dollar Champion

Trivia

• As Savio, he was the first recipient of Steve Austin's Stone Cold Stunner.
• Nearly every move performed as Kwang was referred to as "A Ninja" to drive home the point.
• Main evented what is considered one of the worst WWE Pay-Per-Views ever in the King of the Ring 1995 against Mabel.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans

External link

• 1966 births
• Puerto Rican professional wrestlers
• Living people
• World Wrestling Entertainment alumni