Konnan

At 60 years old, Konnan has this physical status:

Born Carlos Santiago del Marques (January 6, 1964), better known by his ring name, Konnan, is a Cuban professional wrestling celebrity, trainer, and former professional wrestler.

He is currently signed to Major League Wrestling (MLW) and Impact Wrestling.

In Impact, he is the president of The Latin American Xchange (LAX) and acts as a member of the creative team.

He has competed for national and international recognition in the United States and Mexico for almost three decades, winning fifteen titles in nine promotions.

He has also worked as a boss, color commentator, author, and creative consultant, mainly for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA).

Konnan is also a regular rapper outside of wrestling. He is most well-known to American audiences as a member of the nWo stable and as part of the Filthy Animals.

He created The 3Live Kru for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in the early 2000s and later the Latin American Xchange (LAX) stable there as well.

Konnan, the first-ever CMLL World Heavyweight Champion, and the current head of the Foreign Legion in AAA when they were the top stable in the world.

Konnan held the all-time attendance record in Mexico City, as well as cities such as Tijuana, Guadalajara, Torresco, and Nuevo Laredo at one point, and is currently ranked as "The Mexican Hulk Hogan" for breaking attendance records around the region.

Konnan also broke the attendance record in Los Angeles when he headlined AAA's first Los Angeles show, and the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena held a sell-out, turn-away crowd.

He was also instrumental in the development of Lucha Underground, where he had intended to act as a writer and producer but ended up in an on-camera role as Prince Puma's boss during the first season. Konnan is known to have spoken out, and he has been vocally critical of promotions that he believes have mistreated him personally or the company in general.

He has been vocal against what he sees as bigotry against Latino wrestlers in US promotions – he and TNA refused to help them and Ron Killings, and WWE for issues involving Latino wrestlers Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio, but he has also fallen into dispute with AAA over what he saw as non-payment of talent.

Early life

Carlos Santiago Espada Moises, a Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrant, was born in Santiago, Cuba. He and his mother arrived in Boston in 1966. Richard Ashenoff, a young half-Jewish, half-Puerto Rican private investigator from Boston, arrived in Boston shortly after landing in Boston. Carlos and Julia married soon after and raised Carlos together. The family was moved to Carol City, South Florida, by 1967. Carlos Ashenoff, Carlos' legal name, was listed in Richard's official announcement when he adopted him as Carlos Ashenoff.

Ashenoff had gotten into stealing cars by 1976, under the influence of older relatives and neighbors. He learned how to drive at 12, learned to box, and was a "good weightlifter." Before arriving at Miami Senior High, Ashenoff was kicked out of several colleges. He graduated from Miami Senior High School a year before, and was arrested and charged as a juvenile with credit card theft and motorcycle theft. Ashenoff was arrested and charged as an adult in 1982, right after his 18th birthday. He had the option of going to prison or joining the military. He opted for the latter, joining the US Navy.

Ashenoff was transferred to San Diego and assigned to a destroyer tender in the Pacific Fleet's US Cape Cod (AD-43). In 1983, he captured the California state (amateur) Middleweight Boxing Championship. He had intended to qualify for the Junior Olympics in boxing but he hurt his shoulder in preparation and was sent to the Middle East immediately after the US Embassy bombing in Beirut on April 18, 1983. The US Marine barracks (along with the French paratrooper barracks) in Beirut were bombed on October 24, 1983, and his ship was in the Strait of Hormuz. The Cape Cod was rotated out of the Persian Gulf by 1984. Ashenoff earned an honorable discharge after returning to San Diego.

Source

Professional wrestling career

Konnan met John Roberts in San Diego. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer discusses Ashenoff's first foray into professional wrestling: the first time in a wrestling career.

Ashenoff made his Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) debut on January 6, 1988, Billed as El Centurión ("The Centurion"), and he was unveiled at Centurion ("The Centurion" in Spanish.

He competed for many different positions in the early part of his career. Konnan fought for the UWA Heavyweight championship against El Canek at UWA 14 on January 29, 1989, and later wrestled six- and eight-man tag matches intermittently for the promotion until 1994, with Dos Caras, Mascara Sagrada, and others. Since 1991, UWA's most of his matches were cross-promotions with EMLL and AAA.

Konnan El Barbaro ("Konnan the Barbarian") with Lizmark and Yoshihiro Asai against As Charro, Indio & Negro Casas on February 3, 1989, the World Wrestling Association's six-man match. Konnan joined Empresa Mexicana de la Lucha Libre (EMLL) later this year. He used Konnan El Barbaro with EMLL as well.

Konnan's first stint with World Championship Wrestling lasted only a few weeks. On December 16, 1990, he made his first appearance at Starrcade. Rey Mysterio, Sr., a Konnan assistant, entered the Pat O'Connor Memorial International Cup Tag Team Tournament, which was held at the conference. They defeated Norman Smiley and Chris Adams in the quarter-finals, but lost to the Steiner Brothers (Rick and Scott) in the semi-finals. Chuck Coates beat him on WCW Power Hour on January 19, 1991, winning a televised match on WCW Power Hour against him. Konnan will not return to the sport until 1996.

Konnan was first contacted by talent scout Pat Patterson on New Year's Eve 1990, which resulted in a meeting with Vince McMahon, where the first idea for what became Max Moon was discussed. "I was wrestling in Japan when this Japanese anime cartoon robot was on television firing confetti and fire," Konnan said. When I wondered who could create it, I asked if I knew anyone that could design it." Konnan was given a kit (purchased by the WWF at the cost of $13,000) bedecked with circuitry and a pyrotechnic rifle that fired sparkles into the crowd. Konnan recalled later that the costume cost resulted in problems between himself and the organization right from the start.

He was given a tryout in Amarillo, Texas, days later, defeating Ultraman. He returned to Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 26th, defeating Louie Spicolli in a WWF Superstars dark match. He would defeat Spicolli again in Reno on a Wrestling Challenge taping. Konnan appeared at a WWF Superstars taping in Daytona Beach, Florida, on January 7, 1992. He beat The Heartbreaker during his time as The Latin Fury. In a dim match at a Wrestling Challenge taping in Fort Myers, Florida, the next day he defeated The Juicer. Konnan would compete twice more as The Latin Fury, his last appearance at a house show in Hyannis, Massachusetts, on July 19, 1992, when he defeated Pete Doherty defeating him.

El Relámpago was renamed El Relámpago the next day, when he appeared at a WWF Superstars taping in Worcester, Massachusetts against The Mercenary. El Relámpago fought again against Luis Mendieta the next night.

Max Moon, a little over a month ago, received the gimmick that he'd be known for, but he was actually named The Comet Kid for a handful of appearances). The Moon character, designed by Konnan, was that of a cyborg from "The Future" or "Outer Space."

Konnan lost his mask to Perro Ayo in a Lucha de Apuesta mask versus hair match in EMLL. Disqualification was disqualified on June 9, 1991, which was disqualification. A young boy, introduced as Konnan's brother, joined the ring screaming and returned Konnan's mask, bringing a lot of cheers toward Konnan.

EMLL officially changed its name to Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in 1991 (CMLL). Konnan also became the first-ever CMLL World Heavyweight Champion later this year by winning a tournament made up of four matches at four venues, including an eight-out-of-three final match against Cien Caras on June 9, 1991.

Konnan and several other EMLL wrestlers joined Asistencia Asesora y Administración (AAA). He fought with Cien Caras by shortening his ring name to simply "Konnan."

Konnan made his WWF debut on September 1, 1992, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, during a Superstars taping under the name The Comet Kid, when he pinned Barry Horowitz. Konnan left the WWF after three televised matches, as a result of a spat with WWF owner Vince McMahon in 1992. Konnan was unable to attend WWF events due to his growing fame in Mexico, as well as his alleged "poor attitude" and heat from fellow WWF employees, resulting in a tense relationship with McMahon, who had invested heavily in the Max Moon character both financially and artistically up until that point.

Konnan was still working in Mexico while WWF was under contract, and he was also appearing in "El abuelo yo," a Mexican telenovela aimed at children. Although Mexico was becoming more popular, he wasn't as concerned about making it in America. "Wrestling was so hot in Mexico because they had lifted the 30-year ban on wrestling on television in Mexico City." I was able to cash in on the raging success of wrestling. On several weekends, I was wrestling three times in a day. The amount of work was staggering. It was similar to when Raw and Nitro were fighting it out head on head, and there was plenty of jobs for everyone."

Some locker room rage was also present with the costume, Konnan's perceived attitude, and Konnan was also missing tapings because he was more popular in Mexico than WWF. In the end, the Max Moon character was given to Paul Diamond, who appeared as the protagonist on the first episode of Monday Night Raw on January 11, 1993. The character was shelved after a brief run.

Konnan lost two out of three falls retirement matches by counting out to Caras at Tripleman's I in Mexico City on April 30, 1993, tying the all-time attendance record for a Mexican wrestling match, which was the first time a Mexican wrestling match was held. Konnan did not comply with the match's rules and defeated Roberts in a hair versus hair competition at Tripleman's II on May 27, 1994, in Tijuana.

Konnan's Boyfriend, Art Barr and Madonna's Boyfriend, began a storyline in 1994 where he betrayed his tag team partner, Perno Ayo, and formed Los Gringos Locos. In a steel cage match, Ayo paid tribute to Konnan by defeating him in the only AAA pay-per-view series, "When World Collide." He later became the AAA booker. Konnan defeated Killer in Querétaro on February 2, 1996, becoming the first AAA Heavyweight Champion. After leaving AAA in October 1996 to create his own promotion, Promo Azteca, he vacated the title, and the class remained inactive until 2004. Konnan's Mexican wrestling career was hampered in the late 1990s by his American wrestling commitments, and Promo Azteca closed in 1998. After a six-year absence, he returned to the Mexican wrestling circuit in the 2000s, selling out arenas in Mexico City and Guadalajara.

Konnan joined ECW in 1995 and feuded with The Sandman after meeting Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) booker Paul Heyman while on a wrestling tour of Singapore. On November 18, 1995, he appeared at ECW's November to Remember, squashing Jason Knight. He also wrestled at an ECW and AAA joint promotion in Chicago, Illinois.

Konnan returned to WCW on a full-time basis on the January 22, 1996 edition of Nitro, where he announced that he would defend his "Mexico Heavyweight Championship" against Psicosis, the following night at Clash of the Champions, where Konnan retained the title. He was largely responsible for the recruitment of several well-known Mexican wrestlers by the WCW, including Rey Mysterio Jr., Psicosis, Juventud Guerrera, and La Parka. On January 29, 1996, Konnan defeated One Man Gang for the United States Heavyweight Championship. He continued to fight his IWAS and AAA Heavyweight Championships in Mexico during his reign (these championships were labeled as a "Mexico Heavyweight Championship" whenever Konnan wore one or the other to a WCW ring). Konnan defended the United States Heavyweight Championship against One Man Gang at Slamboree and El Gato before losing the title to Ric Flair on July 7 at Bash at the Beach due to foul interference from Flair's valet Miss Elizabeth and Woman.

Konnan turned a criminal and joined the Dungeon of Doom several months after losing the United States Championship. Nevertheless, the gimmick was still on its way out. Kevin Sullivan, the stable's source, said in a retrospective interview in July 2016, Konnan "didn't fit in The Dungeon of Doom." He was compelled into it. Sullivan also lauded Konnan for his professionalism: [He's] a natural performer and has a keen eye for wrestling. He should not have been on his own. He's got all the steam he had by bringing him together. He brought the luchadors into WCW, so he had a big effect on professional wrestling."

On July 14, 1997, Konnan joined the New World Order (nWo). Konnan created the term "K-Dogg" in reference to a youth-based gimmick and was dubbed "K-Dogg" in honour. Konnan feuded with the Luchadores with whom he had traveled to WCW during his first stint in the nWo. During this story, he wrestled in a Mexican Death match against Rey Mysterio, Jr., and a match against Juventud Guerrera at Uncensored in March 1998. On the May 4, 1998, episode of Nitro, Konnan joined the nWo Wolfpact, led by Kevin Nash. The Wolfpac feuded with nWo Hollywood, led by Hollywood Hogan, and became tweeners. Konnan defeated Chris Jericho for the World Television Championship on November 30, 1998. His reign lasted until December 28, 1998, when he lost to nWo Hollywood actor Scott Steiner on Nitro due to Buff Bagwell's interference. When the two halves of the nWo united in January 1999, Konnan was kicked out of the nWo for standing up for Rey Mysterio, Jr., Jr., and Lex Luger was sacked. As a result, he became a celebrity and joined Mysterio to fight the nWo. The Outsiders defeated Mysterio's mask while feuding with nWo member Lex Luger, Konnan, and Mysterio, Jr., defeating The Outsiders at SuperBrawl IX, with The Outsiders destroying Mysterio's mask in the process. Konnan chastised WCW for failing to honor Mexican wrestling culture by writing storylines that culminated in multiple Mexican wrestlers being unceremoniously dismissed (Juventud Guerrera, Psicosis, and Mysterio). He likened a luchador's request to "going to Japan and informing the Japanese that they must eat with a fork instead of chopsticks."

Konnan was kicked out of the NWO Wolfpact on January 11, 1999. After his unmasking and the Filthy Animals theme for a week before it was replaced with "The Reason" a week later, Rey Mysterio's theme song would later become Rey Mysterio's theme song. Konnan spent months fighting Disco Inferno, before he started a feud with Stevie Ray. He and Mysterio formed an alliance with Master P and his No Limit Soldiers and battled with the West Texas Rednecks. Konnan established the Filthy Animals stable after Master P. did not return to WCW. The Filthy Animals' Richard Mysterio defeated Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) in the WCW World Tag Team Championship on October 18, 1999. They had been due to defend the MGM Grand Garden Arena against Harlem Heat in October 24, 1999, but Mysterio was announced on the night of the contest as ill. The title was then contested in a three-way tag match pitting Konnan and Billy Kidman, representing the Filthy Animals, against Harlem Heat and the First Family (Hugh Morrus and Brian Knobs). After Stevie Ray pinned Morrus, Harlem Heat regained the title. Konnan and Kidman defeated Harlem Heat for the title on Nitro the next night, but Harris Brothers (Ron and Don Harris) defeated them on November 22, 1999.

Konnan was inactive in early 2000 after Bill Busch had been barred from the WCW for three months after he was ordered to be released, unhappy with the way he was being handled. Konnan was out for a few weeks after recovering from suspension and rebuilding the Filthy Animals, this time with a properly broken triceps muscle, and he was left bruised when Van Hammer threw Juventud Guerrera at him during a match, and Guerrera's elbow was caught with Konnan's upper arm when he attempted to reach him. The Filthy Animals of 2000 feud with other stables, including The Misfits In Action, The Natural Born Thrillers, and Team Canada. Lance Storm and Mike Awesome (representing Team Canada) defeated Hugh Morrus and Konnan at WCW's final pay-per-view event, Greed on March 18, 2001. On March 23, WCW's funds were transferred to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

Konnan returned to wrestling for a variety of independent promotions following the WCW's sale of WCW. He first appeared in Xtreme Pro Wrestling (XPW), where he competed in a tournament for the then-vacant XPW Television title on August 25, 2001. He defeated Johnny Webb and Vic Grimes in the first and second rounds, respectively, and then lost the final to Kaos. On October 13, 2001, he defeated Damian Steele in a match. In a "Loser Leaves XPW" match at XPW's Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, he wrestled Steele once more on November 24, 2001. Konnan was the match's champion.

Konnan competed in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany from October to December 2001, winning the World Wrestling All-Stars. He defeated Gangrel in his first match with the promotion on October 19, 2001. During his time in the promotion, he would win two more games against Gangrel, but his singles record was weak: he lost in the first round of the WWA Heavyweight Championship against Road Dogg on October 26, 2001, and lost three table matches against Norman Smiley on December 8, 2001. Konnan's tag-team record was much higher: between Lenny Lane and Lodi, better known as The West Hollywood Blondes in WCW), Konnan went 6-0 teamed with Nathan Jones from November 27 to December 11, 2001.

Konnan won the World Wrestling Council's National Wrestling Council in 2002, beating Thunder and Lightning on May 26, 2002, in a no-contest match against Sandman at XPW New Year's Revolution 2.

Konnan appeared on the inaugural Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) pay-per-view in Huntsville, Alabama, on June 19, 2002. He joined the Gauntlet for the Gold match of the contested NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but Malice denied him and subsequently was slammed and ultimately dismissed by Malice. He then moved to Maximum Xtreme Pro Wrestling, where he lost another heavyweight title match, this time against Simon Diamond for the MXPW Heavyweight Championship. On returning to World Wrestling Council, he lost by disqualification to Carly Colón in a match for the Universal Heavyweight title at WWC 29th Aniversario on September 14, 2002. Konnan gained the title by beating Colón on November 2, 2002, only to lose the title to Colón 21 days later.

Konnan defeated Norman Smiley twice in singles matches on November 28 and 29, 2002, and defeated Nate Webb in three minutes at WWA The Retribution in Glasgow, and returned to World Wrestling All-Stars in November and December 2002. Konnan teamed with Smiley against Disco Inferno and Malice for three matches between December 8th and Malice in 2002, and he took all three matches.

In May 2003, Konnan made two final appearances for the World Wrestling All-Stars before the promotion was canceled. In September 2003, he appeared in a tag match with MXPW's Norman Smiley. These will be his last extended stints in the independent circuit for nearly a decade.

Konnan returned to TNA on February 12, 2003 and formed the Authentic Luchadores, a short-lived villainous partnership with fellow Hispanic wrestlers Juventud Guerrera, Super Crazy, and The S.A.T. The Announcement Team in Spain has been working on an Argentinian calendar. Lynn argued that lucha libre and that he loved his Mexican opponents well before he lost Konnan's friendship.

Konnan began working with B.G. in May and June 2003. James and Ron Killings, together with John Killings in July 2003, formed the 3 Live Kruze in a stable named after the three brothers. The Kru first wrestled as a unit on August 13, 2003, defeating The New Church (Sinn, Vampire Warrior, and Tempest). The Kru defeated Simon Diamond, Johnny Swinger, and Glenn Gilberti in a six-man tag team match with the vacant NWA World Tag Team Championships on the line on November 26. All three Kruton members were able to defend the championship until January 28, 2004, when they were defeated by Kevin Northcutt and Legend in Nashville. The Kru started assisting Ron Killings' quest to become the NWA World Heavyweight Champion after several failed attempts to regain the tag title. The Elite Guard, Ced Collyer, Hotstuff Hernandez, and Onyx were among the Kru later feuded with Jart's mercenaries, The Elite Guard.

Konnan returned to Asistencia Asesora y Administración, his first appearance at AAA Sin Limite - Guerra De Titanes 2004 when he was with TNA, on May 12, 2004. Konnan was partnered with Rikishi and disqualified from Cibernetico and La Parka by disqualification.

In a ten-man tag team match on July 14, 2004, the 3 Live Kru, Dusty Rhodes, and Larry Zbyszko defeated Jarrett, Ken Shamrock, and the Elite Guard. In August 2004, the Krus began feuding with Team Canada, and Victory Road, Vancouver, 2004, defeated Team Canada members Bobby Roode and "Showtime" Eric Young for the NWA World Tag Team Championships. Team Canada regained the trophy on December 5, 2004, at Turning Point, with the help of the injured Johnny Devine.

The Krugers feuded with Michael Shane and Kazarian, Team Canada, and The Naturals in early 2005. Since James' former tag team companion, Billy Gunn, joined TNA as "The New Age Outlaw" and began trying to convince James to upgrade their extremely popular tag team, the New Age Outlaws, arose. Konnan and Killings feuded over The Outlaw and "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown, with James' loyalties divided. Konnan was also feuding with Valianto and La Parka in AAA from March 2005 to present. The feud continued in an irregular fashion throughout 2006.

Brown and The Outlaw, who had been renamed himself "Kip James," defeated Konnan and Killings at No Surrender on July 17, 2005, with James refusing to assist either team or team. Konnan and Killings became increasingly ill, with one of them calling themselves "the "2Live Kru." On August 14, 2005, the two teams met in a No Surrender rematch at Sacrifice, with James as the guest referee and James reaffirmed his loyalty to the Kru, winning the match and forcing Konnan to pin him and win the tie. Following the match, the Kru, who appears to have been undivided, was apparently celebrated.

Kip James began assisting the 3 Live Kru, and on October 23, 2005, at Bound for Glory, he saved Konnan from a beating by Team Canada. B.G.'s Impact!, which is on Monday, is an animated cartoon. James brought Kip James and the 3 Live Kruzi to ringside, after Killings and Konnan asked if James will join the stable. Following a tense debate between Konnan and B.G., both Killings and Konnan gave their consent and the 4 Live Kru was born. In an eight-man tag match at Turning Point, the 4 Live Krueff defeated Team Canada. Konnan attacked both B.G. and G.G. during the match. Kip James and the emo.

Konnan talked to B.G. on December 31, 2005, the fifth episode of Impact! Bob Armstrong, Armstrong's father, told Armstrong that he was a "hothead" and that he should accompany him backstage for an apology. Konnan turned heel by guiding Armstrong into an ambush in the custody of Apolo and the debuting Homicide, rather than apologizing. The trio, who later became known as The Latin American Xchange (LAX), then ordered an unconscious Armstrong to tell B.G. "Take care of their own business," Kip and Kip are told. Konnan and Homicide defeated The Naturals in Final Resolution on January 15, 2006. He was replaced by Machete after TNA's release of Apolo, who had been barred from LAX by Konnan and Homicide. Konnan and Bob Armstrong began feuding in subsequent weeks. Konnan took on Armstrong in a "Arm Wrestling Challenge" on April 8, 2006; the match came to a no-contest after LAX member Hernandez assaulted Armstrong. Konnan was defeated by Armstrong in an arm wrestling match that was held within the confines of a steel cage at Lockdown on April 23, 2006; each member of the LAX received ten lashes from the James Gang following the match.

Konnan's May 2006 was a whizney. He appeared in AAA for the first time on May 1, 2006 (with Chessman & Ron Killings), losing to El Zorro, Octagon & Vain Limite at AAA Sin Limite. He was quickly appointed as the head of the stable, which was operating through 2009. Konnan became the TNA Impact in the same month! Color commentator Pablo Montoya. In addition, he and the LAX began a storyline in which they refused to wrestle (as well as himself and Moody Jack, who refused to comment), alleging that Latinos were discriminated against within TNA.

Konnan appeared in San Diego's first lucha libre festival on June 24, 2006. "Unfortunately, there has never been lucha libre in the South Bay, and there has never been a lucha libre for la raza," he said. Finally, they will be able to see the lucha libre on television live here a few minutes from their house."

Konnan underwent hip replacement surgery in early 2007, and his TNA appearances from then on saw him frequently using a wheelchair. Konnan and Ron Killings left TNA in June. Konnan gave several interviews about the drug use in pro wrestling around the time, most notably to the New York Daily News, who said that Konnan's "hip degenerated after years of steroid use and the physical toll of his sport," and that "painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs destroyed [his] kidney." On his podcast several years later He would revisit the subject on his podcast. On July 23, 2007, He successfully underwent kidney transplantation.

Konnan also returned to Asistencia Asesory Administración, making his first appearance at AAA Sin Limite - Guerra De Titanes 2004. Konnan was teamed with Rikishi but after disqualification, Konnan was disqualified to Cibernetico and La Parka. Konnan was also feuding with Valianto and La Parka in AAA from March 2005 to date. Throughout 2006, the feud raged sporadically. He made his first appearance with La Legión Extranjera on May 1, 2006 (with Chessman and Ron Killings), losing to El Zorro, Octagon, and Valiant Canadiense at AAA Sin Limitée. He was soon to be the head of the stable, which was in operation through 2009.

Konnan attended the first lucha libre festival in San Diego on June 24, 2006. "Unfortunately, there has never been lucha libre in the South Bay, and there has never been a lucha libre for la raza." They will finally be able to see the lucha libre on television live here a few minutes from their house.

Despite leaving TNA in June 2007, Konnan did not wrestle for AAA until October, and only sparred in four matches during the remainder of the year due to his aforementioned surgeries. Konnan returned to World Wrestling Council at WWC Euphoria Tour 2008, with Ron Killings of the 3 Live Kruz losing a tag team match against Eddy and Orlando Colon. Konnan sued TNA for bigotry and bigotry in March 2008, claiming that although the company promised to pay for his hip replacement surgery, they didn't. Konnan also claimed that TNA paid for Scott Steiner's surgery, but that Ron Killings' surgery took place around the same time.

Konnan participated in a "Eight Man Domo De La Muerte Steel Cage Winner Gets Control Over AAA" match in which La Legión Extranjera (consisting of Konnan, Electroshock, Kenzo Suzuki, and Rellik) defeated La Parka, Latin Lover, Octagon & Super Fly) defeated La Parka, La Mane, La Mauerte, La Connan, October 24, 2008, La Rellik) took part of Konn, Konnan defeated La Konn, Konnan, Konnan, Konnan, Konn Hei &apose &Relo Te In &Re, Konnan Kenzo Suzuki, Konnan, Kenzo Suzuki, and Rellik, Octa, Octa, Octa, La La Lover, Octa, Octa & Super Fly's, Octa & Super Fly, & Super Fly, Octa, La & Super Fly'ste, Konnan, Konnan, Konnan &Relaki, Konnan. Konnan lost a Hair vs. Vaino Canadiense has a hair match against Valiant Canadiense. He continued to wrestle with La Legión until February 2010.

Cibernetico & Konnan defeated Dr. Wagner Jr. and Silver Cain, Electroshock & Super Fly, and Los Angeles Par-K & La Parka to become the champions in a Four Way Elimination Match for the coveted AAA Parejas Incin & Super Fly title on June 12, 2010. Konnan appeared in his last official match for AAA on October 1, 2010, pitting Joe Lider and Nicho el Millonario as La Hermandad Extrema against the threesome of Damian 666, Halloween, and Konnan as La Sociedad. Konnan's team lost the game.

Konnan made a string of appearances for independent television since being introduced as a performer for El Hijo de Perez del Mal on November 6, 2010. PDM War at Auditorio Municipal Fausto Moreno in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. La Sociedad defeated Charlie Haas, Super Crazy, & Tony Wilson.

Konnan, along with El Canek and El Rayo de Jalisco Jr., defeated Los Hermanos Dinamita (Cien Caras 2000, and Universo 2000) by disqualification at the International Wrestling Revolution Group's Festival De Las Mascaras 2011 in Naucalpan, Mexico, Mexico. He then competed in a Mixed Five-on-four Handicap Match in Pachuca, Mexico, where the team of Dr. Wagner Jr., Electroshock, El Elegido & El Zorro defeated Konnan, Chessman, Jennifer Blake, Mini Psicosis & Nicho el Millonario defeated Konnan, Chessman, Jennifer Blake, Pachuca, Mexico's Part II, participated in a el Millon, El Zorro el Millon el Millon el Millon, El Zorro el Millon & El Zorro & El Zorro & El Zorro & El Zorro & El Zorro & El Zorro el Millon & El Zorro & El Zorro & El Zorro & El Zorro & El Millon & El Zorro & El Millon, Pachine, Pachony & El Zorro & Konnan and Nicho el Millonario were wrestling in an event for Promociones MV held at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Moreno in Tijuana, Mexico, Mexico, on October 7, 2011.

Konnan appeared in a 20-man Battle Royal at The Westin Los Angeles Airport in Los Angeles, California, on January 28, 2012, featuring Brutus Beefcake, Gangrel, Greg Valentine, and others. The Godfather eventually won the game. Konnan defeated The Convict at the High Impact Wrestling's Summer Invasion 2012 at Treaty Grounds in La Loche, Saskatchewan, Canada, on August 23, 2012.

Konnan was (in-storyline) fired from AAA on February 3, 2013. However, he returned to work on April 15, announcing that he was once more a top-ring performer. However, he later moved to other positions.

He told Stephen Dean Johnson of SLAM!

He is "kind of a jack-of-all trades with Triple AAA," he claims. I write, produce, act as an agent, and act as the international liaison for talent. I'm also on television as one of the top heels' chiefs. In the same interview, he teased the forthcoming deal that would lead to Lucha Underground. Konnan lost in what seemed to be his last match to date, in a six-man tag match on September 15, 2013. At an event held at the Santa Cruz County Fair in Watsonville, California, he, El Mariachi, and Kafu defeated Derek Sanders, Oliver John, and Valiantro Fantasma.

Konnan's left hip was replaced in August 2014. On Twitter, Alberto Del Rio's was also critical of WWE for "unprofessional conduct" over a suspected racial joke made by a WWE employee and a pending labor dispute involving Rey Mysterio, where WWE extended Mysterio's employment without authorization.

Konnan was announced in September 2014 as one of the AAA wrestlers to appear in El Rey network's latest television series Lucha Underground. He appeared in Prince Puma's first season as the boss of Fénix, Pentagón Jr., and Drago.

When El Hijo del Perro Ayo died in a freak accident during a match on March 20, 2015, Konnan was ringside at a show produced by the independent group The Crash in Tijuana, Mexico. He was not discovered until December 2017, when he was released.

Konnan said in February 2016 that he had lost his creative work in AAA and was now simply a consultant for the promotion. Several lawsuits regarding non-payment of employees followed him.

Konnan was appointed Head of Creative of Aro Lucha by the Spanish language.

Konnan, the founder of The Latin American Xchange, returned to Impact Wrestling in March 2017 as the head of The Latin American Xchange (Homicide, Ortiz, Santana, and Diamante). Konnan will now be a member of Impact Wrestling's creative team, as it was revealed on January 23, 2019.

Konnan returned to the AAA on June 4 in Verano de Escándalo, helping Jeff Jarn win the AAA Mega Championship against Rey Wagner and Rey Mysterio Jr. before being confronted by Fénix. Connan and his MAD team made their debut in Querétaro, on July 14, but La Parka interrupted them, igniting a rivalry.

Konnan, a wrestling manager for Pentagon Jr. and Fenix, among other AAA wrestlers, debuted in 2018 in Major League Wrestling as a manager for Pentagon Jr. and Fenix. Low Ki, the MLW World Heavyweight Champion, and his clients have engaged in a feud with him. Konnan defeated Low Ki in a no-disqualification match for his championship on December 14, 2018, but it was unsuccessful. When Low Ki, Ricky Martinez, and Hijo de L.A. Park decided not to stop attacking Konnan, the match was called off by the referee. Low Ki then "shanked" Konnan with some object, but Tom Lawlor came out to save the money.

Konnan returned to TNT for the first time since 2001, when he appeared on an episode of AEW Dynamite. Konnan reunited with former Los AngelesX members Santana and Ortiz, who were both battling for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and were also members of Chris Jericho's wrestling family Inner Circle during his appearance. The reunion took place at an Inner Circle party in Las Vegas. Konnan appeared at AEW's marquee event Double or Nothing on May 30, 2021. Konnan appeared in a Stadium Stampede match involving The Inner Circle, briefly assisting Santana and Ortiz during a match. Konnan appeared on the Dynamite on June 26, being supportive of Santana and Ortiz until their rivals FTR attacked them at the behest of Tully Blanchard on June 26, being disrespectful of Tully Blanchard.

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