Former WWE Superstar Cinta de Oro, better known as Sin Cara during his decade-long stint in the Stamford-based promotion, recently opened up about a pivotal creative decision that left him profoundly unsettled.
The wrestling veteran, who gained prominence for his iconic Luchador mask, revealed that the transition to his alter ego, Hunico, was a challenging period in his career.
In an exclusive interview on Sportskeeda’s UnSKripted, Cinta de Oro expressed his dissatisfaction with the shift, particularly because it meant relinquishing the cherished Luchador mask that had become synonymous with his identity.
Recalling the moment, he shared his initial concerns about the direction his career would take:
“I was, honestly, very, very devastated because I had never wrestled without a mask in my career. I was like, where am I gonna go from here? After this happens, where is my career going? Am I gonna get a push? Am I gonna be pushed to the side?” [17:29 onwards]
The significance of the Luchador’s mask in professional wrestling is profound, and Cinta de Oro’s sentiments reflected the emotional attachment he had to his iconic persona. Describing the experience of wrestling without his mask, he vividly expressed the sense of discomfort:
“Without a mask, I felt like I was naked. I didn’t feel it was me. I felt like I was out of place. It was a good time at the same time; it was a great learning experience, but now that I got back under the mask in 2013, it becomes a part of you.” [6:42 onwards]
Despite the challenges, Cinta de Oro acknowledged the learning experience during his tenure as Hunico, and the significance of his Luchador identity became even more pronounced when he returned to wearing the mask in 2013.
Having bid farewell to WWE in 2019, the 46-year-old wrestling veteran has since found a new home in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide’s annual Guerra de Titanes, and he continues to make his mark in the Mexican independent circuit.
Cinta de Oro’s journey reflects the resilience and adaptability of a seasoned performer, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of professional wrestling.
