Cassandro Immortalized: El Paso Unveils Stunning Mural of Lucha Libre Legend

In a powerful tribute to one of El Paso’s most beloved icons, a brand-new mural of famed luchador Cassandro El Exótico now shines brightly at Lincoln Park. This park is a living, breathing canvas of Chicano culture, community power, and local pride.

A Borderland Legend with Global Fame

Born Saúl Armendáriz, Cassandro broke barriers in the macho world of lucha libre by proudly wrestling as an exótico. Traditionally, exóticos were flamboyant, gender-bending characters used as comic relief. But Cassandro wasn’t a punchline. He became a champion, an international icon, and a proud representation of LGBTQ+ visibility in a world that wasn’t always welcoming. Known for his dazzling robes, fearless acrobatics, and fierce resilience, Cassandro is more than just a wrestler. He’s a cultural touchstone.

Over a decades-long career, he wrestled across continents, inspired a biopic starring Gael García Bernal, and remained rooted in his hometown of El Paso. Now, Cassandro has taken his place among the other legends at Lincoln Park, where murals speak louder than words.

The Mural That Almost Wasn’t

El Paso artist Tino Ortega, known for his vibrant and emotional work, was first asked by Cassandro to create a mural in 2018 during the filming of Cassandro, the Exótico! But life took a turn. After Cassandro suffered a stroke, the idea was shelved until now.

“This mural in itself has been a couple of years in the making,” Ortega said at the unveiling. “These murals up here in Lincoln Park are very important because they’re about our local culture, the Chicano culture, and of local legends as well.”

The mural is now proudly located at 4001 Durazno Ave, nestled in a park where art, culture, and resistance blend into every painted column. Cassandro’s image fits perfectly, surrounded by stories of struggle, survival, and triumph.

Dance, Color, and Community

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A post shared by Saul Armendariz (@cassandro_el_exotico)

Cassandro’s mural unveiling wasn’t just an art event. It was a celebration of heritage. Local group Danzar Azteca Omecoatl performed traditional Aztec dances in honor of the moment. The connection was deeper than performance. Cassandro himself has danced with the group for more than 20 years.

“He’s danced with us for decades,” Ortega noted. “His importance to the park is very, very noted. I wanted to make sure his footprint was definitely made here, and his image will be here for as long as time to come.”

From lucha libre rings to international stages, and now to the walls of El Paso’s most iconic art space, Cassandro’s legacy is stitched into the fabric of the city. This mural isn’t just paint on concrete. It’s a love letter to a fighter, a symbol, and a son of the Borderland.

And in Lincoln Park, that love will never fade.