Jose Luis Rivera is a professional wrestler from Puerto Rico. He is best known as being one half of the WWF tag team from the 80’s and 90’s – The Conquistadors.
Jose Luis Rivera started his career in the late 70’s in the Florida territory where took on many of its top stars. He ended up in the WWF and was used primarily as developmental talent. While in the WWF he locked horns with many of its stars at the time such as Greg Valentine, King Kong Bundy, John Studd, Roddy Piper and Bob Orton. It’s my pleasure to be speaking with a wrestler I remember watching back in the 80’s and 90’s – Jose Luis Rivera.
Lewis : Thank you for speaking with me to day Jose. First question. You began your career back in the 70’s. Tell us why you decided to become a professional wrestler and which promotion you started with.
Jose: Yes 1973 i started in a wrestling club back Brooklyn NY. I wrestled at the club for a few months then went to Paterson NJ for my first live wrestling show which was on channel 41 back then.
Lewis: Who were some of your wrestling heroes while growing up?
Jose: I loved Pedro Morales, Bruno Sammartino and Andre the Giant. I would just to go to MSG to watch wrestling as often as I can.
Lewis: You wrestled in the Florida area. Tell me some of the opponents you wrestled down in Florida as that was a hotbed of talent back in the 70’s and early 80’s
Jose: Yes i was in the NWA TAMPA area. There was Bob Orton, Angelo Poffo, The Assassin and Ricky Steamboat to name a few.
Lewis: What year did you make you debut in the WWWF?
Jose: In 1979, I was there for a few months then I went back in 1982 .
Lewis: You started as a heel and went by the name – Mac Rivera. When and who made the decision to change your name to Jose Luis Rivera and turn you face?
Jose: Yes but i actually started as Juan Lopez in the WWF back in1979 and then in 1982 I returned as Mac Rivera. Vincent Sr. then decided to change my name to Jose Luis Rivera and turn me face.
Lewis: I remember as kid watching you on TV back in the 80’s and you had a winning streak going on for a few weeks that was ended by Greg Valentine when they shot the angle that he broke your leg with the figure four. I was 13 at the time and I remember how mad I was that Valentine did that to you. I was hoping for a series of matches between you and Valentine but they never happened. Was there supposed to be a program between you two?
Jose: Yes we were supposed to have a big rematch in one of the big shows but it was scrapped for some reason.
Lewis: You were on Piper’s Pit as a boxing opponent for Bob Orton. Tell me how that came about and what was it like being on Piper’s Pit.
Jose: Yes Piper was a great man. He was always was good. Bob Orton needed someone one to box him on TV. Lanny Poffo actually told Vince Jr that I would be willing to box with Orton. Then he asked me if I would do it and of course I did. The rest is history.
Lewis : You were on the Jan 23rd 1984 MSG card when Hulk Hogan won his first WWF title. I believe your opponent was Tony Garea. Was there a buzz backstage? Did you know something special was going to happen that night or was it kept under wraps?
Jose: Yes i knew Hogan was going to win the title. Tony and I had a great match that night.
Lewis: What was your opinion of other enhancement wrestlers back in the 80’s such as Johnny Rodz, SD Jones, and Rick McGraw?
Jose: Man, those wrestlers were the best at what they were doing. I have a lot of respect for all of them. It was those guys that made the stars look good just like me and Jose Estrada. We were all in the same spot back then.
Lewis: You were 1 half of the original Conquistadors with Jose Estrada. Who came up with the idea of The Conquistadors?
Jose: Me and Estrada. I asked Vince if he liked the idea of me and Estrada as a latin tag team. He liked the idea and we decided on doing the gold costume gimmick.
Lewis: In your opinion, what was the best match the Conquistadors ever competed in?
Jose: Against The Rockers. We always had great matches with them.
Lewis: How did you feel when you saw Edge and Christian play the part of The Conquistadors?
Jose: That was really a joke. The fans know the difference.
Lewis: Do you currently watch today’s WWE product? If so, what is your opinion of it and who are some of your favourite wrestlers today?
Jose: I watch with my little 5 year old son. He loves wrestling. I like Randy Orton and John Cena. The ladies are great too. In 13 years my son will be in the WWE and will be a great wrestler.
Lewis: You still appear in terrific shape today. How do you keep in great shape?
Jose: I work out in a gym and I will be wrestling again. I have a booking coming up in the next few months in the USA that you will hear about soon. I currently wrestle for a promoter in Puerto Rico.
Lewis: Last Question – Who do you have at WM 32 – Triple H or Roman Reigns?
Jose: At Wrestlemania you never know. Triple H is the boss but I like Roman Reigns as he is my Amigo’s son.
I remember him when I was a kid – a beat-up guy on Superstars and Wrestling Challenge – I say that affectionately too.
Cuz the guy was a good wrestler.