Black Tiger Says Magnus Is Dead, Is Here To Take Over CMLL | INTERVIEW

Magnus is no more, and now the Emperor of CMLL has taken the mantle as Black Tiger to take over the wrestling world.

Magnus was recently given permission by Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre & New Japan Pro-Wrestling to become the ninth version of Black Tiger. He joins legends like Eddie Guerrero, Tomohiro Ishii, Mark Rocco, Silver King, and more in taking the mantle. After a victorious debut, he spoke to Fightful about his transformation.

MAGNUS IS DEAD; Black Tiger is here.

To kick off the interview, Black Tiger emphasized that his previous character, Magnus, is dead.

“I am doing very well, thank God, but let me tell you something: Magnus is dead. I’m asking you not to mention that name anymore, because around here, I’m Black Tiger ICHIBAN.”

After that statement, Black Tiger also spoke about taking the mantle as the character. He also explained what he will bring to the table & his feud with Tiger Mask.

“First of all, there’s a story behind this. Why? Because in my debut at FantásticaManía in 2024, my first match was against Tiger Mask—a Lightning Match—and of course, everyone knows it ended in a draw, but from that moment on, I proved what I was made of. At that time, I wore an outfit very similar to Black Tiger’s. Why? To throw Tiger Mask off balance. This year I also have the opportunity to compete at FantásticaManía, and we all know this is Tiger Mask’s retirement year—but it won’t be just any retirement… Black Tiger is going to retire him!”

Depredadores.

Magnus was part of the faction “Los Depredadores”. Among his factionmates were Volador Jr., Rugido, Vegas Depredador, Minos I, Minos II, Mercurio, and previously Magia Blanca & Dark Silueta. Since his transformation, many changes have been made within the faction, specifically him becoming Black Tiger & Volador Jr. joining the Don Callis Family. Black Tiger addressed these changes and how this will change his trajectory.

“Right now, everything’s up in the air. We don’t know what’s going to happen. What’s going on right now? Right now, I’m going through a Black Tiger phase; the Black Tiger era has just begun. You said it yourself: there was a phase; it was a different character; now, with Black Tiger, anything can happen. Black Tiger doesn’t recognize hierarchies, doesn’t recognize brothers, doesn’t recognize cousins, doesn’t recognize parents, doesn’t recognize anything. Right now, I’m blinded by rudeza, by the rage to prove what Black Tiger is made of. It doesn’t matter who it is, it doesn’t matter if it’s Volador, it doesn’t matter who stands in front of me. We’re going to move forward, show what we’re made of, and why we were given the opportunity to carry the name and the sacred mantle of Black Tiger. With the authorization of New Japan Pro Wrestling and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, we’re going to show why I was the one chosen to take down all these tecnicos and every wrestler who stands in my way.”

¡ÉL AMÓ Y SEÑOR!

Among his first appearances as Black Tiger, he teamed up with the reigning CMLL World Historic Light Heavyweight Champion, Averno. He spoke to us about teaming with his mentor in this new phase of his career.

“It’s worth noting that he’s currently one of my coaches; Averno is one of my mentors, so being able to team up with the king, El Amo y Senor—of course, for me, it’s a magnificent experience. Sharing the ring with my mentor—and, of course, he was one of the people who helped me humiliate Tiger Mask right from the start of the entire tournament tour. We humiliated guys like Tiger Mask, like Místico, like Máscara Dorada. Well, we fell short, just one step away from winning that cup, but, of course, we swept the floor and mopped the ring in every city in Japan with those paper idols.”

Generacion 2011.

At the start of his career in CMLL, the man previously known as Magnus was part of Generacion 2011. He was alongside Dragón Lee (not that one, but his brother, the man now known as Dralistico), Enrique Vera Jr., Hombre Bala Jr., Salcón Jr., Booby Zavala & Hijo del Signo.  Black Tiger detailed what had changed since he first arrived in CMLL to now, including his role in the company.

“It’s been very different because from the very beginning, I had been an on-and-off. I was never fully involved. I’d go back & forth. So what do I plan to do as Black Tiger? Give it my all, go on tour, wear CMLL’s jersey, etch it into my skin, carry New Japan with me, and represent them to the best of my ability anywhere in the world, because I’m here to build a solid career in CMLL from now on: no more on-and-offs, no breaks; being Black Tiger 100%. Being at CMLL’s top events and the world’s top events, and—why not?—represent the best flag: Mexican wrestling and also Puroresu wrestling with New Japan Pro Wrestling, because I want to give this sacred mantle my very best. I know there have been great competitors, but, as I mentioned, I’m going to give 100%, 1,000%, and 1,000,000% so that this version is the one everyone remembers for generations to come.”

LL

What’s next?

Finally, Black Tiger told us what some of his goals were now that he took the mantle as the 9th version of Black Tiger. He said he had his eyes on the CMLL World Tag Titles, more appearances in CMLL’s partners like AEW, MLW, RevPro, and more. He also mentioned he would be on the hunt for his cousin, the legendary Místico.

“Why not aim, alongside my mentor Averno, to win that CMLL World Tag Team Championship? I don’t know, maybe even win a singles championship, whether it’s the historic one or the World Council title. Why not also aim to compete in some of New Japan’s biggest tournaments, make it to the United States, and even go to Europe? We have many partnerships: RevPro, MLW, and AEW. We have many avenues to reach, so I just want the Black Tiger era to be known worldwide and to win singles championships. We also all know that there is a great idol here in Místico. We all know, too, that Místico is made of paper, that Místico doesn’t even give a tough guy a scratch, of course, least of all Black Tiger. So, Místico, I will corner you; I want to face you here at Arena México—and why not? To get even for everything you did at the Edion Arena in Osaka. You knocked me out of a major tournament: the NJPWFantastica Mania 2026 Tag Team Tournament. So now you’re going to pay, make no mistake, and you’re going to pay with blood.”

We’d like to thank Black Tiger for taking the time to answer these questions! We also wish him luck in this new phase of his career!

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