Cruz Del Toro Bio
Raúl Mendoza, who performs under the ring name Cruz Del Toro, is a Mexican professional wrestler born on November 25, 1991, in Cosio, Aguascalientes, Mexico. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 190 pounds, he has been a fixture in the wrestling world since making his professional debut in 2006. Since 2016, he has been signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he has competed under the banners of NXT, 205 Live, SmackDown, and most recently Raw.
Best known to modern audiences as Cruz Del Toro, Mendoza is a founding member of the faction Legado Del Fantasma and a current member of the Latino World Order. Over the course of his career, he has also competed under the ring names Jinzo, Ronnie Mendoza, and Tribal, building a reputation as a versatile performer across promotions in Mexico, Japan, and the United States.
Early Life and Background
Raúl Mendoza was born and raised in Cosio, a small community in the central Mexican state of Aguascalientes. Growing up in a country with one of the most storied wrestling traditions in the world, he was immersed in the world of lucha libre from an early age. The cultural significance of masked wrestling in Mexico shaped his interest in the craft and laid the foundation for his future career.
From his childhood in Aguascalientes, Mendoza was drawn to the athleticism and storytelling that defined Mexican professional wrestling. He trained rigorously to prepare for the demands of the ring, and by his teenage years, he was ready to test his skills against seasoned opponents. His local upbringing and dedication to the sport ultimately set the stage for his entry into the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Mendoza made his professional wrestling debut on September 16, 2006, at the age of 14, embarking on a career that would take him across multiple countries and promotions. For the next decade, he primarily competed on the Mexican independent circuit, where he honed his craft and built a reputation as a promising young talent. His early work allowed him to develop the technical foundation and high-flying style that would later define his performances on the international stage.
During this developmental period, Mendoza appeared for several notable independent promotions, including Desastre Total Ultraviolento, Perros del Mal, and the International Wrestling Revolution Group. He also gained valuable experience working for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, one of Mexico’s largest national wrestling promotions, and made appearances in Japan with Pro Wrestling Noah. These diverse bookings exposed him to a wide range of styles and helped shape him into a well-rounded performer.
Cruz Del Toro Career
Early Career (2006–2016)
For ten years following his 2006 debut, Mendoza worked the Mexican independent circuit, facing a variety of opponents and refining his in-ring abilities. He competed in promotions known for their hard-hitting style, which gave him a reputation for toughness and adaptability. His willingness to travel and take on different challenges during this period helped him stand out as a rising talent within Mexico’s crowded wrestling scene.
By the time he reached the mid-2010s, Mendoza had accumulated experience with major Mexican names such as AAA and established himself internationally through his work with Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan. This combination of regional and overseas experience positioned him for the opportunity that would change his career trajectory.
WWE Cruiserweight Classic and NXT Debut (2016–2019)
In June 2016, Mendoza was announced as a participant in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, a 32-man single-elimination tournament showcasing the best cruiserweight talent from around the world. Representing Mexico, he was eliminated in the first round by The Brian Kendrick. Despite the early exit, his performance was enough to earn a contract with WWE, which assigned him to its developmental territory, NXT.
Mendoza made his NXT television debut on the May 25, 2017 episode, where he was defeated by Velveteen Dream. Over the following years, he competed on both NXT and 205 Live, including a battle royal win on February 9, 2018, that earned him a shot at the NXT Championship against Andrade "Cien" Almas the following night. He also debuted on 205 Live in July 2019, teaming with Humberto Carrillo to defeat Kalisto and Gran Metalik, and challenged NXT Cruiserweight Champion Lio Rush later that year.
Legado Del Fantasma Era (2020–2022)
In 2020, Mendoza was central to one of NXT’s most memorable storylines when he was abducted by masked men in the parking lot during an interview segment. The mystery unraveled in June of that year when Mendoza and fellow abductee Joaquin Wilde revealed themselves as the masked figures, aligning with Santos Escobar and attacking Drake Maverick to establish themselves as heels. The trio was officially named Legado Del Fantasma during night one of The Great American Bash.
Operating as a unit, Legado Del Fantasma quickly made an impact in NXT’s tag team division. Mendoza and Wilde competed in multi-team matches for the NXT Tag Team Championship, including a triple threat at NXT TakeOver XXX and a losers-take-all six-man tag at NXT TakeOver: In Your House. They also entered the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, reaching the semifinals before falling to eventual winners MSK. In April 2022, Mendoza’s ring name was officially changed to Cruz Del Toro, marking a new chapter in his WWE run.
Latino World Order and Raw Era (2022–Present)
On the October 7, 2022 episode of SmackDown, Cruz Del Toro joined Santos Escobar and Joaquin Wilde in moving to the blue brand alongside Zelina Vega. The faction’s dynamic shifted on March 10, 2023, when they aided Rey Mysterio against The Judgment Day, turning face in the process. Three weeks later, Rey Mysterio reformed the legendary Latino World Order and welcomed Legado Del Fantasma as members, honoring their support against his son Dominik and The Judgment Day.
The alliance fractured on November 10, 2023, when Santos Escobar defected from LWO and removed Vega, Wilde, and Del Toro from Legado Del Fantasma the following week. Undeterred, Wilde and Del Toro entered the 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, defeating Duke Hudson and Riley Osborne before losing to Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams in the semifinals. During the 2024 WWE Draft, the Latino World Order was selected for the Raw brand, where the group continues to perform.
Style and Strengths
Cruz Del Toro is recognized for his high-flying, lucha libre-influenced style, marked by quick strikes, agile movement, and an ability to adapt to a variety of opponents. His background in the Mexican independent circuit has given him a grounded technical base, while his experience in promotions like AAA and Pro Wrestling Noah has added international polish. Working alongside Joaquin Wilde has allowed him to showcase his teamwork and timing in the tag division.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career highlights, Mendoza’s Cruiserweight Classic appearance in 2016 marked his entry onto the global WWE stage. His role in the Legado Del Fantasma storyline of 2020, including the dramatic parking lot abductions, remains one of the most creative narrative arcs in recent NXT memory. Joining the reformed Latino World Order in 2023 and being drafted to Raw in 2024 further cemented his standing as a respected member of the WWE roster.
Cruz Del Toro Career Wins
While Cruz Del Toro has yet to capture singles or tag team gold on a WWE main roster, he has built a strong resume through his work in multi-team matches and tournaments. His most consistent achievements have come in tag team competition alongside Joaquin Wilde, where the duo has repeatedly challenged for top honors in NXT. The pair’s deep runs in tournaments such as the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic highlight their competitiveness at the developmental level.
NXT Highlights
Wilde and Del Toro have been perennial contenders in the NXT tag team division, frequently stepping into high-profile matches against teams like Breezango, MSK, and the Grizzled Young Veterans. Their semifinal finish in the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and another semifinal run in 2024 underscore their reputation as a reliable and entertaining team. Although championship gold has eluded them, their match quality has earned them consistent opportunities.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond WWE, Mendoza’s decade on the Mexican independent circuit provided the foundation for his later success, including appearances in major events for AAA and stints in Japan with Pro Wrestling Noah. His longevity and adaptability across promotions remain among his most distinguishing achievements.
Cruz Del Toro Family
Family Background and Wrestling Lineage
Public information about Raúl Mendoza’s family background remains limited, with no widely verified details about his parents or siblings available through official sources. His roots in Cosio, Aguascalientes, however, connect him to a region with deep ties to Mexican cultural traditions, including lucha libre. This heritage has clearly influenced his path into professional wrestling.
Personal Life
Details about Cruz Del Toro’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, are not publicly documented in verified sources. He continues to focus on his in-ring career and his commitments to WWE’s Raw brand.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Cruz Del Toro remains a key member of the Latino World Order on the Raw brand, where the group continues to operate following the 2024 WWE Draft. With LWO now firmly established on the red brand, Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde are expected to remain central figures in the faction’s ongoing storylines. Their experience as a tag team positions them as reliable competitors whenever the division needs depth.
The 2025 calendar offers several opportunities for Del Toro to build on his recent tournament performances, including another potential run in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. As WWE continues to feature the Latino World Order prominently on Raw television, Del Toro’s role within the faction could expand into more significant singles or tag title opportunities. His combination of in-ring ability and storyline experience makes him a steady contributor to the brand’s weekly programming.
Looking ahead, the partnership between Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde, along with the rest of the Latino World Order, will likely remain a focal point of the Raw tag team and midcard divisions throughout the year. With a full schedule of live events and premium live appearances on the horizon, Del Toro has the platform to add new highlights to an already well-traveled career.
