Primo & Epico

Primo & Epico

The Shining Stars in September 2016
Tag team
Members Primo/Diego
Epico/Fernando
Name(s) Los Matadores
Primo & Epico
The Shining Stars
Heights Primo:
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Epico:
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Combined
weight		 432 lb (196 kg)[2][1]
Billed from Plaza de Toros
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Former
member(s)		 A.W. (manager)
El Torito (mascot)
La Vaquita (mascot)
Rosa Mendes (valet)
Debut November 11, 2011[3]
Years active 2011–present
Promotions NXT[4]
WWC
WWE[3]

The Shining Stars are a professional wrestling tag team performing in WWE, under the Raw brand, the team is composed of real-life cousins Primo and Epico. The cousins are former WWE Tag Team Champions, with the title won during their first run as Primo & Epico, from 2011 to 2013. They also formerly performed as Diego and Fernando of Los Matadores, from 2013 to 2015 in WWE.

History

Primo & Epico (2011–2013)

On the November 4, 2011, episode of SmackDown, Epico debuted on the main roster as a heel and realigned with Hunico, his former partner from when both were masked in FCW.[5] On the November 11 episode of Smackdown, Primo, Epico's real-life cousin,[6] was in the corner of Epico when he teamed with Hunico in a winning effort against The Usos.[3] On the November 17 episode of Superstars, Primo & Epico beat the Usos.[7] On the December 1 episode of Superstars, Rosa Mendes aligned herself with the group as their valet, as they were quietly disassociated from Hunico.[8]

Primo & Epico then began a feud with WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom, beating both Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston in singles matches,[9] followed by two victories for Primo & Epico against Air Boom during non-title tag team matches on December 13 at WWE Tribute to the Troops[10] and the December 15 Superstars.[11] This earned Primo & Epico a shot at the titles at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view, but were unsuccessful.[12] Primo & Epico's feud with Air Boom continued with Air Boom triumphant in singles matches,[13][14] while Primo & Epico obtained yet another victory in a non-title tag match.[15]

Primo & Epico with Rosa Mendes at WrestleMania XXVIII

At a Raw live event on January 15, 2012, Primo & Epico defeated Air Boom to win the WWE Tag Team Championship.[16] The following night on Raw, Primo & Epico successfully defended their titles in a rematch.[17] Primo & Epico would go on to earn victories in non-title matches, defeating various teams such as Jim Duggan and Santino Marella, Mason Ryan and Alex Riley and The Usos; however, Primo & Epico would suffer non-title losses against the team of Kofi Kingston and R-Truth.[18] On the February 27 edition of Raw, Primo & Epico successfully defended their titles in a Triple Threat tag team match against the teams of Kingston and R-Truth & Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger.[19] In the pre-show of WrestleMania XXVIII, Primo & Epico successfully defended their titles in a triple threat tag team match against the Usos and Justin Gabriel & Tyson Kidd.[20] After WrestleMania, Primo & Epico suffered non-title losses to the teams of Big Show & The Great Khali and Santino Marella & Zack Ryder. Also, A.W. began offering his managerial services to the team, pointing out that the tag champions had been treated like jokes, being left off WrestleMania and Extreme Rules.[21] At the April 30 Raw, Primo & Epico lost the tag titles to Kingston & R-Truth.[22]

After losing the titles, Primo, Epico and Mendes joined A.W.'s talent agency in May.[23] However, after joining "All World Promotions", Primo & Epico would not wrestle on television until the No Way Out pay-per-view on 17 June. At No Way Out, it was revealed that Primo & Epico's 30-day rematch clause for the tag titles had expired, and that the duo had to compete in a four-way match against the teams of Justin Gabriel & Tyson Kidd, the Usos and The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil) to earn another title shot. During the match, A. W. betrayed Primo & Epico, directly costing them the match and aligning with the match winners, the Prime Time Players.[24] At the following Raw, Primo & Epico defeated the Players by count-out after O'Neil and Young walked out of the match.[25] Primo & Epico would wrestle as babyfaces for their feud against the Prime Time Players.[26] The tag teams would continue their feud on Superstars with Epico losing to Young and Primo beating both O'Neil and Young in singles matches.[27][28] At Money in the Bank, Primo & Epico defeated the Prime Time Players.[29] On the August 10 SmackDown, Primo & Epico faced the Players in a #1 contender match and were disqualified when champions Kingston & Truth attacked the Players; A.W. was released from WWE between that episode's taping and airing.[30]

After Primo & Epico ended their feud with the Prime Time Players in August, they reverted to being heels during a victory over the Usos.[31] Primo & Epico then went on to lose every televised match for the rest of 2012, with losses to Kingston & Truth, the Players, Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara, Team Co-Bro (Santino Marella & Zack Ryder), Team Rhodes Scholars, The Usos and to both Ryback and The Great Khali in handicap matches.[32] At the Survivor Series pay-per-view, Primo & Epico took part in a 10 man elimination tag team match, but were eliminated by Rey Mysterio and Tyson Kidd.[33] By the first SmackDown of 2013, Primo was on a 20 match losing streak, and Epico was at 17.[34] On the January 9 NXT episode, Primo & Epico broke their losing streaks with a win over Bo Dallas and Michael McGillicutty, their first win in months.[35] However, Dallas and McGillicutty gained revenge by defeating Primo & Epico in the first round of the NXT Tag Team Championship tournament to crown the inaugural champions.[36]

Los Matadores (2013–2015)

Los Matadores with El Torito in November 2013

In August 2013, WWE hyped the debut of "Los Matadores",[37] and on the September 30 episode of Raw, Primo & Epico debuted new characters, as Diego and Fernando of Los Matadores, a face team of two masked Spanish bullfighters with El Torito as mascot as they defeated 3MB.[38][39] Primo and Epico were named after the real life sons of Christopher Columbus (In Spanish, Cristobal Colón, Los Matadores' real last name).[40] It was the start of a winning streak that featured nine wins over 3MB (with El Torito wrestling in some matches), and also over the The Real Americans (Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger) at Hell in a Cell.[41] Also, El Torito was able to interfere in matches without incurring a disqualification for Los Matadores.[42][43] Los Matadores' winning streak was finally snapped on the January 24 episode of SmackDown in 2014, courtesy of The RybAxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel).[41]

On the March 5 episode of Main Event, Los Matadores received a tag team championship match against The Usos in which they were defeated. They also made an appearance as Primo and Epico alongside Carlito to induct Carlos Colón Sr. into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2014. At the WrestleMania XXX pre-show, they received a WWE Tag Team Championship shot against The Usos, RybAxel and The Real Americans, in a Fatal Four-Way Elimination Tag Team match, but lost after being the first team eliminated when Fernando submitted to Jack Swagger's Patriot Lock. On the June 23, WWE.com reported that Fernando was injured at a live event that past weekend. Despite this, Diego and El Torito would then start a short feud with Fandango.

After 3MB broke up, their former mascot Hornswoggle joined Los Matadores as "La Vaquita", a midget cow mascot accompanying Torito's bullness on the August 19 edition of Main Event. Fernando made his return as well in a losing effort to Slater-Gator (Heath Slater and Titus O'Neil).[44] At the WrestleMania 31 pre-show, Los Matadores competed in the Fatal Four Way tag team match, but they failed to win the titles. At Elimination Chamber, Los Matadores participated in the first-ever WWE Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber, but failed and got eliminated first by The Ascension. At SummerSlam, Los Matadores competed in a Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship in a losing effort when they were pinned by The New Day. On September 7, 2015 episode of Raw after losing to The Dudley Boyz, Los Matadores turned heel when Diego attacked El Torito after the match, however he was then put through a table by the Dudley Boyz. They were last seen on Main Event that week, minus El Torito, where they were defeated by The Prime Time Players.

The Shining Stars (2016–present)

From April to May 2016, several videos aired on Raw promoting the return of Primo and Epico, who revived their Puerto Rican gimmick under the new name The Shining Stars.[45] They were presented as arrogant heels, urging viewers to come to Puerto Rico, calling it the "Shining Star of the Caribbean."[46] On the May 16 episode of Raw, The Shining Stars debuted by defeating a local tag team in a squash match.[47] On the July 25 episode of Raw, the team returned to television where they were defeated by Enzo and Cass. On the September 5 episode of Raw, The Shining Stars defeated Enzo and Cass. The week after, Epico, accompanied by Primo defeated Enzo Amore, who was accompanied by Big Cass.[48] They then began showing tendencies of con men, trying to persuade various superstars to purchase timeshares to their Puerto Rican resort. This led to an alliance with Titus O'Neil, who was looking to cross-promote with them for his new "Titus Brand." The trio would enter a feud with The Golden Truth(Goldust and R-Truth) and Mark Henry.[49] On the November 7 edition of Raw, after R-Truth sold The Golden Truth's Survivor Series spot for a stay at a timeshare to The Shining Stars, both teams competed to qualify for the 10–on–10 Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination match, which Primo and Epico won.[50][51]

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

Primo & Epico as WWE Tag Team Champions

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Primo Colon profile". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  2. 1 2 "Tito Colon". Florida Championship Wrestling. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Tedesco, Mike. "Smackdown Results - 11/11/11". Wrestleview. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  4. ↑ http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwnm7d_nxt-s-match-of-the-night-wwe-nxt-1-9-13-primo-and-epico-vs-bo-dallas-and-michael-mcgillicutty-highli_sport
  5. ↑ Parks, Greg (2011-11-04). "Parks' WWE SmackDown report 11/4: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2011-11-05.
  6. ↑ "Epico CageMatch Profile". CageMatch. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  7. ↑ Namako, Jason. "Superstars Results - 11/17/11". Wrestleview. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  8. 1 2 James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE SUPERSTARS REPORT 12/1: WWE tag champion in main event, Santino, DiBiase, Slater". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  9. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE SUPERSTARS REPORT 12/8: Bourne returns to TV from suspension, Mason vs. Mac, Kidd vs. Gabriel, Swagger". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  10. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS REPORT 12/13: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of USA Network special". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  11. ↑ Namako, Jason. "Superstars Results - 12/15/11". Wrestleview. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  12. ↑ Martin, Adam. "PPV: WWE TLC". Wrestleview. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  13. ↑ Cupach, Mike. "CUPACH'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 12/23: Alt. perspective review of post-TLC episode, Bryan's first Smackdown as World champ". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  14. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE SUPERSTARS REPORT 1/5: New Year begins with familiar matches - Kidd vs. Yoshi, Tag champ in singles action, Rack vs. Clutch main event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  15. ↑ Parks, Greg. "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1/6: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show for the World Title". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  16. ↑ "Primo & Epico crowned WWE Tag Team Champions at WWE Live Event!". WWE. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  17. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 1/16: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw - Kane-Cena latest, Jericho Week 3, Clay Week 2". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  18. ↑ "Epico Matches 2012". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  19. ↑ Stephens, David. "Raw Results - 2/27/12". Wrestleview.
  20. ↑ Caldwell, James. "Pre-WM28 update - Tag Title result". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  21. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 4/23: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live three-hour Raw - Cena-Lesnar contract signing, surprise appearance in opening segment". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  22. ↑ Caldwell, James (30 April 2012). "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 4/30: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw Starring Brock Lesnar - PPV fall-out, Triple H returns". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  23. 1 2 Caldwell, James. "WWE storyline - A.W. signs talent trio". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  24. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE NO WAY OUT PPV REPORT 6/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - Cena vs. Show, potential "firings," who will A.J. choose?". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  25. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 6/18: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw #994 - PPV fall-out, Johnny says good-bye, Hunter-Heyman". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  26. ↑ "RAW STORYLINE TRACKER 7/16 - Raw 1,000 hype, Punk-Cena, A.J. & Bryan plan a wedding, Mysterio returns, Jericho-Ziggler". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 13 January 2013. Now Primo & Epico are babyfaces, and they lost their title shot that they’re entitled to, shouldn’t Kingston and Truth offer them a re-match. It seems, to me, to be the honorable thing to do.
  27. ↑ Namako, Jason. "Superstars Results - 6/28/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  28. ↑ Namako, Jason. "Superstars Results - 7/5/12". Wrestleview. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  29. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE MITB PPV REPORT 7/15: Complete "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - Punk vs. Bryan, Sheamus vs. Del Rio, two MITB matches". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  30. ↑ Parks, Greg. "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 8/10: Complete "virtual time" coverage of the Friday night show, including Dolph Ziggler as guest on Jericho's Highlight Reel". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  31. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE SUPERSTARS REPORT 8/30: Ryback feasts, Primo & Epico vs. Usos, Mahal main event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  32. ↑ "Primo in 2012". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  33. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 11/18: Complete "virtual time" coverage of live PPV - Punk-Cena-Ryback". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  34. ↑ Parks, Greg. "PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1/4: Complete coverage of Friday night show, including Sheamus & Orton vs. Big Show & Cesaro (updated w/Box Score)". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  35. 1 2 James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 1/9: Big E. captures NXT Title, Shield involved, PAC debut promo, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  36. ↑ James, Justin (January 31, 2013). "James's WWE NXT Results 1/30: Tournament continues, Bo Dallas in main event, returns of Bateman, A-Ry & Mason Ryan". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  37. ↑ Caldwell, James. "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 8/19 (Hour 3): Orton's Coronation in Main Event segment, Punk responds to Heyman". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  38. ↑ Stephens, David. "WWE Raw results - 9/30/13". WrestleView. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  39. ↑ Johnson, Mike. "Los Matadores Are....". PWInsider. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  40. ↑ http://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-news-details-on-arda-ocals-new-wwe-name-how-creative-named-los-matadores/
  41. 1 2 "Diego in 2014". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  42. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE Superstars report 11/21: Los Matadores, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  43. ↑ Parks, Greg. "Parks's WWE SmackDown report 1/10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Friday show, including Big E. Langston vs. Randy Orton in a champion vs. champion match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  44. ↑ http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwemainevent/2014-08-19
  45. ↑ http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-raw-live-results-post-wrestlemania-roman-reigns-champ-once-again-2104
  46. ↑ "The Shining Stars arrive next week: Raw, May 9, 2016". WWE. 2016-05-09. Retrieved 2016-05-10.
  47. ↑ http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2016-05-16/article/shining-stars-def-local-athletes
  48. ↑ http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?/sites/brianmazique/2016/09/12/wwe-monday-night-raw-results-winners-analysis-reaction-and-highlights-from-september-12/&toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2016/09/12/wwe-monday-night-raw-results-winners-analysis-reaction-and-highlights-from-september-12/&refURL=https://www.google.com/&referrer=https://www.google.com/
  49. ↑ http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2016-10-24#full-detail-40013562&toURL=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2016-10-24#full-detail-40013562/
  50. ↑ http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2016-11-07/article/the-shining-stars-def-the-golden-truth-to-qualify-for-the-5-on-5
  51. ↑ http://www.prowrestling.com/the-golden-truth-vs-the-shining-stars-raw-nov-7-2016/
  52. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE Superstars report 11/21: Kidd vs. Fandango "Total Divas" feud resumes, Los Matadores, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  53. ↑ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE SUPERSTARS REPORT 3/22: McIntyre on the comeback trail?, Tag & Divas Champs in action, Yoshi vs. NXT Rookie". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2013-07-26.
  54. ↑ Tedesco, Mike. "WWE Smackdown Results - 10/4/13 (4-on-1 Handicap)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
  55. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE RAW REPORT: MATCHES ANNOUNCED FOR HELL IN A CELL; NO ONE IS REALLY GONE WHEN THEY ARE TOLD TO LEAVE; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
  56. ↑ Tedesco, Mike. "WWE RAW Results - 9/30/13 (Battleground PPV hype)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
  57. ↑ Mike, Tedesco (March 23, 2015). "WWE RAW Results - 3/23/15 (Final hype for WrestleMania 31)". Wrestleview.com. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  58. ↑ Mike, Tedesco (March 19, 2015). "WWE Smackdown Results - 3/19/15 (Gauntlet Match)". Wrestleview.com. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  59. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE SUPERSTARS REPORT: CAN YOU SAY VICTORY IN FIVE LANGUAGES?; DAMIEN SANDOW IN ACTION; TAG TEAMS AND DIVAS IN ACTION TOO". PWinsider. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  60. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT REPORT: DID SETH ROLLINS RETAIN AGAINST BIG E LANGSTON?; THIRD GENERATION TAG TEAM AGAINST SECOND GENERATION TAG TEAM; DIVAS ACTION; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  61. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT: WHO IS THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER?; VIVA ZAPATOS; WILL WWE FINALLY CARE ABOUT THE TAG TEAM DIVISION; COME BACK SOON JOSH MATHEWS". PWInsider. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  62. ↑ Caldwell, James. "Caldwell's WWE Raw results 10/14 (Hour 1): HBK opens Raw, Orton vs. Miz featured match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  63. ↑ "WWE Tag Team - Primo & Epico". WWE. Retrieved 17 January 2012.

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