Since WWE's acquisition ofLucha Libre AAA Worldwide, more fans have been exposed to the Lucha Libre style, with crossover PLEs like Worlds Collide pitting AAA talent against WWE wrestlers.Across his stint with WWE, Cinta de Oro portrayed SinCara Negro and laterSinCara, and worked under both Vince McMahon and Triple H. During an interview with TMZ's"Inside TheRing,"de Oro was asked which of his former bosses understood Lucha Libre better. "That's a really hard question, to be honest, because at the end of the day, it became 'entertainment,'" de Oro said. "It wasn't considered professional wrestling, or Lucha Libre. It was more of an entertainment."Despite this, de Oro noted that he felt fortunate to be able to work with and learn from some of the biggest stars of the "Attitude Era,"such as Big Show, Kane, and The Undertaker. Still,there were many curveballs he had to deal with, especially down in FCW where they'd compete without a match card and were just sent out to wrestle and improvise their way through matches.
Cinta de Oro was also asked about his comments a few years ago, where he criticized the lack of opportunities for Latino wrestlers in WWE. He declined to walk his comments back, and spoke to his frustration with the end of his run in WWE. "I wanted to let them know that I'm here, you know? I want to showcase my talent!" he expressed. "I remember I told them: 'Put me on television for a year, and then if after that year, I'm not a big star, then you can fire me on the spot.'"He further asserted that he never asked for more than an opportunity, and pointed out how the stars in WWE who are succeeding today are getting the screen time he once asked for. "I think, for me, I never got that opportunity to succeed in that sense," de Oro said. "Obviously, times have changed now with the purchase of AAA. ... But, at the end of the day, who's the biggest star right now inAAA? Is it a Latino or is it somebody that's not a Latino or a Mexican guy?"While he seems to be disillusioned withElGrande Americano's position at the top of AAA, de Oro still praised him for using social media to market himself and effectively adjust to the Mexican culture. "At the end of the day, what's happening with him? He got the opportunity to become a star! That's all we've asked all this time!" he exclaimed. "All I ask for the new generation is an opportunity for the Mexican kids, the Latino kids, to showcase their talent. That's all we've asked this time, and hopefully that time has come now."If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "TMZ's Inside The Ring," and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
