Juan Kachmanian (April 6, 1930 - January 9, 2020), better known as Pampero Firpo, was an Argentinian professional wrestler of Armenian descent.
Having been trained by Rudy Dusek, he made his debut in 1953 and wrestled variously as Ervan the Armenian, Ivan the Terrible, The Missing Link, The Great Pampero and the Wild Bull of the Pampas, as well as his most famous alter-ego of Firpo (named after the original, Luis Ángel Firpo). An early pioneer of Hardcore wrestling, Kachmanian usually wrestled as a heel, although he would go on to have a run as a face after being fireballed by The Sheik. Other notable feuds in his career would include Nick Bockwinkel, Alberto Madril and Apollo Jalisco.
Amongst the titles he held in his career were the NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version), the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Detroit version), the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship and the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship, as well as being the inaugural holder of the NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship. Using the bear hug and the El Garfio as his signature moves Kachmanian popularized the drawn-out catchphrase 'ohhh yeah!' which would later become associated with Randy Savage. He retired in 1986 and worked for the United States Postal Service in San Jose, California until his death in 2020.
Career[]
Personal life[]
In wrestling[]
Championships and accomplishments[]
- All-California Championship Wrestling
- ACCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Other honoree (2001)
- Mid-Pacific Promotions
- NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Jim Hady
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA World Tag Team Championship (Texas version) (1 time) - with Tony Borne
