Gilbert

Gilberto Cruz (born November 12, 1976), better known as Gilbert, is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler and former baseball umpire.

He debuted in the International Wrestling Association, where he won the first two championships of his career.

Cruz was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, where he completed his high school education at Rexville Superior in 1994.

After wrestling in the independent circuit as part of a team known as The Rutgers, he was first brought to the International Wrestling Association as a face.

His first feud was against "Ravishing" Richard Rondón who assaulted Gilbert, who was planted in the crowd.

The angle was elaborated when Rondón insulted his wife, prompting several run-ins which saw him being expelled from the events due to being "an unlicensed fan".

Eventually, a match was set between both, marking his official in-ring debut.

He remained active in the midcard during the following months, until he joined "La Compañia" the predominant heel faction initially led by Savio Vega and subsequently by Joe Bravo, adopting the "Future Hall of Fame (Inductee)" gimmick, which saw him win the IWA World Tag Team Championship.

As this character he began feuding with multiple champions, including the IWRG "Rey de Reyes" holder, Ricky Cruz.

In August 2010, he joined the World Wrestling Council, entering an angle with Ray González, which evolved in a general feud against all those that are considered cornerstone wrestlers in Puerto Rico.

At Juicio Final 2010, he was pinned to lose the tag team championship.

Outside of performing, he created a public campaign promoting education.

During the final months of his participation in the IWA, Gilbert won the IWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship, dropping the belt before leaving the promotion.

On July 31, 2010, Gilbert debuted in the World Wrestling Council, interfering in a match and costing Ray González the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship.

He continued performing under his real name, but his character evolved into one based on Terry Benedict from the Ocean's Eleven trilogy franchise due to his physical similarity to Andy García.

During the following weeks, an angle was run where he would pursue González while prompting the public to "burn the past".

For his in-ring debut, Gilbert issued an open challenge, defeating jobbers in consecutive contests.

However, his first storyline was left inconclusive when González left the company.

Due to this outcome, Joe Bravo was brought in to the promotion, beginning a feud between both due to Gilbert's "inability to follow orders".

This went on to numerous matches between both, including a tie at Septiembre Negro for the first contendership to the Universal Heavyweight Championship.

However, the animosity between both was subsequently dropped and a pseudo-partnership emerged occasionally.

In November 2010, Gilbert won his first title in the promotion, the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship from "El Sensacional" Roger Carlitos Díaz, which he retained for several months.

The feud between both extended to Lockout 2010, closing the year.

This advanced to a highly publicized contest against José Huertas González at Aniversario 2011.

Gilbert later led Team WWC in an invasion against the IWA in July 2011.

On February 27, 2011, WWC launched a talk show titled "La Opinión de Gilbert", where he began hosting retired or otherwise established wrestlers.

He continued his alliance with Bravo, helping him retain the Caribbean Heavyweight Championship.

In March 2011, Gilbert assaulted Julio Estrada in a live edition of "La Opinión de Gilbert", adopting a pattern that included similar attacks against "Invader #3" Johhny Rivera, "El Profe" Ángel Pantoja Rivera, Jesús Castillo, Jr., Rubén "Hercules Ayala" Cruz, "Invader 4" Maelo Huertas and Carlos Colón.

In April 2011, he entered a feud with Shane Sewell, from which he emerged with the Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship.

Both wrestlers were included in a 4- man gauntlet match for the vacant Universal Heavyweight Championship, but were uninvolved in the outcome.

Eventually, Gilbert hosted Díaz, who after being attacked, decided to bring José Huertas González back from his retirement.

At Summer Madness 2011, he retained the championship, defeating World Wrestling Entertainment superstar, Eddie Colón In this event the feud with Huertas González began official, with Gilbert attacking him with a folding chair.

An official match was scheduled for Aniversario 2011.

In the meantime, Gilbert wrestled Díaz in grudge matches.

The contract signing for Aniversario concluded in the revelation that José Laureano would be the special referee.

During the weeks leading to the event, Gilbert's push continued, with him defeating members of the midcard while receiving assistance from Laureano.

The contest was heavily promoted by WWC, with both wrestlers making appearances in television and radio stations.

The first contest between them took place in a tag team match, where Huertas González and Díaz won by pinning Gilbert's partner, Laureano.

The main match between both was left inconclusive, seeing intervention from Huertas González's family.

On October 10, 2014, he defeated Carlito to win his fourth WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Championship.