by Following his explosive debut, the man from Culiacán, Sinaloa, sat down for an exclusive interview with Víctor Torres on Línea Directa, opening up about the experience, his deep connection to his hometown, and the newfound stardom of his puppet partner.
A Hero for His Hometown
Mr. Iguana spoke about NXT’s “Worlds Collide,” a groundbreaking collaboration with AAA that, according to him, smashed records. “The first collaboration between AAA and WWE… broke the YouTube audience record with more than two million people watching in less than 24 hours for a live show,” he shared, still buzzing from the moment.
For Mr. Iguana, whose real name is Santiago Ibarra, the performance was more than just a match; it was a mission. He spoke passionately about his character being born from his home, Culiacán.
“My character is totally born in Culiacán because I used to see how in the Parque Las Riberas there were thousands and thousands of iguanas,” he explained. He sees a direct link between the reptiles and luchadors. “When you see an iguana fall into the water, see how it extends its arms… I took the inspiration from that and said I want to be a superhero that represents Culiacán.”
This mission to represent the positive side of his home is at the core of his philosophy. When asked about adapting his style, he revealed a surprising truth: getting over in the United States was easier than in Mexico.
“In the United States, they received it like a glove,” he said, but noted that the Lucha Libre style in Mexico is “more demanding… more high flying, more sadistic, you could say, stronger, more violent.” In the US, he feels the focus is more on character and image, allowing his unique brand of fun to connect instantly.
An Ambassador of Joy
While the global buzz is exciting, perhaps the most heartwarming moment of the interview came from closer to home. Anchor Víctor Torres shared a message from a listener, Martha Erechiga, that perfectly encapsulated the deeper impact of Mr. Iguana’s character. She thanked him for “giving another face to the world about Sinaloa, that not everything is violence and drug trafficking.” It’s a powerful sentiment that proves Mr. Iguana’s mission transcends the squared circle. He isn’t just a wrestler with a puppet; he’s an ambassador of joy for his home state. His goal of being a ‘hero’ who can change the world is clearly resonating. By simply being himself, a fun loving, charismatic entertainer from Culiacán, he is actively reshaping perceptions and bringing pride to his community.
Joy Over Competition, and a Star is Born
That connection was palpable, and it even caught the attention of some of his own childhood heroes. “Triple H, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, CM Punk… they all congratulated me coming down from the ring,” he revealed. This led to an impromptu appearance at the Money in the Bank event, where WWE officials simply wanted to get his unique look on camera for a few seconds. The rest, as they say, is social media history.
Throughout the interview, Mr. Iguana reiterated a core belief, “I have a philosophy that I don’t come to compete,” he stated. “I don’t come to be the best winner… I come to be myself, I come to enjoy the journey.”
That journey, of course, includes his partner, La Yezca. When asked what his puppet thought of all the newfound fame, he laughed. “La Yeska, she’s gotten a big head now. She doesn’t say anything anymore,” he joked. “It’s incredible how suddenly I’m sitting in the locker room and I can’t find her… and I see a wrestler has her and the whole locker room is taking pictures with her.”
He confirmed that it’s the same puppet he’s had for seven years, a well traveled veteran in her own right. “She’s a warrior, just like her owner.”
As Mr. Iguana navigates a whirlwind schedule that could see him flying to a show at a moment’s notice, his heart remains in Sinaloa. He dreams of returning for some ceviche and esquites and hopes his success can inspire a new generation and show the world a different, more positive side of his home.
His message is simple, powerful, and deeply felt. “I want to transmit that there is something more fun than all of this… For me, that’s my success.”
In a world of intense competition, Mr. Iguana is a vibrant, green faced reminder that the greatest success is simply being yourself and sharing that joy with the world.
And to that, we can only say: ¡Pónganse verdes! (Get green!)
