Posted on 10/06/126 by DMV Wrestling News
Nestor Bustos, the Southern California independent wrestler
known as SoCal Crazy, died September 30 after a battle with
colon cancer. He was 47.
SoCal Pro Wrestling announced Bustos’ death and said he had
been surrounded by family and loved ones.
“Everyone here at SoCal Pro Wrestling is devastated to
announce the passing of long time wrestler, trainer, and
most importantly, he was our friend, SoCal Crazy,” the
promotion said. “He was surrounded by family and loved ones
since yesterday and fought to the very end.”
Bustos began wrestling in 2000 and became a fixture of the
Southern California independent scene. He worked regularly
for promotions including SoCal Pro Wrestling, Empire
Wrestling Federation, and Alternative Wrestling Show.
Known for his lucha libre style, Bustos won championships in
several promotions and was named Southern California
Wrestler of the Year in 2009. He held the SoCal Pro
Heavyweight Championship four times and also won titles in
Alternative Wrestling Show, Vendetta Pro, and New Wave Pro
Wrestling.
Bustos was also ranked No. 24 on SoCal Uncensored’s list of
the greatest Southern California wrestlers of the past 25
years.
He shared the ring during his career with wrestlers
including B-Boy, Peter Avalon, Scorpio Sky, and Tommy
Wilson. He also worked with wrestlers who later became
nationally prominent, including Adam Pearce and The Young
Bucks.
Jesús Rodríguez, known to WWE fans as Ricardo Rodriguez,
remembered Bustos as one of his favorite opponents.
“You fought for so long and you gave it everything you had.
You can now rest,” Rodríguez wrote on Facebook. “You were
one of my favorite dance partners in this industry and one
day we will get to do it again. I love you Nestor. Descanza,
carnal.”
Rodríguez and Bustos had a long history together on the
Southern California independent scene, including teaming as
The Lucha Libre Express before Rodríguez joined WWE.
Bustos was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2021.
After eight months of chemotherapy, the cancer went into
remission. He later organized Hermanos Contra Cancer, a
wrestling event held in Costa Mesa, California, in November
2022 to raise cancer awareness.
He returned to the ring in April 2023 after receiving
medical clearance and continued wrestling following his
diagnosis.
His final match came in June, when he teamed with El Mexica
against The Lucha Kings (Bamboo and El Rey) at a SoCal Pro
Wrestling event.
Bustos also worked as a trainer and served as the head lucha
libre coach at the SoCal Pro Wrestling Academy.
SoCal Uncensored remembered Bustos as “one of the best
independent wrestlers to come out of Southern California in
the last 25 years” and “an all around good guy.”
Bustos’ cancer had progressed in recent months, and he had
been hospitalized several times before his death.
He is survived by his wife, Khai Karma.