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State Fair smackdown: Duke City Championship Wrestling
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Under the dazzling lights of the New Mexico State Fair, wrestling fans sat in anticipation, ready to witness an epic all-or-nothing battle between three warriors: Thunder, Triste and Mr. Happy. Who will be the last man standing in the match of the ages for the first time in fair history?
Duke City Championship Wrestling is a professional organization that started in 2023 and puts on monthly shows at El Rey Theater with unique characters and storylines. Each wrestler has a creative persona to engage the crowd.
This was the group’s first year at the State Fair, staging several shows throughout the 11 days, wowing the crowd with theatrical take-downs. Meet three of the wrestlers who competed in the “Triple Threat Elimination” (three wrestlers who fight in one ring in a last-man-standing match) at the fair.
Thunder, aka Carlos Gallegos
Twenty-six years ago, Thunder was struggling to decide what to do with his life. He had two options: the army or wrestling. Thunder decided to take a chance on himself, and years later, he became the Thunder that fans know and love.
“When I was younger, I was Kid Thunder, and as I evolved, I became Thunder,” he said. “I’m always evolving my persona, and as I got bigger, I took on a brawler and high-flyer style.”
Thunder considers his persona and fighting style unique, constantly changing based on how he’s feeling and the crowd.
“I have my own style — it’s not good, it’s not bad, it’s just me,” Thunder said. “Thank God the crowd takes me either way for who I am.”
One of Thunder’s key items to his persona is “Wrenchie the Ghost Wrench,” a wrench he discovered when he was performing in Roswell. According to Thunder, the wrench represents the greatest wrestler in space and time and he hopes to pass it down later in his career.
Thunder said wrestling is his life and he puts everything he has into each match.
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“Every time I go out there, I give a piece of my heart to them,” he said of the fans. “When I was a kid, I used to watch wrestlers and that encouraged me to do this and I want to pay that back. It’s like an addiction — the crowd, the cheer — and it overtakes your soul.”
Thunder was second in the Triple Threat Elimination.
Triste, aka Rolando Hernandez
As a child, Triste competed in high school wrestling, winning national competitions. When he got older, he decided to take a spin in the professional wrestling world. Triste said pro wrestling has a different feeling than mat wrestling.
“In professional wrestling, you’ve got a big crowd and they cheer and boo at you,” he said. “The crowd wants to be involved and we want to involve them and entertain them as an athlete.”
Triste’s persona focuses on a more melancholic and angry approach, striking fear into his opponents as he steps into the ring.
“There’s a lot of emotions that go into this,” Triste said. “Sadness and anger can be a great tool and get you ahead if you know how to hone them right.”
During his matches, he is one of the first to argue with referees, sneering at them as he taunts the crowd. Triste often finds sneaky ways to hit his opponents where they least expect it, quickly grabbing their ankles to crash them into the canvas. He also likes to lift and slam his opponents, causing audience members to cry out as their favorite wrestler flies into the mat.
As a first-year competitor, Triste is determined to make a name in the business and ensure his opponents don’t second-guess him because he has less experience.
Triste was the first to lose the Triple Threat Elimination, challenging Thunder to a one-on-one match later in the day.
Mr. Happy, aka Kris Wyskochil
After meeting professional wrestler Jake the Snake, Mr. Happy knew he needed to be in the ring. Seven years later, Mr. Happy has taken Albuquerque by storm.
Mr. Happy uses a clown aesthetic, confusing his opponents with his hilarious and strange antics. He often jokes with the crowd, taking the time to make sure he delivers a punchline to opponents before punching them out of the ring. Mr. Happy is driven by his fans, letting them hand him objects like rubber chickens to incorporate into his fight.
“I like to try and make the fans a part of the show as much as possible,” he said. “It’s not the same without the fans. Seeing all these new fans and hearing them talk about the match after is such a good feeling.”
As a father and grandfather, Mr. Happy finds joy in inspiring younger audience members to find their love of wrestling.
“If I can inspire one kid, it’s all worth it,” he said. “I’m going to keep going out there as long as there’s one person who wants me. Y’all aren’t getting rid of me.”
Mr. Happy was the winner of the Triple Threat Elimination match, holding on to his champion status of the Route 66 title.
