His daughter Paola wrote on Instagram: “ You fought her to death, you won the girdle of eternity. Goodbye father.” Veneno had the nickname “El Campeón de la Bolita del Mundo” (Champion of the World) and even became the champion of the world in 1982. He defeated Ric Flair for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship in Santo Domingo. In a 2018 interview with Conrad Thompson, Flair said that he called an audible for Veneno to win because he didn’t think he’d get out of the Caribbean alive if he retained. However, the belt was returned to Flair that same day and the NWA never officially recognized the title change.