The Death Of Gino Hernandez: Cocaine, Paranoia, And The Unsolved Cartel Rumors

In the mid-1980s, Dallas, Texas, was the hottest wrestling territory in the world. World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), run by Fritz Von Erich, was a phenomenon that transcended the traditional boundaries of the sport. The wrestlers were not just athletes; they were rock stars who sold out the Cotton Bowl and were mobbed by screaming fans wherever they went. At the center of this hurricane of fame, money, and excess was Gino Hernandez.

Known as “The Handsome Half-Breed,” Hernandez was the perfect villain for the era. He was arrogant, flashy, and dripped with legitimate heat. He drove a Porsche, wore custom suits, and bragged about his expensive lifestyle. However, on February 4, 1986, the glamour came to a rotting end. Hernandez was found dead in his apartment in Highland Park, a we