’99.” You can clearly see the influence of the late, great Eddie Guerrero when you watch The Last Jaguar in the ring. Zemis, who grew
up in a rough neighborhood; opened up about the positive affect
wrestling had on his life. “In late 1999 - early 2000, I went to a local
gym called Arena Puerto Rico. That’s where I met Super Aguila; a
wrestler from Mexico, and that’s where it started. I never had the intent to be a Superstar. At the time, it was just hobby to keep me out of
trouble. Where I grew up, South Side Williamsburg, there was a lot
drug dealing. I have always had a strong passion for Lucha Libre,
and when I started learning from guys like Ghost Shadow and
Laithon. That’s when I decided I wanted to be a wrestler.”
The Black Zemis moniker itself is something that the competitor holds near and dear to his heart. In true Lucha tradition, Zemis
understands that your ring name and your mask are your identity.
Zemis opened up about what the name means to him as well as having The
Photo by Isabella Lacy
T
Black Zemis with a Devastating Dropkick to Mayhem
he Last Jaguar, Black Zemis; the name alone brings
thoughts of one of the most athletically gifted superstars to ever wrestle in the NDIW Doghouse. Black
Zemis sat down with NDIW magazine to talk about his
inspirations and his future goals in NDIW. It is no surprise given his
acrobatic style in the ring, that he would be influenced by the Cruiserweights of the mid-1990s.
“I didn't grow up watching pro-wrestling, I started very late.
My family never had cable so whatever came on Saturdays, that’s
what I would watch.” Zemis stated; “It started when I was 17, I saw a 9
match between Eddie Guerrero Vs Ultimo Dragon from Slamboree
Photo by Isabella Lacy