On Saturday July 6, the president of Mexican promotion CMLL, Francisco Alonso passed away. He was 67. 

CMLL holds the distinction of being the longest running wrestling promotion in the world. Under Alonso’s leadership, CMLL formed a partnership with New Japan Pro Wrestling in November 2009; as part of that relationship, the top CMLL stars have wrestled in NJPW rings every year since 2011 in the “NJPW Presents CMLL Fantasticamania” tours.

 Alonso became president of the company (then named EMLL) in the 1980s, and was a driving force behind the growth and prosperity of the promotion. His influence can be felt across the entire world of professional wrestling. 

New Japan Pro Wrestling would like to extend its sincerest sympathies to the friends, family and fans of Francisco Alonso and CMLL.