Nestor Bustos, the Southern California independent wrestler known as SoCal Crazy, died September 30 after a battle with colon cancer. He was 47.
SoCal Pro Wrestling announced Bustos’ death and said he had been surrounded by family and loved ones.
“Everyone here at SoCal Pro Wrestling is devastated to announce the passing of long time wrestler, trainer, and most importantly, he was our friend, SoCal Crazy,” the promotion said. “He was surrounded by family and loved ones since yesterday and fought to the very end.”
Bustos began wrestling in 2000 and became a fixture of the Southern California independent scene. He worked regularly for promotions including SoCal Pro Wrestling, Empire Wrestling Federation, and Alternative Wrestling Show.
Known for his lucha libre style, Bustos won championships in several promotions and was named Southern California Wrestler of the Year in 2009. He held the SoCal Pro Heavyweight Championship four times and also won titles in Alternative Wrestling Show, Vendetta Pro, and New Wave Pro Wrestling.
Bustos was also ranked No. 24 on SoCal Uncensored’s list of the greatest Southern California wrestlers of the past 25 years.
He shared the ring during his career with wrestlers including B-Boy, Peter Avalon, Scorpio Sky, and Tommy Wilson. He also worked with wrestlers who later became nationally prominent, including Adam Pearce and The Young Bucks.
Jesús Rodríguez, known to WWE fans as Ricardo Rodriguez, remembered Bustos as one of his favorite opponents.
“You fought for so long and you gave it everything you had. You can now rest,” Rodríguez wrote on Facebook. “You were one of my favorite dance partners in this industry and one day we will get to do it again. I love you Nestor. Descanza, carnal.”
Rodríguez and Bustos had a long history together on the Southern California independent scene, including teaming as The Lucha Libre Express before Rodríguez joined WWE.
Bustos was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2021. After eight months of chemotherapy, the cancer went into remission. He later organized Hermanos Contra Cancer, a wrestling event held in Costa Mesa, California, in November 2022 to raise cancer awareness.
He returned to the ring in April 2023 after receiving medical clearance and continued wrestling following his diagnosis.
His final match came in June, when he teamed with El Mexica against The Lucha Kings (Bamboo and El Rey) at a SoCal Pro Wrestling event.
Bustos also worked as a trainer and served as the head lucha libre coach at the SoCal Pro Wrestling Academy.
SoCal Uncensored remembered Bustos as “one of the best independent wrestlers to come out of Southern California in the last 25 years” and “an all around good guy.”
Bustos’ cancer had progressed in recent months, and he had been hospitalized several times before his death.
He is survived by his wife, Khai Karma.