Mariella Balbuena Torres (born October 19, 1979) is a Mexican female professional wrestler best known under the ring name Mari Apache (sometimes written as "Mary Apache"). She is the daughter of Luchador Gran Apache and the sister of luchadora Faby Apache. Torres has previously wrestled under the ring name Princesa Apache as well as the enmascarada (masked) characters Love and Lady Venum.
Professional wrestling career[]
Mariella Torres trained with her father Mario Balbuena González, better known as Gran Apache, who is one of Mexico's most prolific trainer of female wrestlers. She made her debut in 1996, at the age of 17, working under the ring name Princesa Apache, playing off her father's Native American ring character. Through her father's position with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, one of Mexico's largest wrestling promotions, she began working for AAA upon making her debut. In either late 1996 or early 1997 she adopted a new ring character, a masked character called "Love". Although she was masked, AAA did not hide the fact that she was the daughter of Gran Apache. The "Love" character only lasted about six months before Torres was given a new character. She became a part of a female version of the popular AAA stable Los Cadetes Del Espacio, wrestling as the masked "Lady Venum" a female version of Venum. She teamed up with Lady Discovery, Lady Luxor to form Las Cadetas del Espacion in later 1997. Las Cadetas teamed up with Xóchitl Hamada to defeat the team of La Fugitiva, La Migala, La Practicante and Martha Villalobos in the opening match of the 1997 Guerra de Titanes show. Not long after Guerra de Titanes Torres left AAA, giving the "Lady Venum" character to her younger sister Fabiola Torres, while adopting the ring name Mari Apache. Mari travelled to Japan to gain more experience, wrestling for a variety of Japanese all-female promotions such as All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, GAEA Japan and ARISON. In ARISON Mari Apache defeated Chaparita Asari on March 15, 2000, to win the Sky High of ARISON Championship. Apache lost the title on Ayako Hamada on August 12, 2000, during an ARISON event in Nagoya, Japan.
World Wonder Ring Stardom (2017–2019)[]
In 2017, Apache relocated to Japan, where she began working regularly for World Wonder Ring Stardom. It was also announced that her daughter Natsumi had started training professional wrestling and would debut in Japan. On August 13, Apache defeated Shanna for the High Speed Championship. On September 24, Apache made her first successful title defense on against Hiromi Mimura. On December 24, Apache defeated Starlight Kid for her second successful title defense.
On January 21, 2018, at Stardom's seventh anniversary, Apache defeated Kay Lee Ray for her third successful title defense. Apache teamed with her sister Faby Apache on March 31, when they unsuccessfully challenged Hana Kimura and Kagetsu for their Goddess of Stardom Championship. On December 24, Apache lost the championship to Hazuki.
Personal life[]
Mariella Torres comes from a wrestling family, she's the oldest daughter of Mario Balbuena González, who wrestled as Gran Apache. Her younger sister Fabiola wrestles as Faby Apache. She is the stepdaughter of Sandra González Calderón, better known as Lady Apache although Torres' father and Lady Apache divorced years ago. Torres also has a younger sister Jessica, who briefly worked as Baby Apache. She is the sister-in-law of wrestler José Roberto Islas García, known as Billy Boy, who was married to Fabiola, as well as the aunt to their son Marvin.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing moves
- Michinoku Driver II
- Senton atomico
- Sitdown powerbomb
- Signature moves
- Axe kick to a seated opponent
- Brainbuster
- Electric chair drop
- Lariat
- Mexican surfboard
- Spinning heel kick
- Nicknames
- La Devoradora del Mundo ("The Devourer of the World")
Championships and accomplishments[]
- ARISON
- Sky High of ARISON Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 75 of the top 100 female wrestlers in the PWI Female 100 in 2018
- World Wonder Ring Stardom
Luchas de Apuestas record[]
| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faby Apache (hair) | Mari Apache (hair) | Mexico City | Triplemania XVI | June 13, 2008 | |
| Mari Apache (hair) | Súper Estrella (mask) | Guadalajara, Jalisco | Live event | March 6, 2011 |