In between his success in California, Chavo also found success in Japan. He began touring in the Far East in 1978 for New Japan, immediately catching on as a standout Juniors Division performer. His primary rival in Japan was future WWE Hall of Famer Tatsumi Fujinami, although Chavo would go on to battle with the likes of Mike Graham, Steve Keirn, Kengo Kimura, Kuniaki Kobayashi, fellow luchadors Sangre Chicana, Canek, El Solitario, and even legends like Andre the Giant (who Chavo teamed with occasionally) and Dusty Rhodes. His eight year run in Japan for both New Japan and All Japan Pro Wrestling was largely successful and he’s considered to have been one of the top juniors in Japan in the era prior to the rise of Jushin Thunder Liger, the original Tiger Mask, and the Dynamite Kid. In a way, you could say that Chavo’s Japan run summed up both the best and worst aspects of his career. For his time he was a legend; unfortunately his time was immediately followed by guys contemporary fans remember far better.

The reason for that? After NWA Hollywood closed its doors in the early 80s, Chavo’s profile slowly but surely declined. He continued to get work, having stints in Mexico, Mid Atlantic, World Class Wrestling in Texas, the AWA in Minnesota, Bill Watt’s UWF, and many other NWA promotions during the 80s (he also had a brief house show run with WWE around this time). But strangely his push in all these territories was never higher than midcard, opener, or tag team role with his brothers. Regardless of where he went, Chavo would never get another chance to be a headliner for the rest of his career, save for a special one off show or two. As it turns out many promoters still looked at the 5’9 Chavo as someone too small to be a huge draw, despite the fact that he had been one of the biggest draws in California during the late 70s. And we wonder why wrestling goes through ebbs and flows like it does. So even as Chavo continued to churn out good to great work during the 80’s, the loss of a high profile spot in a promotion led to him slipping through the cracks and in many instances being forgotten. It’s not hard to see why Chavo could’ve become bitter as some would claim; he put in so much great work between NWA Hollywood and Japan during the mid 70s to mid 80s and in the end the only thing he’s remembered for a brief run in WWE years past his prime. The wrestling business, and wrestling fans, is a cruel beast at times.

To his credit though, Chavo never stopped working. He was active throughout the nineties, picking up work in Mexico (he worked CMLL, AAA, and UWA at various times); Japan and even a few WCW house show matches (though he never appeared on TV). Those who think his WWE run was the end would also be mistaken; he worked as the stunt coordinator for the Wrestling Society X pilot, working one off shows for AAA and PWG and doing work for the Viva La Lucha pilot. He was even still wrestling a couple months prior to his death, doing one last show for All Japan on November 27th, 2016 where he teamed with Tajiri, Último Dragon, and Dory Funk Jr. to win an Atomicos Match (his last match, a trios match, took place a day later for the Tokyo Gurentai promotion). The most notable moment of Chavo’s later years however was a recent appearance on Lucha Underground, where he played a key role in a feud between his son and Rey Mysterio Jr. Realizing LU wasn’t big enough for him and Chavo Jr., Rey sought Chavo Sr.’s blessing in ridding Chavo Jr. from the Temple, which was (reluctantly) granted. Chavo Sr. would then appear during the Loser Leaves Lucha match between the two, betraying Rey by hitting his son with a chair and getting Rey DQ’d and seemingly kicked out of the Temple. Unfortunately for both Chavo’s, Dario Cueto stepped in and restarted the match, and Rey ultimately picked up the win and sent both Chavo Sr. and Jr. packing. In retrospect, it was a very fitting last TV appearance for Chavo, who went out the Guerrero way; lying, cheating, and stealing. Well, almost stealing; Rey did win after all.