John “Bradshaw” Layfield sees shades of one of wrestling’s most beloved performers in Daga.
The WWE Hall of Famer recently offered major praise for the AAA star and current Los Perros del Mal leader, saying Daga’s presence, speaking ability and overall style remind him of the late Eddie Guerrero. For JBL, the comparison goes beyond the physical side of wrestling. It is about the kind of personality that can break through with an audience, including fans who may not even understand every word being said.
“This guy is an absolute, freaking rockstar,” JBL said on Something To Wrestle. “You got to watch this guy give a promo.”
JBL’s assessment is particularly notable because Guerrero’s charisma was central to virtually every major stage of his career. Eddie could work as a flashy fan favorite, an unrepentant rule-breaker or something in between, and his ability to communicate emotion often carried as much weight as his athleticism. He connected across language barriers and generations, whether he was performing in Mexico, Japan, WCW, ECW or WWE.
For more background on this topic, read Bloodline Entrance Copyright Lawsuit Against WWE Dismissed With Prejudice.
That kind of broad appeal is what JBL believes Daga has displayed. While discussing the current Los Perros del Mal member, JBL said Daga can win over an audience even when Spanish-speaking promos are not fully understood by every fan in the building.
“That guy’s awesome! He reminds me a lot about Eddie Guerrero, you know? The same kind of style, the same type of promo. Maybe that’s where he got it from.”
Those are substantial words from a former WWE Champion who worked opposite Guerrero during a pivotal era for both men. JBL and Guerrero were rivals in WWE, and their careers intersected during a period when Guerrero had become one of the company’s most magnetic performers. Guerrero’s in-ring work had long been respected, but his combination of humor, intensity, timing and willingness to embrace his own flaws made him a singular star.
No modern wrestler can simply duplicate that legacy, and JBL did not suggest otherwise. His point was instead that Daga possesses elements that evoke Guerrero’s approach: a distinctive promotional delivery, an expressive personality and a style that immediately communicates who he is. That is an important quality for any performer, particularly within a faction built on attitude and identity.
Daga Leads a New Era of Los Perros del Mal
Daga’s role in Los Perros del Mal has become increasingly prominent since the group reformed in June. He had been associated with earlier versions of the stable and now stands at the forefront of the current incarnation, which has quickly made an impact in AAA.
Los Perros del Mal carries major history in lucha libre. The faction was initially formed by the late Perro Aguayo Jr. and Hector Garza, giving the name a legacy that remains meaningful to fans. Reintroducing the group comes with expectations, especially because its earlier versions were defined by rebellious energy, a confrontational attitude and the ability to feel larger than a standard collection of wrestlers.
The latest lineup brings together a mix of established names and recognizable WWE-connected talent. Along with Daga, the group includes Karmen Petrovic, Bronco Nima, Angel Garza and Berto. That combination has allowed Los Perros del Mal to present itself as a unit with multiple personalities while keeping Daga in a key leadership position.
Since returning, the faction has not been subtle about making its intentions known. Los Perros del Mal attacked El Grande Americano shortly after his Noche de Los Grandes victory over Chad Gable. The group also captured the AAA World Trios Championships and has set its sights on the reunited Lucha Brothers, Rey Fenix and Penta.
That trail of confrontations has helped make Daga’s presentation especially important. A faction can have championships, numbers and recognizable members, but its identity still requires someone capable of setting the tone. JBL’s praise focused directly on that aspect of Daga’s game: his ability to speak, project confidence and draw an audience into the act.
JBL Compares the Group to the Fabulous Freebirds
JBL also spoke enthusiastically about the broader appeal of Los Perros del Mal. He compared the unit to the Fabulous Freebirds, another influential group whose members became known for swagger, heat and a connection with fans that extended well beyond individual matches.
“I love Perros del Mal. It’s kind of the Mexican version of the [Fabulous] Freebirds, is what it is. These guys are selling so much freaking merch right now.”
The Freebirds comparison speaks to the type of cultural presence JBL sees in the group. The Fabulous Freebirds were not merely remembered for wins and losses; they had a defined image and a style that audiences instantly recognized. Their impact was strong enough that the “Freebird Rule” became a lasting concept in tag team wrestling, allowing any two members of a larger team to defend a championship.
Los Perros del Mal has a very different history and operates within a different wrestling tradition, but JBL’s point is clear. He views the stable as more than a temporary alliance designed for a single rivalry. In his eyes, it has the traits of a group that fans want to identify with, follow and support through merchandise as well as television and live-event appearances.
For Daga, that places him in an enviable but demanding position. Leading a recognizable name means honoring the attitude associated with Los Perros del Mal while also making the current version feel relevant on its own terms. The faction’s recent actions suggest it is taking the latter task seriously. It has pursued titles, picked fights with high-profile opposition and used major moments to establish itself as a force.
A High-Profile Collision With the Lucha Brothers
The rivalry will reach another major point this weekend at WWE x AAA Worlds Collide: Chicago. Daga and Berto are scheduled to face Rey Fenix and Penta, the reunited Lucha Brothers, in a tag team match that puts Los Perros del Mal in front of a wider audience.
It is a significant showcase for all four wrestlers. Fenix and Penta have a deep connection as a team and remain among the most recognizable brother pairings in modern lucha libre. Their reunion adds weight to any match involving them, especially against opponents tied to a faction that has directly targeted them.
Daga and Berto, meanwhile, enter with the backing and momentum of Los Perros del Mal. The match gives them an opportunity to turn the group’s hostility toward the Lucha Brothers into a statement result on a WWE x AAA stage. It also creates a setting where Daga’s personality can be just as important as any move he executes. If JBL is right about Daga’s ability to capture attention through his promos and presence, Worlds Collide offers an ideal environment for that quality to stand out.
The event itself reflects the increasing visibility of AAA talent within the WWE x AAA relationship. A match featuring Daga and Berto against Fenix and Penta brings together names with considerable lucha libre history, faction drama and immediate audience recognition. The emotional stakes are not limited to a standard tag team contest because Los Perros del Mal has made the Lucha Brothers a central target of its resurgence.
Whether Daga and Berto can secure the victory remains to be seen. But even before the bell rings, JBL’s comments have underlined how highly he rates Daga’s upside. Comparisons to Eddie Guerrero naturally carry enormous weight, given Guerrero’s enduring place in professional wrestling history. JBL’s praise is not a declaration that Daga is a replica of Guerrero; it is an acknowledgment of a familiar kind of magnetism.
In an industry where performers are constantly trying to distinguish themselves, that is valuable recognition. Daga has championship success around him, a revived faction with historical importance and a marquee match on the horizon. He also has a WWE Hall of Famer publicly identifying the charisma and promo instincts that can turn a talented wrestler into a standout attraction.
For Los Perros del Mal, the next test comes in Chicago. For Daga, it is another chance to show why JBL believes he has the tools to connect with fans in the same instinctive, memorable way that made Eddie Guerrero impossible to ignore.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.