Mexican wrestler Sin Cara defends Wolves' Raul Jimenez following mask celebration
Mexican WWE wrestler Sin Cara has backed Wolves striker Raul Jimenez after his mask celebration in the FA Cup semi-final was criticised by Watford striker Troy Deeney.
The Wolves striker, who only recently agreed a deal to sign permanently with Wolves in a deal which will go through this summer, donned a mask given to him by the wrestler after scoring his side's second goal of the game.
The phenomenal finish looked like it had booked Wolves their place in the FA Cup final, only for Watford to pull off a dramatic comeback to win 3-2 after extra time.
Following the game, Watford skipper Deeney criticised the celebration, labelling Jimenez a 'loser', but did hail his ability on the pitch.
Since then, WWE star Sin Cara has jumped to Jimenez's defence.
"The mask is something cultural." he told ESPN Mexico.
"There are people who maybe don’t understand, who take the celebration as an offence, because a player from the other team got angry and said a silly comment, but they do not know our culture, they do not know about soccer and wrestling in Mexico.
"I really felt very happy, because I had an immense joy that Raul pulled that mask on and is triumphing in the English league.
"I never imagined that my mask would become famous all over the world, I do not think Raul imagined he was going to play in the Premier League, that mask represents that you can, that there is an opportunity to get to WWE, to the leagues in Europe, that young people do not stop dreaming, to keep going, to continue fighting for their goals."
The special mask was gifted to Jimenez following the news of his permanent deal with Wolves being agreed, and was crafted to feature Wolves' gold and black colours. Sin Cara himself is known for wearing the colourful accessory in the ring.
The Mexico striker has performed the celebration before using a different mask - donning the accessory following a goal scored in the Taca de Portugal (Portuguese League Cup) final during his time in Benfica, a game they went on to win 2-1.
Masks are commonplace in Mexican wrestling - with numerous wrestlers in Central America wearing them throughout their careers.
