1. Life and Career
Faby Apache's career spans over two decades, beginning with rigorous training under her father and continuing through a prominent tenure in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide and appearances in international promotions, marked by numerous championships and highly personal storylines.
1.1. Early Career and Japanese Promotions (1998-1999)
After completing high school, Balbuena began her wrestling training under the guidance of her father, Gran Apache, a respected figure in Mexican wrestling. She made her professional debut in 1998 under the masked persona of "Lady Venom." Early in her career, she traveled to Japan to further hone her skills, receiving additional training from seasoned wrestlers such as Aja Kong and Mariko Yoshida. During her time in Japan, she competed for the Arsion promotion, where she achieved a notable success by winning the Sky High of Arsion Championship on October 27, 2001. She also participated in matches for JWP Women's Pro-Wrestling.
1.2. Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (1999-2022)
Upon her return to Mexico in 1999, Faby Apache became a regular performer for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), quickly establishing herself with victories in important Luchas de Apuestas (betting matches), specifically hair versus hair matches against luchadoras like La Hechicera and even male wrestler May Flowers.
1.2.1. Early Period and Storylines
In 2005, Faby Apache became central to one of the most defining and long-running storylines of her career, which revolved around her real-life relationship with Billy Boy, her husband, as well as her father, Gran Apache, and her sister, Mari Apache. The storyline began with Billy Boy publicly professing his love for Faby during her matches. Gran Apache initially disapproved of the relationship, deeming Billy Boy unworthy of his daughter, and frequently attacked him. The narrative incorporated the birth of their son, Marvin, into the storyline. At one point, Gran Apache defeated Billy Boy in a match, forcing him to distance himself from both Faby Apache and their son. This loss purportedly led to Billy Boy's deep depression, causing his tag team, Los Barrio Boys, to lose several matches, which in turn caused his teammates, Alan and Decnnis, to side with Gran Apache. The storyline further progressed with Billy Boy being committed to a mental institution.
Billy Boy later returned to AAA under a mask, using the name Alfa, and managed to gain Gran Apache's respect, with Apache even suggesting Alfa would be a good husband for Faby. Billy Boy then unmasked, revealing his true identity and reuniting with Faby Apache and Marvin, though this ruse did not please Gran Apache. During AAA's 2008 Guerra de Titanes event, Billy Boy intervened on Faby Apache's behalf after she lost a match. In a surprising turn, Faby Apache slapped Billy Boy, leading him to attack her and officially turn Rudo (villainous) for the first time in his career. This heel turn escalated the family drama, with Billy Boy attacking his father-in-law, Gran Apache, with a steel chair during a celebration of Gran Apache's 50 years in wrestling, causing a knee injury that was written into the storyline to explain Gran Apache's real-life injury.
In the spring of 2010, Aero Star was introduced into the storyline as a new romantic interest for Faby Apache. Initially, Billy Boy feigned indifference, having found a new "love" in Sexi Star. However, when Aero Star formally sought Gran Apache's permission to ask Faby Apache on a date, Billy Boy stormed the ring and attacked him. The storyline culminated in a high-stakes intergender Steel Cage Match involving Faby Apache, Billy Boy, Aero Star, and Sexy Star, where the last person remaining in the cage would either be unmasked or have their hair shaved. Faby Apache ultimately pinned Billy Boy, winning the match.
1.2.2. Reina de Reinas Championship and Other Titles
On May 28, 2008, Faby Apache defeated Ayako Hamada and her sister Mari Apache to win the 2008 Reina de Reinas (Queen of Queens) tournament. Following this victory, the Reina de Reinas trophy was transformed into a regular championship belt, shifting from an annual tournament prize (which it had been between 1999 and 2008) to a continuously defended title. This win intensified her feud with Mari Apache, stemming from the Billy Boy storyline. At Triplemanía XVI on June 13, 2008, Faby Apache defeated her sister in a Lucha de Apuesta, hair vs. hair match. After the match, Gran Apache intervened, pleading with Faby not to shave Mari's hair, and instead offered his own hair as a sacrifice, which Faby accepted, leading to a temporary reconciliation of the family.
Following her Apuesta victory, the storyline shifted focus to Faby Apache's rivalry with Sexy Star. The two faced each other in a "Bull Terrier" match for Faby Apache's AAA Reina de Reinas Championship at AAA's Heroes Inmortales III event. Sexy Star defeated Faby Apache due to interference from La Legión Extranjera members Jennifer Blade and Rain. Sexy Star then joined La Legión Extranjera, becoming the only Mexican female in the group. The rivalry continued at the 2009 Guerra de Titanes, where Sexy Star defeated Faby Apache in another Lucha de Apuesta match, again aided by La Legión. Although Faby's father cut some of her hair after the match, he did not shave it all off, a deviation from traditional Apuestas matches. That same night, Cinthia Moreno returned to AAA, aligning with Faby Apache against La Legión. This led to a match at the 2010 Rey de Reyes event, where Moreno, Faby, and Mari Apache defeated Sexy Star, Rain, and Christina Von Eerie.
After Rey de Reyes, Sexy Star publicly insulted the Apache sisters and Cinthia Moreno, leading to a match at Triplemanía XVIII with a unique stipulation: the losing team would serve as "slaves" for the winning team for a month. La Legión Extranjera (Blade, Rain, Sexy Star) defeated Moreno and the Apaches, with Blade pinning Mari Apache due to biased officiating. Mari Apache was forced to begin her "maid duty" immediately, though the stipulation expired on July 6, 2010.
On June 2, 2010, Aero Star and Faby Apache lost the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship to La Legión Extranjera's Alex Koslov and Christina Von Eerie. However, on October 1, 2010, at Héroes Inmortales IV, Apache regained the championship with her new partner, Pimpinela Escarlata, from Koslov and Von Eerie. Apache and Escarlata then lost the title to Jennifer Blake and Alan Stone on March 13, 2011.
In August 2011, Faby Apache and her sister Mari Apache toured Japan, collaborating with Oz Academy and Pro Wrestling Wave. On April 6, 2012, Mari Apache turned ruda, initiating a new rivalry with Faby. On November 27, Faby Apache returned to Japan to participate in the 2012 Reina de Reinas tournament, co-produced by AAA and Pro Wrestling Wave at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. She was eliminated in her opening match by Kaguya.
On March 17, 2013, at Rey de Reyes, Apache defeated LuFisto, Mari Apache, and Taya in a tournament final to win the vacant AAA Reina de Reinas Championship for the second time. On July 19, she became a double champion when she and Drago defeated Halloween and Mari Apache for the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship. They lost the Mixed Tag Team Championship to Pentagón Jr. and Sexy Star on April 19, 2014. On August 17 at Triplemanía XXII, Apache lost the Reina de Reinas Championship to Taya.
On March 5, 2017, Apache defeated Ricky Marvin in a title versus career match, leading to her, her father, and her sister becoming the new AAA World Trios Champions. Although Mari and Gran Apache did not appear for defenses, Faby teamed with Monster Clown and Murder Clown in her first defense, retaining the titles. On April 21, Faby partnered with Dr. Wagner Jr. and Psycho Clown in a defense against El Nuevo Poder del Norte (Soul Rocker, Mocho Cota Jr., and Carta Brava Jr.), but El Nuevo Poder del Norte ultimately won the titles.
The rivalry between Lady Shani and Faby Apache culminated at Triplemanía XXVI in 2018, where Lady Shani defeated Faby Apache in a Lucha de Apuesta match, partly due to interference from La Parka.
1.2.3. Later Career and Departure
In 2016, Faby Apache, alongside Lady Apache and Mari Apache, won the women's division of the Lucha Libre World Cup. After a long and impactful career with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, Faby Apache officially departed from the promotion on August 30, 2022.
1.3. Other Promotions (2018-2022)
Beyond AAA, Faby Apache also made notable appearances in other major professional wrestling promotions. She debuted for Impact Wrestling on the September 20, 2018, episode of Impact!, defeating Alisha Edwards in a match filmed in Mexico. Following her victory, Apache challenged Tessa Blanchard for the Impact Knockouts Championship on the September 27 episode of Impact!, though she was unsuccessful. On October 19, 2019, she secured another win on Xplosion against Alisha Edwards. Her final appearance for Impact Wrestling came on April 1, 2022, at Multiverse of Matches, where she unsuccessfully challenged Deonna Purrazzo for the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship.
Faby Apache also made a surprise debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at All Out in 2019, participating in the Casino Battle Royale, where she was eventually eliminated by Nyla Rose.
2. Personal Life and Family
Fabiola Balbuena Torres was born on December 26, 1980, in Mexico City. She hails from a prominent wrestling family, deeply rooted in the traditions of lucha libre. Her father is Mario Balbuena González, renowned in the wrestling world as Gran Apache. Her older sister, Mariella Balbuena Torres, also followed in the family's footsteps, wrestling under the name Mari Apache. While not a direct blood relative, she is also the stepdaughter of Sandra González Calderón, known as Lady Apache, though her father and Lady Apache divorced many years ago. Fabiola was married to fellow professional wrestler José Roberto Islas García, known as Billy Boy, and together they have a son named Marvin. Her family connection to the wrestling world extends to other relatives, including a wrestler known as Baby Apache.
3. Signature Moves
Faby Apache is known for incorporating a variety of techniques into her matches. Among her notable finishing maneuvers and signature moves are:
- Pedigree
- TornilloCorkscrew DiveSpanish
4. Championships and Accomplishments
Faby Apache has accumulated a significant number of championships and accolades throughout her career across various promotions:
- Arsion
- Sky High of Arsion Championship (1 time)
- Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
- AAA Reina de Reinas Championship (4 times)
- AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship (4 times) - with Gran Apache (1), Aero Star (1), Pimpinela Escarlata (1), and Drago (1)
- AAA World Trios Championship (1 time) - with El Apache and Mary Apache
- Lucha Libre World Cup (2016 Women's division) - with Lady Apache and Mary Apache
- Kaoz Lucha Libre
- Kaoz Women's Championship (1 time)
- Copa Martha Villalobos (2019)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 44 of the top 100 female wrestlers in the PWI Female 100 in 2019
5. Luchas de Apuestas Record
Faby Apache has participated in several Luchas de Apuestas matches, a traditional Mexican wrestling contest where the competitors wager their hair or mask.
| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faby Apache (hair) | La Hechicera (hair) | Orizaba, Veracruz | Live event | November 2, 2002 | |
| Faby Apache (hair) | May Flowers (hair) | Naucalpan, Mexico State | Live event | October 19, 2003 | This was a Relevos mixtos (Mixed Tag Team) Intergender match. |
| Faby Apache (hair) | Mari Apache (hair) | Mexico City | Triplemanía XVI | June 13, 2008 | |
| Sexy Star (hair) | Faby Apache (hair) | Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas | Guerra de Titanes | December 11, 2009 | |
| Lady Shani (mask) | Faby Apache (hair) | Mexico City | Triplemanía XXVI | August 25, 2018 |
6. Assessment and Legacy
Faby Apache's enduring career and significant achievements have cemented her status as a prominent figure in the world of professional wrestling, particularly within Lucha Libre.
6.1. Overall Assessment
Faby Apache is widely regarded as one of the most consistent and versatile luchadoras of her generation. Her longevity in a demanding sport, coupled with her ability to adapt to various storylines and opponents, showcases her technical skill and strong character portrayal. She has consistently been featured in high-profile matches and storylines within AAA, demonstrating her reliability as a main event talent for the women's division. Her willingness to engage in deeply personal and prolonged storylines, such as those involving her family, resonated deeply with audiences and added a layer of emotional depth to her performances, setting her apart from many contemporaries.
6.2. Impact on Women's Lucha Libre
Faby Apache's contributions to the development and popularization of women's professional wrestling in Mexico are substantial. As a multi-time Reina de Reinas Champion and Mixed Tag Team Champion, she consistently elevated the visibility and prestige of female wrestlers. Her involvement in highly publicized Luchas de Apuestas matches against both male and female competitors, especially those against her sister Mari Apache and rival Sexy Star, brought significant attention to women's wrestling. Her participation in international events like the Lucha Libre World Cup and appearances in promotions like Impact Wrestling and AEW further showcased Mexican women's wrestling on a global stage. Faby Apache's consistent presence and pivotal role in major story arcs have helped to legitimize and expand the opportunities for future generations of female wrestlers, making her a vital influence on the sport's evolution in Mexico.