On May 12, 2012, González wrestled Colón in a bid to become the first contender, but the masked duo intervened and later revealed their identity as Thunder and Lightning, officializing the emergence La Nueva Familia as a heel anthithesis. This was followed by a mirror version of the angle where both teamed for the first time. This led to a bet at Aniversario, where González and Colón risked their hair and Thunder and Lightning their masks. Leading up to the event, he challenged Cruz for the Universal Championship, but the intervention of La Nueva Familia prevented a conclusion. At Summer Madness, González defeated a disguised Lightning, which was billed as a "surprise wrestler" brought in by "Barrabás" López. On June 29, 2012, he opened Aniversario by defeating Davey Richards during the first date of the event. The following night, González and Colón won the bet to unmask Thunder and Lightning, but lost a rematch to close Aniversario. The feud was extended throughout August and during this timeframe he defeated both members of Thunder and Lightning by disqualification. Both teams faced each other in a handcuff match at Septiembre Negro, but Colón turned on González, costing them the match and leading to a new feud. He made an unexpected alliance with Cruz, joining him in two losses and a win against Thunder and Lightning. At Halloween Wrestling Xtravaganza the tag team joined Carlos Colón Sr. to defeat Thunder & Lightning and "Barrabás" López.