‘Silver King’ wrestler dies after collapsing in front of fans
A MEXICAN wrestler died of a suspected heart attack in the ring after being pinned by his opponent.
Camden Council said it will today launch an investigation after César Cuauhtémoc González Barrón passed away in front of crowds at the Roundhouse theatre in north-west London on Saturday night.
Known as Silver King, the 51-yearold wrestler lay stricken on the mat for several minutes before he was treated by trained medical staff during the live show.
His opponent, Juventud “The Juice” Guerrera, the former WWE star, and the referee continued the match while he was dying, having not realised how serious his condition was.
By the time paramedics arrived at the venue at 10.26pm, five minutes after they were called, González was beyond help.
Best known for starring alongside Jack Black in the 2006 comedy Nacho Libre, the Mexican was the main attraction at the Roundhouse’s Greatest Show of Lucha Libre, which was advertised as a family event.
In footage posted online, he is seen collapsing face-first on the mat after leaping through the air to strike Guerrera. Believing it was part of the act, fans chanted “Silver” as González, a wrestling star with WCW in the late Nineties, remained motionless.
Minutes passed as his opponent continued the staged bout by playing to the crowd and pinning the downed performer for victory.
Once the match was over, other wrestlers rushed to the ring and tried to help by rolling González into the recovery position. Although paramedics arrived soon after and tried to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
After watching the events unfold, some fans suggested his life could have been saved if he had received medical help sooner.
Alex Brinded tweeted: “Just saw @Ramses silver king fall in the ring at @camdenroundhouse and not get up. Medical response was slow and worrying.
Left when chest pumping happening.”
Chris Brosnahan said the incident raised “serious concerns”, adding: “Where were the first aiders? His opponent was clearly trying to end the match.”
After learning of González’s death, his former co-star Black tweeted: “Go with God, brother.”
Tributes also poured in from stars of the wrestling world, including Xpac and Eric Bischoff, the former WCW president.
Lucha Libre World, which promoted the event, said he “suffered what we believe was a cardiac arrest while performing in the show and sadly passed away”.
Showcasing staged strikes, throws and acrobatic clashes, professional wrestling events can only be put on in England if a licence is granted by the local authority. Wrestlers aim not to harm each other, but often suffer serious injuries. The theatrical bouts were a mainstay of British television in the Seventies and Eighties, when performers including Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy became household names.
A spokesman for Camden council told The Daily Telegraph: “We will begin investigating the circumstances related to this incident from Monday.”
The Roundhouse also began probing the circumstances of González’s death yesterday.
A spokesman said: “At this stage the details are still being investigated so we don’t have more information we can share. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and all of the Lucha Libre team.”