Former WCW wrestler Silver King has died after collapsing in the ring during a show in London.

The 51-year-old, who starred opposite Hollywood star Jack Black in the 2006 comedy Nacho Libre, had been performing at the Roundhouse in Camden on Saturday evening.

Organisers of the Lucha Libre show confirmed his death as tributes from Black and others poured in for the Mexican, whose real name was Cesar Barron.

He is said to have suffered a heart attack in the ring, Mexican outlet Record has reported.

Image: Witnesses said Silver King's co-performers initially did not realise there was a problem

S I L V E R K I N G



🖤 1968 - 2019 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/LJJSyrwyfM — Lucha Libre AAA (@luchalibreaaa) May 12, 2019

According to the Camden New Journal, Silver King's co-performers did not initially realise there was a problem after he collapsed following a kick to the side of his body while facing former WWE star Juventud "The Juice" Guerrera.


He was turned over and counted out but when he failed to recover, a team of medics rushed on stage, the newspaper said.

Fans chanted "Silver, Silver" before the audience was told there would be a short break, and the venue was cleared out shortly afterwards, it was reported.

A member of the audience told the Camden New Journal: "It seemed to be part of the show at first but then he didn't get up - and then the medical team was on the stage.

"Everybody was cleared out and lots of police and ambulances were there."

The London Ambulance Service said paramedics arrived five minutes after being called at 10.21pm, but the wrestler was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to a description of the show on the Roundhouse's website, Silver King was due to portray his villainous character Ramses from the film Nacho Libre.

Image: Silver King during a show at the Roundhouse in Camden in 2008

The official Lucha Libre Twitter account posted a picture of the wrestler captioned "Rest in Peace".

The tweet read: "Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide joins the grief that the Luchistica family has for the death of Cesar Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez Barron "SILVER KING"."

Black posted a photo of the wrestler on Instagram and wrote in Spanish, "vaya con dios, hermano", which means "go with God, brother".

Former WWE stars Chris Jericho, X-Pac and Tommy Dreamer and ex-WCW president Eric Bischoff were also among those to pay tribute.

It was an honor to have been friends & shared the ring with the great Silver King. He & Tejano were an amazing team. He truly was one of the greats & I'm heartbroken to learn of his passing. 🙏 #RIPSilverKing pic.twitter.com/WhM1zM9jfp — Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) May 12, 2019

Terrible news of Silver King passing away in the ring tonight

He was a star in Mexico, Japan & WCW

He was Ramses in movie Nacho Libre

Pray for strength for his family pic.twitter.com/FYVk4i59qo — Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) May 11, 2019

X-Pac, whose real name is Sean Waltman, said he was "truly one of the greats", while Jericho thanked him "for taking care of me and teaching me to become a better worker".

Barron was the son of another Lucha wrestler Dr Wagner, and his brother Dr Wagner Junior also competed as a wrestler.

He paid tribute to his brother online, changing his Twitter profile to an image of a black ribbon.

Bischoff said: "I am saddened to hear about the passing of Silver King. Like so many of the great Luchadores that helped Americans appreciate Lucha Libre and make Nitro the success it was, he will be missed. Thank you and RIP."

Image: Silver King often portrayed the villainous character Ramses

Silver King joined World Championship Wrestling in 1997 and regularly appeared on its showpiece TV programme WCW Monday Nitro.

His highest profile match was an unsuccessful challenge for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship against Guerrera at Fall Brawl 1998.

He was released by the WCW in late 2000.

Lucha Libre wrestling was first introduced in the early 20th century and is known for its colourful masks, elaborate costumes, acrobatic techniques and high-flying manoeuvres.

The Roundhouse has said the circumstances of the wrestler's death are being investigated.

A statement added: "Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and all of the Lucha Libre team."