Wrestler Silver King dies after collapsing in ring during fight in London

Former WCW star, professional wrestler Silver King died on Saturday after collapsing in the ring during a fight in London, officials said.

The 51-year-old wrestler, whose real name is César Cuauhtémoc González Barrón, was performing in the Lucha Libre show at the Roundhouse when he died according to the organizers of the event.

The statement shared on the Twitter reads, “Last night Silver King sadly lost his life during an event at the Roundhouse. 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”

Barrón had also appeared opposite Hollywood star Jack Black in the 2006 comedy Nacho Libre as the villain Ramses. He was to portray the villainous character during the show on Saturday, according to Roundhouse’s website.

According to the witnesses, Silver King’s co-performers did not initially realize there was a problem after he collapsed to the floor after a kick to the side of his body.

According to the Camden New Journal, after Barrón initially collapsed, fans chanted “Silver, Silver,” before being told there would be a break in the show until the venue was cleared out.

WWE in a statement said that it was “saddened” to learn of his death.

“A champion luchador in his native Mexico, Silver King, real name César Cuauhtémoc González Barrón, entertained audiences across the globe, and was a standout in WCW’s Cruiserweight division in the late ’90s,” WWE said.

“Outside the ring, he appeared under a mask as the villainous Ramses in the popular 2006 comedy “Nacho Libre.”

“WWE extends its deepest condolences to Silver King’s family, friends and fans,” the group added.

Silver King joined World Championship Wrestling in 1997 and regularly appeared on its showpiece TV program 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.

Tributes are pouring in on social media over this loss of the wrestling world.