Remember ‘The Silver King,’ wrestler and actor.
A few days ago the world lost one of the greatest luchador enmascarados (masked wrestlers) of all time. “The Silver King” was popular on the wrestling scene. You may remember him as “Ramses,” the main villain, in Nacho Libre, a film that starred comedian, Jack Black.
In Nacho Libre, The Silver King (as Ramses), wore a gold suit. Jack Black (as Nacho Libre) was a wrestler who had to win matches to save an orphanage from possible closure. The film was a hit and also generated a popular video game.
Cesar Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez Barron was born January 9, 1968, in Torreon, Mexico. He had a brother, a fellow wrestler, Dr. Wagner Jr. His father, Dr. Wagner, also a wrestler, was popular in the 1960s.
Wrestling was in the family. So it’s no surprise that The Silver King started wrestling at an early age, making his debut in 1986 as El Invasor (The Invader). From there, he went on to become The Silver King–doing so without connection to family ties. That ended in 1987 when he lost a bet match and was unmasked as Dr. Wagner’s son.
In the ’90s, The Silver King wrestled with Los Cowboys aka “El Texano.” The team won championships and awards. The Silver King won many individual awards as well.
Sadly, The Silver King’s life came to an end last weekend–poetically in the ring where he made a name for himself. It happened during a match last weekend in London, England. The Silver King collapsed, succumbing to a heart attack. The Silver King was just 51 years old.
Recuerda el Rey de Plata (Remember the Silver King), wrestler and actor, and indeed a man with a legacy.
