Authorities in Mexico reported on Monday that a “lucha libre” wrestler was discovered dead in the north-central state of Guanajuato over the weekend. Saturday in the city of Irapuato, the body of a wrestler known as “Maremoto” or “Tidal Wave” was discovered abandoned behind a National Guard barracks, according to the state prosecutors’ office.
Promoters of local professional wrestling matches postponed a scheduled contest on Sunday, citing the deaths of “Maremoto” and “Lepra” or “Leprosy.”
“Out of respect for the families of our colleagues Lepra and Maremoto, and as a mark of sadness, our event on Sunday, August 28 has been canceled,” stated a statement from the match promoters Promociones Freseros Brothers.
The prosecutor’s office had previously confirmed “Lepra’s” demise. Local media reported that his real name was Salvador Garcia and that he may have worked in Irapuato’s municipal government.
Many wrestlers have day jobs because the sport, at least at the local level, does not pay much.
Last week, both guys were reportedly kidnapped in Irapuato.
Photos of a flag signed by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel that was found near one of the bodies surfaced on social media over the weekend.
The banner accused the two men, as well as a third wrestler known as “Juventud Rebelde” who was killed in May, of working for a rival gang. The cartel of Jalisco is also known by its initials, CJNG.
The banner stated, “To the comrades in the Lucha Libre profession, the CJNG has nothing against you personally.” The actions of Juventud Rebelde ‘Jerry,’ Lepra Salvador, and Maremoto constituted direct attacks.
On April 23, 2021, a bullet-riddled wall with the initials of the criminal organization Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) can be seen at the entrance of the community of Aguililla in the Mexican state of Michoacán. Enrique Castro/AFP via Getty Images
The banner stated that they were affiliated with the Santa Rosa de Lima gang, which has been engaged in territorial disputes with the Jalisco cartel in Guanajuato for years.
In recent years, lucha libre has suffered, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic, when nearly all matches were canceled and an exceptionally high number of wrestlers died of COVID-19. But unlike norteño musicians, lucha libre wrestlers had until now mainly spared drug cartel violence.
Lucha libre wrestling is a national activity of Mexico. It is the second most popular sport in the country, second only to soccer.
The sport is characterized by theatrical antics and a tradition of “rudos” (rule-breaking villains) and “tecnicos” (handsome nice men).
In May, Mexican officials reported they had apprehended a suspected CJNG leader. Francisco Javier Rodriguez Hernandez, often known as “El Seorón” or “XL” or “Frank,” was caught by navy agents in the tourist city of Mazatlan in the northwest state of Sinaloa.
More than 340,000 people have been killed in cartel-related violence in Mexico since 2006, when the government launched a contentious anti-drug operation including federal soldiers.
In April, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador admitted that criminals had infiltrated a special force trained by U.S. officials to combat drug cartels.
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