Rey Mysterio Jr could face manslaughter charge in Mexican wrestler death

MANILA, Philippines – Former World Wrestling Entertainment star Rey Mysterio Jr could face manslaughter charges stemming from the in-ring death of fellow wrestler Pedro Aguayo Ramirez.

The lucha libre wrestler, who wrestled under the name Perro Aguayo Jr, died on Saturday, March 21 after taking a dropkick to the side of the neck while tag teaming with Manik against Mysterio Jr and Xtreme Tiger at the Municipal Auditorium in Tijuana, Mexico.

Several videos of the incident have emerged of the incident showing Mysterio hitting the dropkick to set the 35-year-old Aguayo up for his finishing maneuver, the 619. Aguayo landed with his neck on the second rope and remained slumped there until after the match.  

Former World Championship Wrestling star Konnan went over to check on him, as did Mysterio, breaking character as his opponent to inform the referee of his opponent’s plight. The match continued for two minutes as a 2-on-1 before Aguayo was stretchered out. 

The Associated Press reports that the Baja California state prosecutor’s office has ruled the cause of death to be trauma to the neck and a cervical fracture, and has opened an investigation into a possible manslaughter charge. 

Mysterio, whose real name is Oscar Gutierrez, tweeted his condolences to Aguayo in Spanish.

“We formed our brotherhood only a few years back and we should not question God’s plan,” writes Mysterio.

“But on this occasion, I’m asking why and I don’t understand. I miss you and will take you with me for the rest of my life, rest in peace Hijo del Perro.” 

Apenas se formaba una amistad de hermanos que empeso años atras y no deberiamos cuestionar los designios de Dios. pic.twitter.com/HzlWE16wLS

— Rey Mysterio (@reymysterio) March 21, 2015

The show was promoted by The Crash but Aguayo had wrestled for the Mexico based Asistencia Asesoría y Administración. He began wrestling at age 15 and was also known as El Hijo del Perro Aguayo, a reference to his father, Mexican wrestling legend Perro Aguayo.

AP also reports that the ringside doctor was not on the scene because he was helping another injured performer, but paramedics and a doctor in the audience attended. – with translations by Ryan Macasero/Rappler.com