Posted on by bdamage1
Brian Damage
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.
Principe Aereo
Luis Angel Salazar was trained to become a professional wrestler at the age of 16 by luchador Bandido. Salazar made his pro debut in 2013 under the alias of Principe Aereo or translated to English… the Aerial Prince. He competed mainly on Mexico’s independent circuit.
The high flyer nicknamed “Caballero del Aire” was just beginning to make waves in the wrestling business when tragedy struck the young, up and coming luchador. It was a tag team match that took place at the San Juan Pantitian Arena outside Mexico City. Principe Aereo was teaming with Puma de Oro against El Hijo del Espectro Jr. and Galeno Del Mal. Aereo was in the ring when he received two chops to the chest. He was about to receive a third chop, when he suddenly collapsed to the mat. His opponent and the referee immediately knew something was wrong and attended to Principe Aereo. Principe Aereo’s tag team partner was still under the impression that everything was still a part of the show and began kicking the luchador trying to help Principe Aereo.
After being advised that this wasn’t an act, the match was stopped and medical personnel rushed to the ring. Ultimately, Pricipe Aereo was pronounced dead at the hospital and it was initially believed that he suffered a fatal heart attack. An autopsy revealed that he actually suffered a brain aneurysm. His sudden death shocked the wrestling community in Mexico and the promoters of the event where he died paid for his hospital and funeral bills. Principe Aereo was just 23 years old at the time of his death.