Sergio Carelli, the giant Gorutta Jones from 100% Lucha, has died

Sergio Carelli, known to millions of Argentines as the imposing Gorutta Jones on the show 100% Lucha, passed away after a long battle with serious health issues. The news was confirmed by his friend and colleague Vicente Viloni, who had recently announced the death of another key figure from the show, Pablo Más Albert, Lieutenant Murphy.

Viloni shared an emotional message on Instagram bidding farewell to his "dear Chiqui" and asking him to rest in peace. The post included a nod to the recent passing of Murphy, inviting them to wait for him for a great fight in the afterlife.

For months, Carelli was hospitalized at Pirovano Hospital due to a severe sciatic nerve injury that was complicated by issues with his spine, hips, and intervertebral discs. This left him immobilized and unable to work. His colleagues organized solidarity campaigns to collect donations and blood.

Viloni himself had requested prayer chains while Gorutta fought "his toughest battle." The family also sought help to cover funeral expenses.

A career forged with effort

Before reaching television, Carelli excelled in professional bodybuilding and amateur boxing. That past of intense training, as he himself admitted, was part of the origin of his later pains. "When you do a sport with passion, you don't think about the future," he had reflected.

He entered 100% Lucha almost by chance, recommended by a friend who knew that Telefe was looking for someone with his imposing physique: over two meters tall and 140 kilos. He knew nothing about wrestling, but learned on the go. His character, a Canadian hockey player with a green and yellow mask, white helmet, and stick, quickly became one of the favorites among young audiences, despite being intended as a villain.

One of his most cherished memories was climbing to the second rope at Luna Park and hearing 12,000 people shouting his name. "That was an unforgettable dream," he recalled with emotion. He participated in memorable matches against La Masa, Ron Doxon, Hip Hop Man, and Viloni, and became champion by defeating McFloyd.

In addition to the action in the ring, what he enjoyed most was sharing his helmet and stick with the kids in the audience, bringing the character closer to the youngest fans.

The last years and the legacy

After the show, which aired from 2006 to 2010 on Telefe, Carelli made a living as a taxi driver until his body could no longer respond. In March 2025, from his hospital bed, he expressed his suffering: "There are days when I can't take the pain anymore. I'm afraid they'll say there's nothing to be done."

Daniel Garcilazo, Hip Hop Man, visited his friend and shared the pain on social media. Several former colleagues came together to support him financially and with blood donations during his hospitalization.

Carelli always expressed gratitude for that solidarity: "Whoever reaches into their pocket to help me has my lifelong gratitude." His passing leaves a void in the generation that grew up with Argentine wrestling in the 2000s, a phenomenon that marked the television of the time.

With his height, presence, and charisma, Gorutta Jones earned a special place in the hearts of fans. Today, the world of Argentine wrestling bids him farewell with affection and remembers his best moments in the ring, where he gave his all until the end.