Mexican wrestling has lost one of its longtime veterans. José Guadalupe Fuentes Ochoa, better known to wrestling fans as Babe Face, has passed away at 79 years old.
The news was shared by El Hijo del Santo on September 25, 2026, as he paid tribute to Babe Face and remembered him as a major figure in Mexican wrestling and a beloved colleague. Babe Face made his professional wrestling debut in 1970 and spent much of his career working as a rudo despite his seemingly innocent ring name. El Hijo del Santo remembered Babe Face with an emotional tribute following his passing.
“I deeply regret the passing of my dear ‘Baby Face’
José Guadalupe Fuentes Ochoa.
August 31, 1947 — September 25, 2026Great figure of Mexican Wrestling
and beloved professional companion.Rest in peace.
Our deepest condolences to his family, friends
and to the entire Wrestling family.”
Babe Face built a career that stretched across several major promotions and wrestling scenes, including appearances for NJPW, AAA and CMLL. He was also closely associated with the Universal Wrestling Association, where he became known as a tough rudo and participated in numerous high-profile hair matches throughout his career.
One of his biggest championship accomplishments came in 1981 when he captured the Mexican National Light Heavyweight Championship. That title run lasted well over a year and became one of the defining accomplishments of his lengthy career.
Babe Face also crossed paths with a long list of notable names during his time in the ring, including Villano III, Perro Aguayo, El Signo, Brazo de Oro and Eddy Guerrero. His career helped make him a familiar name to generations of lucha libre fans before he eventually stepped away from regular competition.
The loss of Babe Face marks another sad day for Mexican wrestling, but his decades inside the ring left behind a career that stretched across promotions, countries and generations of talent. El Hijo del Santo’s tribute made it clear that Babe Face was remembered not only for what he accomplished in wrestling, but also for the relationships he built along the way.
What are your favorite memories of Babe Face and his career in lucha libre? Leave your thoughts, memories and condolences in the comments.
