Luchador El Hijo del Fishman Facing Manslaughter Charges After Referee’s In-Ring Death

Luchador El Hijo del Fishman remains in the custody of the Hidalgo State Attorney General’s Office following the death of a veteran referee during a match on Tuesday night. The 75-year-old official, Gerardo Germán Pineda, known professionally as “El Búho,” died after sustaining injuries from a high-impact wrestling maneuver during an event in Mineral de la Reforma, Mexico.

The incident occurred at the Centro Deportivo Cultural 11 de Julio during a contest between El Hijo del Fishman and Máscara Sagrada NG. During the performance, Fishman executed a double-underhook piledriver, or “martinete,” on Pineda. The referee collapsed immediately after the move. Witnesses and reports indicate that medical intervention was significantly delayed because spectators and event staff initially believed Pineda was “selling” the impact—a wrestling term for feigning an injury to enhance the drama of the show.

The 'martinete' is a banned move in most Mexican wrestling jurisdictions due to its extreme risk.

Investigation into Safety Violations

The death has brought intense scrutiny to the safety protocols at the venue. Preliminary reports suggest the event, which involved promotional entities Lucha Libre Vanguardia and Producciones IRC, may have violated Hidalgo state regulations by failing to have an ambulance or qualified medical personnel on-site. Without immediate professional assistance, the 75-year-old referee could not be resuscitated at the scene.

Pineda was a well-respected figure in the Lucha Libre community with a career spanning over three decades. Before becoming a full-time official, he competed in the ring under the name El Búho Negro II. His death has prompted a discussion regarding the use of the “martinete” in independent wrestling. The piledriver is a banned maneuver in most sanctioned Mexican wrestling jurisdictions due to the extreme risk of cervical and spinal cord injuries, particularly when performed on non-active competitors or older individuals.

Legal Consequences and Charges

El Hijo del Fishman is currently facing a charge of culpable homicide, a legal classification equivalent to manslaughter. Authorities in Hidalgo are currently in a 48-hour hearing period to determine if there is sufficient evidence to formally indict the wrestler or if he will be released pending further investigation. Under local statutes, a conviction for involuntary manslaughter can carry a prison sentence ranging from five to 15 years.

Authorities are investigating the lack of medical personnel at the event venue.

The promoter for the event, El Patrón Espectáculos, released a statement confirming they are providing legal assistance to Fishman while also maintaining contact with Pineda’s family. While some witnesses claimed there was an argument between the wrestler and the official before the move, investigators are working to determine if the “martinete” was a scripted part of the match that resulted in an accidental fatality or if it was an unsanctioned action by the performer.

The legal process will also examine the liability of the promoters and the venue management regarding the reported lack of emergency services. Under Hidalgo law, professional sporting events are required to have medical teams stationed nearby to handle trauma, a requirement that appears to have been unfulfilled on the night of the tragedy.

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