Hijo de Fishman detained after referee El Búho dies in Mexico

Independent wrestling referee Gerardo Germán Pineda, known professionally as El Búho, died during a lucha libre show that ran from Tuesday night into the early hours of Wednesday, October 7, at the Centro Deportivo Cultural 11 de Julio in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, Mexico, according to Fox Sports Mexico. Wrestler Hijo de Fishman has been detained by the Mineral de la Reforma public security department and turned over to the state prosecutor’s office while authorities investigate a possible negligent homicide, El Informador reported.

The Match And The In-Ring Incident

Pineda was refereeing the main event of a show called Deslealtades between Hijo de Fishman and Máscara Sagrada NG, Fox Sports Mexico reported. Mexican outlets state that Hijo de Fishman allegedly delivered a martinete, or piledriver, to Pineda after the match had concluded, and that Pineda did not get up. Vanguardia reported that paramedics were called to the ring and confirmed that Pineda had no vital signs.

Citing local reports on X, lucha libre reporter luchablog noted that Pineda remained on the mat for several minutes without anyone checking on him because attendees assumed he was selling the maneuver, adding that medical personnel and an ambulance were reportedly absent from the venue. Wrestlezone noted that the piledriver was allegedly delivered without Pineda’s consent and that the move is banned in Mexican lucha libre.

The Investigation And Detention Of Hijo de Fishman

Following the incident, officers from the Mineral de la Reforma public security department detained Hijo de Fishman and handed him over to the state prosecutor’s office, El Informador reported. Prosecutors have a 48-hour window, according to TUDN, to determine whether to set him free or request that he be bound over for trial. He has not been convicted of a crime.

Vanguardia reported that the official cause of death has not been established and that forensic studies will have to determine whether the piledriver caused it. Authorities have not released a detailed public account of what happened, and WrestlingNews.co noted that it has not seen verified video of the move, as clips and screenshots circulating on social media remain unverified by the outlet.

Patron Espectáculos Arranges Legal Assistance for Hijo De Fishman

The promotion stated that it has arranged legal assistance for Hijo de Fishman and that its representative is in contact with Pineda’s family.

Our company is attentive to the developing situation and has arranged accompaniment and legal assistance for Hijo de Fishman, so that the corresponding process is carried out in accordance with the law and before the competent authorities.Patron Espectáculos

The promotion asked fans, media, and members of the wrestling industry to act with discretion and avoid the spread of unconfirmed information while the legal process continues. Vanguardia also reported that El Patrón Espectáculos is providing support to the wrestler and maintaining communication with the referee’s family.

The Career Of Referee El Búho

Pineda spent about 15 years wrestling under the name El Búho Negro II before transitioning to refereeing, a role he maintained for nearly three decades, primarily at Arena Afición in Pachuca, according to local reports cited by WrestlingNews.co. During his career as a referee, he officiated matches involving prominent lucha libre figures including Mil Máscaras, Canek, Dos Caras, El Hijo del Santo, and Blue Panther. Local reports list his age at 75.

Hijo de Fishman, the son of the late wrestler Fishman, debuted in 2008 and has wrestled for promotions including IWRG and The Crash, TUDN reported. As the 48-hour window for prosecutors to evaluate the case proceeds, authorities continue their investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding Pineda’s death.