Gerardo Germán Pineda was 75 years old and had spent half his life officiating in the ring. In Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, during the main event of an independent wrestling show, wrestler El Hijo de Fishman, 36, allegedly hit him with a piledriver, a banned move. “El Búho”, as he was known in wrestling circles, was left motionless. According to Steph Heredia, a spectator, everyone thought it was part of the show, because things like that happen frequently in wrestling. But the referee remained on the ground for several minutes, and by the time paramedics arrived, he had no vital signs.
According to local reports, there was no ambulance or medical personnel at the venue, although in Hidalgo they are required at these events. Fishman was detained by municipal police and turned over to the prosecutor’s office on suspicion of negligent homicide, a crime that could carry a prison sentence of between 5 and 15 years. A hearing is expected within 48 hours to decide whether he will be released or charged. The cause of death has not yet been officially confirmed, and sources disagree on whether the move was actually a piledriver.
The promoter, El Patrón Espectáculos Lucha Libre, said it is cooperating with authorities and remains in contact with the referee’s family.
