Mexican wrestler detained on manslaughter charge after referee dies from alleged piledriver

In a Hidalgo event organized by El Patrón Espectáculos Lucha Libre, 36-year-old wrestler El Hijo de Fishman faced Mascara Sagrada when he reportedly performed a piledriver on 75-year-old referee Gerardo German Pineda, known as El Buho. Pineda failed to rise after the maneuver and was later declared dead. Earlier footage from the match shows a safe bodyslam on Pineda, and a disputed photo of the piledriver has been shared online, though no video of the fatal move has emerged.

Witnesses say the referee lay motionless for minutes, mistakenly thought to be part of the performance, and that no ambulance or medical personnel were on site, contrary to local regulations. Paramedics arrived only to confirm the death, and authorities have taken El Hijo de Fishman into custody on a manslaughter allegation. The promotion expressed regret and pledged legal assistance for the wrestler while coordinating with the victim’s family and representatives.