A veteran wrestling referee died in the ring after allegedly being hit with a banned move during a bout.
Gerardo Germán Pineda, better known as “El Búho”, collapsed during the main event on Tuesday night (6 October).
The 75-year-old was working as a referee when he became involved in the action between Hijo de Fishman and Máscara Sagrada NG.
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He was reportedly subjected to a “martinete” – also known as a piledriver – before being left motionless on the canvas in Mineral de la Reforma, Mexico.
Lucha libre is Mexico’s colourful professional wrestling tradition, featuring masked wrestlers, high-flying moves and choreographed bouts.
The wrestlers stopped the match when they realised El Búho was not getting back up, and paramedics were called.
But he was later confirmed dead at the scene, as reported by Need To Know.
Hijo de Fishman, whose real name has been given as J. Á. N., was arrested and placed at the disposal of prosecutors on suspicion of culpable homicide – broadly equivalent to manslaughter in England and Wales.
Footage, witness statements and forensic evidence are expected to form part of the investigation.
One spectator, Steph Heredia, claimed the wrestler had argued with the referee after losing the bout before applying the move.
She said: “We all thought it was part of the show because it is something that happens very commonly.”
She added that El Búho did not react afterwards and that spectators began asking for medical help.
The martinete is considered one of lucha libre’s most dangerous moves and is banned in Mexican wrestling because of the risk of serious neck and spinal injuries.
Pineda had spent decades in the sport, first wrestling for around 15 years as El Búho Negro II.
He then became a referee almost by chance after stepping in to replace an absent official – a role he went on to perform for nearly three decades.
During his career, he shared the ring with Mexican wrestling legends including Mil Máscaras, Canek, Dos Caras, El Hijo del Santo, Último Guerrero and Blue Panther.
His son, known as El Búho Jr., is also involved in the independent wrestling scene.
Hijo de Fishman, 35, is the son of legendary Mexican wrestler Fishman, nicknamed the “Green Venom”.
He has followed his father’s masked wrestling legacy for around 15 years and has wrestled internationally, including in the US, Japan, England, Canada and Central America.
He is known as a “rudo” – one of lucha libre’s villainous or rule-breaking characters – and has previously been filmed attacking a referee with a chair during a 2022 match in Mexicali.
His promoter, El Patrón Espectáculos, is reportedly providing him with legal assistance while also remaining in contact with Pineda’s family.
The investigation into the veteran referee’s death remains ongoing.
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