MEXICO CITY: 75-YEAR-OLD REFEREE DIES AFTER RECEIVING A PILEDRIVER FROM "EL HIJO DE FISHMAN"; WRESTLER DETAINED FOR ALLEGED HOMICIDE: A wrestling event ended in tragedy after 75-year-old referee Gerardo Germán Pineda—known as "El Búho" (The Owl)—lost his life after receiving a dangerous move known as a piledriver, allegedly executed by professional wrestler El Hijo de Fishman.
The incident occurred during an event titled "Deslealtades" (Betrayals), held on the night of Tuesday, October 6, at the 11 de Julio Sports and Cultural Center, while El Hijo de Fishman was facing Máscara Sagrada NG. During the match, the referee was struck by a variation of the piledriver and lay motionless on the mat. Paramedics arrived at the scene but could only confirm his death.
Wrestler José Ángel N. L., 36, was detained and placed in the custody of the Public Prosecutor's Office, while the Hidalgo Attorney General's Office investigates the case as a possible involuntary manslaughter.
Authorities also shut down the venue after discovering that the event had taken place without the necessary permits. Furthermore, it was reported that neither an ambulance nor medical personnel were available when the tragedy occurred.
The piledriver is a high-risk maneuver banned by various wrestling commissions due to the severe cervical injuries it can cause.
Authorities are currently investigating whether the move directly caused the death of the veteran referee, who had dedicated nearly three decades to officiating matches in the ring.
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