Foto: BB.LV / Hijo de Fishman и Херардо Херман Пинеда
At first, the spectators thought what was happening was part of the show and did not immediately realize that a person actually needed help. The athlete was detained on suspicion of causing death by negligence, but a few days later, the case took an unexpected turn. The tragedy occurred on October 6 during a lucha libre wrestling show at the 11 de Julio sports and cultural center in the municipality of Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo state. In one of the main matches of the evening, wrestlers Hijo de Fishman and Máscara Sagrada NG competed. The match was officiated by 75-year-old Gerardo Herman Pineda, known in the world of Mexican wrestling by the nickname El Búho — "The Owl." During the performance, Hijo de Fishman executed a dangerous move on the referee, known as martinete or piledriver. In this maneuver, the opponent is flipped upside down and sharply dropped onto the ring, creating a risk of severe head and cervical spine injuries. This move is prohibited in Mexican wrestling due to its danger. After the incident, the referee remained motionless on the ring. ## Spectators Thought It Was Part of the Show The particularly tragic circumstance was that those around did not immediately realize the seriousness of the situation. In professional wrestling, many strikes and falls are pre-planned in the script, and participants often portray loss of consciousness or severe pain. According to reports from specialized sports publications, Pineda remained motionless for several minutes while spectators and event participants assumed he was continuing to play his role. When it became clear that the referee was not responding, medical assistance was called. Arriving specialists confirmed the referee's death. Later reports emerged that there was no standby ambulance crew at the event, although local regulations require medical support for such performances. ## Arrest After the Tragedy On October 7, Mexican law enforcement detained the wrestler known as Hijo de Fishman. He was suspected of causing death by negligence. The incident caused a significant public outcry in Mexico. Videos circulated online showing the athlete lifting the referee and throwing him onto the ring. However, according to the specialized publication POST Wrestling, the video of the alleged deadly move was not publicly presented. The deceased Gerardo Herman Pineda was a well-known figure in Mexican wrestling. Before becoming a referee, he himself performed in the ring and then worked as an official for many years. ## Unexpected Turn: Athlete Released However, by October 9, it became known that Hijo de Fishman had been released. As reported by Mexican publications El País and N+, the athlete's lawyers managed to reach an agreement with the family of the deceased referee, which included compensation for damages. According to defense representatives, the reached agreement allowed for the case to be closed without further criminal proceedings against the wrestler. After his release, the athlete appeared in a video alongside his lawyers. He did not provide detailed comments on the incident. The show organizers promised to hold a press conference later to clarify the circumstances of the tragedy and avoid the spread of rumors. Thus, the story that began with the death of an experienced referee in front of spectators and the arrest of a famous wrestler ended with an agreement with the family of the deceased. The tragedy once again drew attention to the safety of professional wrestling, where the line between a staged performance and real danger can sometimes be extremely thin.
