Mexican wrestler Hijo de Fishman charged with manslaughter after referee’s death

A Mexican wrestler, Hijo de Fishman, has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a 75-year-old referee, Gerardo German Pineda, also known as El Búho, during a wrestling match. The incident took place on October 6, 2023, during an El Patron Espectaculos Lucha Libre event in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, Mexico. Pineda's death occurred after Hijo de Fishman executed a piledriver move on the referee.

The wrestler was arrested on October 7, 2023, in Hidalgo, Mexico. According to local reports, the wrestler performed a double underhook piledriver, trapping the referee's head between his legs and driving him towards the mat. The referee did not respond after the move and was pronounced dead by medical personnel. El Patron Espectaculos Lucha Libre, the promotion's statement, expressed regret for the loss of life and said they were providing legal assistance to Hijo de Fishman.

They also asked fans, media outlets, and wrestling community members to refrain from circulating unverified claims during the ongoing investigation.