# Mexican wrestling referee death and legal proceedings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mexican-wrestling-referee-death-and-legal-proceedings > Updated: 2026-10-14T01:27:50.000Z. Sources: 62. Developments: 4. A professional lucha libre match in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, resulted in the death of 75-year-old referee Gerardo Germán Pineda, known as ‘El Búho’. The incident occurred during a ‘Deslealtades’ event at the 11 de Julio Sports Center during a bout between Hijo de Fishman and Máscara Sagrada NG. Pineda was reportedly struck by a maneuver—identified in some reports as a ‘martinete’ and in others as a ‘contralona’—after intervening when Fishman violated rules by removing his opponent's mask. Witnesses noted that spectators initially believed the attack was part of the scripted performance, which may have delayed medical attention. Pineda was later pronounced dead by medical personnel. Following the incident, authorities arrested the wrestler identified as José Ángel Nájera López (Hijo de Fishman) on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter. Legal proceedings concluded when a reparatory agreement was reached with the victim's family. Under the terms of the settlement, Hijo de Fishman will pay approximately 586,000 pesos to Pineda's five children, a deal that required the unanimous consent of all five heirs. The promoter, El Patrón Espectáculos, confirmed through legal representatives that this agreement extinguished the criminal action against the wrestler, allowing him to avoid a criminal record and potential prison time. Following the agreement on October 9, Hijo de Fishman was released from prison. A necropsy has since determined that Pineda died from a traumatic brain injury, specifically resulting in cerebral edema and a subarachnoid hemorrhage. In statements regarding the incident, the wrestler denied any intention to cause harm, noting that while the risks of the sport are known, he did not anticipate a situation of this magnitude. ## Claims - Referee Gerardo Germán Pineda, known as ‘El Búho’, died during a wrestling match in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The incident occurred during the main event involving El Hijo de Fishman and Máscara Sagrada NG. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Security elements detained El Hijo de Fishman. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Emergency responders confirmed Pineda had no vital signs upon arrival at the venue. (corroborated by 3 sources) - El Hijo de Fishman allegedly applied a ‘martinete’, a prohibited high-risk maneuver, to the referee. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The death occurred at the Deportivo 11 de Julio between the night of October 6 and the early hours of October 7. (corroborated by 2 sources) - El Hijo de Fishman was placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry for possible involuntary manslaughter. (single source) - Official cause of death is pending medical-forensic studies. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-14: Hidalgo referee death linked to brain injury during wrestling match A necropsy confirmed that wrestling referee Gerardo ‘El Búho’ Pineda died from a brain injury sustained during a match in Hidalgo, Mexico, leading to the detention of wrestler El Hijo de Fishman. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hidalgo-referee-death-linked-to-brain-injury-during-wrestling-match ### 2026-10-12: Luchador El Hijo de Fishman reaches restitution agreement after referee's death Wrestler El Hijo de Fishman has avoided criminal charges by agreeing to pay 585,525 pesos to the family of referee Gerardo Pineda, who died after receiving a prohibited piledriver during a match. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/luchador-el-hijo-de-fishman-reaches-restitution-agreement-after-referees-death ### 2026-10-10: Wrestler El Hijo de Fishman released after agreement in referee's death Mexican wrestler El Hijo de Fishman has been released after reaching a 586,000-peso settlement with the family of referee Gerardo Germán Pineda, who died following a ring incident in Hidalgo. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-hijo-de-fishman-released-after-settlement-for-referees-death ### 2026-10-08: Hijo de Fishman arrested after wrestling referee dies in Mexico A 75-year-old wrestling referee, Gerardo Germán Pineda, died in Mexico after receiving a banned piledriver maneuver during a match, leading to the arrest of wrestler Hijo de Fishman. 53 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hijo-de-fishman-arrested-after-wrestling-referee-death-in-mexico --- Cite as: Mexican wrestling referee death and legal proceedings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mexican-wrestling-referee-death-and-legal-proceedings