Wrestler Charged With Manslaughter After Pile-Driving Referee

(Photo by Alvaro Diaz / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

A professional wrestler has been released from custody in Hidalgo, Mexico, after allegedly killing a referee with an extreme move during a match.

Spanish newspaper El País reported that luchador El Hijo de Fishman was released after being charged with manslaughter following the death of 75-year-old German Pineda, whose ring name was El Búho. Fishman reached a “compensation agreement” with Pineda’s family and was able to avoid prosecution, the report said.

Fishman reportedly applied a “double underhook piledriver” on Pineda, whose head was smashed into the ground. Fans apparently believed that Pineda’s injury was part of the act, and he lay unattended and motionless “for minutes” before anyone checked on him.

“There was reportedly no ambulance or medical personnel on hand; those are required for Hidalgo shows, and this card was running a bit under the radar,” Lucha Blog reported. “When paramedics arrived, they could only confirm that [the referee] had passed away.”

Thirty-six-year-old Fishman was arrested Wednesday and charged with manslaughter. El País also reported that the event lacked proper authorization, leading to the venue’s closure.

Wrestling organization El Patron Espectaculos Lucha Libre released a statement confirming that Pineda “unfortunately lost his life” during the part of the night’s events that included a match between Fishman and another wrestler, Mascara Sagrada.

The statement was translated from Spanish on Facebook:

Given the regrettable events that occurred during the early hours of this Wednesday, October 7, in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, during a Lucha Libre event in which independent wrestler Hijo de Fishman and referee Gerardo Germán Pineda, “El Búho,” participated, who unfortunately lost his life, El Patrón Espectáculos informs:

Our company is attentive to the development of the situation and has arranged accompaniment and legal assistance for Hijo de Fishman, so that the corresponding process is carried out in accordance with the law and before the competent authorities.

The lawyer and legal representative of the company maintains contact with the family of Mr. Gerardo Germán Pineda, “El Búho,” and with their legal representatives, to handle the case in the best way and guarantee respect for all parties involved.

The legal process continues, so, in respect for the authorities and due process, this company will refrain from issuing additional information that could interfere with or prejudge the facts.

We ask the fans, media, and members of the guild to act with prudence, discretion, and respect, and to avoid the dissemination of rumors or unconfirmed information, so as not to hinder the investigations and out of respect for all parties involved and their families.

We deeply regret the loss of a life and express our solidarity to his family, friends, and colleagues in the Lucha Libre guild.

Fishman is the son of former Lucha Libre champion José Ángel Nájera Sánchez, who was also known professionally as Fishman. He wrestled from the 1980s through his death in 2017, USA Today reported.

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