Referee Dies After Piledriver in Mexican Wrestling Match, Wrestler Held on Manslaughter Charges

A professional wrestler known as El Hijo de Fishman, 36, has been arrested on manslaughter charges in Hidalgo, Mexico, after a referee died following a piledriver move performed during a match.

The referee, Gerardo German Pineda, 75, was officiating a bout between Fishman and Mascara Sagrada for the promotion El Patrón Espectáculos Lucha Libre when Fishman performed the piledriver on him. The move is designed to create the appearance of a wrestler being slammed head-first into the mat, with the performer’s body absorbing the impact so the target’s head never actually strikes the surface.

After the move, Pineda reportedly became immobile. He was later pronounced dead.

Luchablog, writing on X, said local reports indicate Pineda lay on the mat unmoving for several minutes before anyone checked on him.

“The local reports are that Buho lay on the mat unmoving for minutes before anyone checked on him, thinking he was selling. 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,” Luchablog wrote.

According to the same account, paramedics who eventually arrived could only confirm Pineda had died.

“When paramedics arrived, they could only confirm that Buho had passed away. Police are holding Hijo de Fishman in custody as they investigate. A photo of the piledriver is circulating. Can’t circulate a photo of a medic who isn’t there, but that’s going to be as big a deal,” Luchablog added.

El Patrón Espectáculos Lucha Libre called the incident “regrettable” in a statement.

“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 company said in Spanish.

The piledriver has long been treated with caution in professional wrestling because of its injury potential. Outlets including the California Post have noted that wrestlers such as Stone Cold Steve Austin have said WWE banned the move for years over safety concerns. Wrestlers have also produced tutorials over the years discussing how to execute it without harming the person on the receiving end.

Police in Hidalgo are continuing to investigate the circumstances of Pineda’s death while Fishman remains in custody.