Mexican wrestler El Hijo de Fishman has been released after reaching a reparatory agreement with the family of referee Gerardo Germán Pineda, known as El Búho. His release was announced Friday, October 9.
Pineda died during the early hours of October 7 at an independent lucha libre event at the Centro Deportivo Cultural 11 de Julio in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo. He was officiating a match between El Hijo de Fishman and Máscara Sagrada NG.
Authorities detained the wrestler and referred the case to the Hidalgo state prosecutor’s office for investigation into possible homicidio culposo, or negligent homicide, according to El Porvenir.
Wearing his mask, El Hijo de Fishman appeared alongside a representative of the law firm Magallán, Reyes y Asociados in a video shared by event promoter El Patrón Espectáculos Lucha Libre.
His Lawyer Says the Criminal Proceedings Have Ended
View this post on Instagram
The lawyer said the proceedings against El Hijo de Fishman had concluded. La Jornada reported that the announcement did not disclose the agreement’s terms, a compensation amount or the specific judicial resolution supporting his release. His representatives said they planned to provide more information at a press conference or in a statement.
Under Article 186 of Mexico’s National Code of Criminal Procedure, a reparatory agreement is made between the victim or injured party and the accused. Once approved by a prosecutor or control judge and fulfilled, it extinguishes the criminal action.
El Patrón had previously offered legal assistance to the wrestler. In its initial statement, the company said its legal representative was communicating with Pineda’s relatives and their attorneys. It also expressed condolences and asked fans, journalists and members of the wrestling community to avoid circulating unconfirmed claims while authorities examined the case.
Video Coverage Challenges the Piledriver Account
Early reports described the maneuver involving Pineda as a piledriver, known in Spanish as a martinete. El País described a sequence following a near fall in which Pineda approaches El Hijo de Fishman and pushes him.
The wrestler then lifts the referee and throws him onto the mat. According to the newspaper, Pineda lands on his back, rather than in the head-first position associated with a piledriver.
The recording also shows Pineda attempting to get up as the wrestlers continue the match. The footage does not establish the medical cause of his death.
Inspectors Partially Closed the Wrestling Venue
Civil Protection officials ordered a partial closure of the sports center on Wednesday afternoon. El Universal Hidalgo reported that administrators had failed to respond adequately to two inspections.
Municipal officials said organizers of similar events must apply for permits at least 15 days in advance, allowing authorities to check safety arrangements before a show takes place. At the time of the closure, officials said restrictions would remain while they determined what further measures to take.
El Hijo del Santo Called the Incident an Accident
View this post on Instagram
El Hijo del Santo defended El Hijo de Fishman in an October 8 social media post, calling what happened “an accident.” TV Azteca reported that the veteran wrestler based his argument on the risks performers face in the ring.
He recalled Silver King’s death during a 2019 match against Juventud Guerrera in London, at a show El Hijo del Santo had brought to the city. He argued that Juventud Guerrera should not be blamed for that death.
A Missing Referee Changed Pineda’s Career
Pineda spent approximately 15 years wrestling as El Búho Negro II before becoming an official. His twin brother Raúl, who performed as El Búho Negro I, had introduced him to the sport.
“The referee didn’t show up, and they told me, ‘Get in and referee,'” Pineda recalled in an earlier interview with Criterio Hidalgo, translated from Spanish. By then, the unexpected assignment had turned into nearly three decades of officiating.
At Arena Afición in Pachuca, he worked matches involving Mil Máscaras, Dos Caras, Canek, Blue Panther and El Hijo del Santo. He also recalled teaming with fellow official Rudy Sánchez in a match that pitted referees against referees. Their team won.
His son, El Búho Jr., became a wrestler too. Pineda said his son favored aerial moves and that he urged him to be careful. Away from the ring, he valued being recognized by fans who stopped him in the street to ask for photographs.
Wrestlers Carried His Coffin at the Pachuca Farewell
Relatives, wrestlers and longtime colleagues gathered at Pachuca’s municipal cemetery on Thursday, October 8. Criterio Hidalgo described members of the local wrestling community carrying Pineda’s coffin, with performers from different generations joining the farewell.
Luger, El Áspid and Godzilla were among those who raised a symbolic toast with anise liqueur, recalling something Pineda enjoyed. His children, siblings and grandchildren shared tributes near the graveside.
El Universal Hidalgo’s account described the song “Los Luchadores” playing as mourners applauded and said goodbye. Pineda was buried beside Raúl, who died in 1997.