Wrestling referee dies after prohibited maneuver in Mexico

A 75-year-old wrestling referee, Gerardo German Pineda, known professionally as "El Buho," died in the ring during a Lucha Libre event in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, October 7, at the Centro Deportivo Cultural 11 de Julio in the Mineral de la Reforma municipality.

During a match between wrestlers "El Hijo de Fishman" and "Mascara Sagrada NG," a confrontation broke out between the referee and the 36-year-old wrestler Hijo de Fishman. Following a dispute during the match, the wrestler applied a prohibited maneuver known as a "martinete" or "piledriver" to Pineda. The audience initially mistook the referee’s lack of movement for part of the choreographed show. However, it was later confirmed that the maneuver, which is banned in professional wrestling due to its high risk of severe injury, resulted in his death.

Authorities have arrested the 36-year-old wrestler, who now faces potential charges of negligent homicide. An investigation into the event and the conduct of the athlete is currently underway.