Death of a 75-Year-Old Referee: A Dark Chapter in Lucha Libre History and Legal Complexity

At the 11 de Julio Sports and Cultural Center in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, Mexico, an event was organized by El Patron Espectaculos, an independent lucha libre promotion. The match was between Máscara Sagrada NG and Fishman. The referee was 75-year-old Gerardo German Pineda, known as 'El Buho'. During the match, a move by Fishman seriously injured the referee, who later died. This incident sparked turmoil, and at the center of that turmoil was a question—was the move a banned 'martinete' or a common 'contralona'? Initial reports claimed Fishman used the banned 'martinete' move in retaliation for the referee deducting points. This move involves the opponent's head being positioned downward, creating a serious neck injury risk. However, after reviewing video footage, many say the move was actually a 'contralona', which is quite common in lucha libre. The difference between these two descriptions is significant because the degree of legal responsibility depends on exactly which move was used. After the incident, Fishman faced charges of homicidio culposo or involuntary manslaughter. Under Article 186 of Mexico's National Criminal Procedure Code, a case can be concluded if a compensation agreement is reached between the victim and the offender. That is the path the incident took. According to journalist Antonio Nieto, the referee's family was paid 585,525 Mexican pesos (approximately 32,000 US dollars) in compensation. Fishman and the organizing company El Patron Espectaculos jointly made this payment. However, another news outlet, ADN Noticias, reported a different figure, leaving doubt about the amount. The most important aspect of the discussion is that this release is a conclusion of the legal process, but it is in no way proof that the move was unrelated to the referee's death. According to El Financiero, if the compensation terms are not met, the case can be reopened. In other words, this is not an exoneration, but a legal settlement. Lucha libre is a scripted or choreographed performance. Here, the main goal is entertainment, not competition. But this incident proves how weak safety measures are at the local level of this industry. It was reported that the 11 de Julio Center did not have a permit, and there were prior obstacles to inspection. In other words, an event was taking place at an unauthorized venue, without adequate medical facilities, where a 75-year-old referee had to face a high-risk move. In this tragic incident, two well-known names in the Mexican wrestling world—El Hijo del Santo and Latin Lover—have defended Fishman. They say it was an accident, not an intentional crime. On the other hand, Fishman's behavior after the incident—joking, laughing—drew widespread criticism on social media. Many have labeled him as heartless and irresponsible. When I read about this incident, I recall the Bangladesh Boxing Federation Championship at the NSC Gymnasium in Dhaka in 2026. That day, 41,000 people were watching our stream in front of 2,800 spectators. The success of an event lies not just in the match results, but in its structure. Like that day, the question here is—who permitted this event? Who decided to put a 75-year-old man at such risk? Who was in charge of the medical team? In the world of lucha libre, major promotions like CMLL or AAA have comparatively better safety standards. But this incident happened at an independent, local-level event. This is the root of the problem. When there is no central authority, when there is no permit, who will establish safety standards? Is this death then just an accident, or the result of a system's failure? From my four decades of experience, I can say that the greatest danger in the world of sports occurs when we only blame the individual but do not question the structure. We can blame Fishman, but who will hold accountable the system with an unpermitted venue and a promotion with no safety protocols? Until this question is answered, such deaths cannot be prevented. The referee's family has received compensation, the legal process has ended, but questions remain about the safety measures of independent lucha libre events. Will the authorities in Hidalgo, Mexico, now tighten permit regulations? Will local events have mandatory medical teams? Whether this incident will remain a warning in lucha libre history or become a forgotten news item—that remains to be seen.