A tragedy out of Mexico. Gerardo Germán Pineda, the veteran lucha libre figure known as “El Búho,” has died in the ring during a show in Hidalgo, and the luchador Hijo del Fishman has been detained and placed under investigation over the banned maneuver believed to be involved.
What Happened
The incident occurred overnight from Tuesday into the early hours of Wednesday, October 7, at the Centro Deportivo Cultural 11 de Julio in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, during a show billed as Deslealtades. According to multiple Mexican outlets, El Búho received a martinete (a piledriver) from Hijo del Fishman during the main event, after reportedly absorbing several punishing moves beforehand. He remained motionless on the mat while his opponent got up, and when he did not respond, emergency services were called. Paramedics confirmed that Pineda had died at the scene.
The martinete has been banned in Mexican lucha libre for years because of its extreme danger. The move inverts an opponent’s body and drives it head-first toward the mat, and it can draw an immediate disqualification in CMLL and other promotions.
The Arrest and Investigation
Hijo del Fishman, identified in Mexico’s official Registro Nacional de Detenciones as José Ángel Nájera López, was detained by municipal police in the early hours of Wednesday, the registry lists the detention at 1:15 a.m., and placed at the disposal of the Ministerio Público. The Procuraduría General de Justicia del Estado de Hidalgo opened an investigation file for homicidio culposo (negligent homicide).
Authorities have stressed that the case remains under investigation, and it has not been officially established that the maneuver caused Pineda’s death. The promotion behind the event, El Patrón Espectáculos, said the legal process is ongoing and that it would not release further details so as not to interfere with it.
Who El Búho Was
Pineda was a lucha libre lifer. Per Milenio, he spent roughly 15 years as an in-ring performer under the name El Búho Negro II before transitioning into officiating, and he worked for years as a referee across Hidalgo, including at Arena Afición. Several outlets report he was 75 years old.
The Stunner sends its condolences to Gerardo Germán Pineda’s family, his friends, and the entire Mexican lucha libre community. We will update this story as the investigation develops.
