October 11, 2026
A 75-year-old Mexican wrestling referee died after receiving a dangerous move carried out by a professional wrestler during a match held in the state of Hidalgo, which prompted the authorities to arrest the wrestler and open a comprehensive investigation to uncover the circumstances of the incident.
According to the “People” website, the incident occurred on October 6 in the city of Mineral de la Reforma, where referee Gerardo Hermán Pineda, known in the ring as “El Boho” (The Owl), was supervising a confrontation between wrestler José Ángel Najera, known as “Hijo de Fishman,” and another wrestler called “Máscara Sagrada.”
During the course of the match, Najera applied a move known as “Baildriver,” which relies on pinning the opponent’s head between the legs and violently dropping him to the floor of the ring. Reports indicate that Pineda remained immobile as soon as he was exposed to the movement, as those present rushed to call for first aid before his death was announced. It should be noted that this movement is prohibited in many wrestling federations due to its high risk and the possibility of causing serious injuries.
On the legal front, the authorities arrested wrestler Najera on suspicion of involvement in manslaughter as a result of negligence, before releasing him shortly after, while investigations continue to accurately determine legal responsibilities.
For its part, the event organizer, El Patrón Espectáculos Lucha Libre, issued a statement in which it expressed its deep regret over the referee’s death, confirming its provision of legal support to the wrestler and its continued communication with the victim’s family, and called on the public not to circulate rumors and inaccurate information until investigations are completed.
In a related context, the municipal authorities closed the hall that hosted the show, in light of reports indicating that the venue may lack the legal license necessary to organize the event.
It is noteworthy that the late Pineda spent many decades in the world of wrestling. He practiced as a wrestler for 15 years under the name “El Poho Negro II,” before moving on to work as a referee inside the ring.
