Wrestler Arrested & Charged With Manslaughter After Referee Dies Following Piledriver [VIDEO]

October 8, 2026, 4:31pm EST 4K+ • By Darrelle Lincoln

Hijo de Fishman arrested after referee dies.

El Hijo de Fishman is a 36-year-old masked professional wrestler who competes as a freelancer on Mexico’s independent circuit. Born José Ángel Nájera, he performs as a second-generation luchador. He is the legitimate biological son of the legendary lucha libre icon Fishman.

Click for sound 0:00 / 0:00 Instead of carrying on that legacy in the ring, he will be doing so behind bars due to his actions.

Following tradition, he keeps his face hidden behind an iconic green-and-gold wrestling mask. He has spent 17 years building a steady career, but it all ended terribly with one move in the ring.

El Hijo de Fishman was immediately arrested and charged with manslaughter following a tragic in-ring incident in Hidalgo, Mexico. The 36-year-old wrestler faces up to 15 years in prison after referee Gerardo Germán Pineda, known as “El Búho,” died during the match.

During the main event, the luchador shockingly delivered a high-risk double underhook piledriver, or martinete, to the 75-year-old official. The dangerous maneuver is strictly banned in Mexican wrestling due to its high potential for severe neck injuries. Pineda slumped to the mat unconscious, but the show initially continued because spectators and wrestlers assumed he was simply acting.

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Consequently, a prominent wrestling outlet reported the troubling delay in medical response. They shared, “The local reports are that Buho lay on the mat unmoving for minutes before anyone checked on him, thinking he was selling.” Paramedics later arrived but could only confirm that the veteran official had passed away from the impact.

The promotion, El Patrón Espectáculos, quickly issued an official statement to address the arrest and legal situation. They stated, “Our company is attentive to the developing situation and has arranged accompaniment and legal assistance for Hijo de Fishman…”