Veteran Mexican referee El Búho dies after an independent lucha libre show, as El Hijo de Fishman is detained

[Plateau70]

Sad news from Mexico. Gerardo Germán Pineda, a veteran referee known as El Búho, has died after an independent lucha libre show in Hidalgo, The Sun reports. Most Mexican outlets spell his surname Pineda. He was 75 and came from Las Lajas in Pachuca

El Búho wrestled for about 15 years as El Búho Negro II before moving into refereeing, which he did for decades. He was closely linked with Arena Afición in Pachuca. Over his career he officiated bouts involving names like Mil Máscaras, Canek, Dos Caras, El Hijo del Santo and Blue Panther. That is a remarkable span of lucha libre history

According to reports, the incident happened during the main event of a show called Deslealtades at a sports centre in Mineral de la Reforma, between El Hijo de Fishman and Máscara Sagrada NG. Reports say Pineda was hit with a piledriver, a move that Fox Sports México describes as banned in Mexican lucha libre. He did not get up, and paramedics later confirmed he had no vital signs. Wrestling Inc reports there was no ambulance or medical staff on site

El Hijo de Fishman was detained and handed over to the Hidalgo state prosecutor's office, which has opened an investigation into possible negligent homicide. The official cause of death is still being investigated, and nobody has been charged or convicted. The promotion El Patrón Espectáculos said it deeply regrets the loss of a life, that it is in contact with Pineda's family and that it is providing legal support to the wrestler. It has asked people not to spread rumours

Whatever the investigation finds, this raises serious questions about safety at independent shows. A 75 year old official in the ring, no medical cover on site and a dangerous move all point to problems that go beyond one moment. Lucha libre has a proud history, and its veterans deserve protection. Rest in peace, El Búho

Should independent shows be required to have medics at ringside? And how should promotions protect older referees and wrestlers?

Verifying Devicewww.thesun.co.uk

[DeanAmbrose11]

Independent wrestling everywhere has this problem. Small promotions work on tight budgets and cut corners on safety. Commissions in some places require medical staff, but enforcement is patchy

Something like this should change that. Fans should ask promoters about safety before buying tickets

[Christian_Cutter]

Referees take a lot of bumps that fans never notice. They are part of the show, and older officials are especially vulnerable. Promotions should think carefully about what referees are asked to do

Respect the people who keep matches running. They deserve the same care as the wrestlers

[Dom_41]

Rest in peace. Decades of service to lucha libre, working with legends like Mil Máscaras and El Hijo del Santo. He deserved a much better ending than this

My thoughts are with his family. A sad day for lucha libre