Video: A wrestler kills a 75-year-old veteran referee with a prohibited move

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In a tragic incident that shook the world of freestyle wrestling, veteran Mexican referee Gerardo German Pinedo (75 years old) died inside the ring, after being exposed to a prohibited move while officiating a “Lucha Libre” match on Tuesday evening in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.

Pinedo, known by the nickname "El Boho" (The Owl), was directing a confrontation between wrestlers "Ejo de Fishman" and "Máscara Sagrada NG", before the former executed the "Martinetti" move known as the "Pile Driver", which is an internationally banned move in the world of wrestling because of the direct danger it poses to the neck vertebrae and spine.

Local reports stated that the referee fell to the ground without moving, while everyone thought it was part of the show, which is a common occurrence in professional wrestling, as he remained lying for several minutes before the two wrestlers stopped the fight after realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Despite summoning medical teams, his death was declared at the scene of the accident, to the shock of the audience.

For its part, security sources confirmed to the Mexican website Superluchas that wrestler Ejo de Fishman was arrested under investigation on charges of manslaughter, awaiting his presentation to a hearing to determine his legal fate.

While the company organizing the fight, “El Patron,” issued an official statement in which it expressed its deep regret over the referee’s death, stressing that it provides legal support to the wrestler and is communicating with the family of the deceased, calling on the media and fans to be accurate and avoid rumors out of respect for the progress of the investigations.

It is noteworthy that the late Pinedo is considered one of the veteran referees in Mexico, where he worked in refereeing for nearly three decades, after a previous career as a professional wrestler that lasted 15 years under the name “El Poho Negro II.”