Who was 'El Búho'? The referee who died after a blow from Hijo de Fishman

Gerardo Germán Pineda, known in wrestling as "El Búho," died at the age of 75. His journey in professional wrestling began approximately three decades ago; however, he devoted half of that career to refereeing, the profession in which he unfortunately lost his life. His death occurred after suffering a fatal blow from Hijo de Fishman during an event held in Mineral de la Reforma.

Pineda, a gladiator widely recognized throughout the Mexican Republic and very popular in the state of Hidalgo, began his journey in the ring three decades ago, driven by the influence of his brother. His life came to an end in the ring, although in his final stage he did so by officiating. Unfortunately, a punishment in the form of a "piledriver" executed by Hijo de Fishman sent him to the canvas, an action that ultimately proved fatal. After the death of "El Búho" was confirmed, the rough-style wrestler was detained by the authorities and remains awaiting the determination of his legal status.

Before becoming the highest authority in the ring, Pineda adopted the name "El Búho Negro II" in honor of his brother ("El Búho Negro I"). During his time as an active wrestler, which lasted 15 years, he suffered more than 30 stitches to the head, according to what he later admitted. “I owe professional wrestling to my brother, may he rest in peace,” the referee himself had said in an interview given to the local outlet Criterio Hidalgo in January 2026.

After the loss of his brother, Pineda considered stepping away from the ring before fortuitously transitioning into refereeing after the official referee was absent from an event he was attending. His debut as a ring official came spontaneously when he was asked to fill the vacancy with the phrase: “The referee didn’t show up and they told me: ‘get in there and referee’.”

His start as the judge of the contest did not represent unfamiliar ground for Pineda, who knew how to make the most of his extensive background as an active wrestler to perfectly understand the psychology of the gladiators in the ring. This previous experience allowed him to accurately anticipate every movement within the discipline.

"The Owl" consolidated the bulk of his career as a referee in the emblematic Arena Afición of Pachuca, a venue that became one of the favorite settings of his career. It was there that he established himself on the region’s most important cards, even sharing the ring and officiating matches headlined by the biggest figures in national professional wrestling.

Every time he was asked about his first night at the traditional Arena Afición in Pachuca, the experienced referee humbly recalled the nervousness of that evening: “I was sweating, it was my first time at that level; I veered off a little, but I got back on track.” That debut would mark the beginning of a close relationship with the fans of Hidalgo.

The public, his great ally

Before the fateful incident with Hijo de Fishman, "El Búho" had already been involved in other episodes in which he came close to tragedy. One of the most remembered occurred in Pachuca during the 2022 season, when he suffered a spectacular headfirst fall in an event headlined by Penta El Zero M and Fénix. On that occasion, with the chivalry that characterized him, the referee absolved the wrestlers of all responsibility: “I slipped and fell on my head; it felt awful, but it wasn’t their fault.”

In a previous interview with Criterio Hidalgo, the wrestling referee acknowledged that one of the most rewarding moments of his career was the affection of the public outside the venues. “It feels nice to be walking down the street and have people ask you for a photo,” he confessed about the fans’ affection.

'As if foreshadowing his own fate, Pineda, who ensures his sporting legacy through the continuity of his son "El Búho Jr.," left a phrase for posterity that today echoes powerfully in the national wrestling scene: “Professional wrestling, I owe you nothing and you owe me nothing. Thank you, blessed sport of professional wrestling.”'