Overview
- During an El Patrón Espectáculos show in Mineral de la Reforma, a referee was struck as part of a bout on Oct. 6 and was later pronounced dead at the venue after medical staff arrived.
- The wrestler known as El Hijo de Fishman was detained at the scene and handed to Hidalgo prosecutors, who opened a manslaughter (culpable homicide) investigation and must present him to a judge within 48 hours.
- Video and eyewitness accounts identify the move as a martinete, or double-underhook piledriver, a high‑risk maneuver that many promotions have banned because it can cause severe neck and spinal injuries.
- Promoter El Patrón Espectáculos said it is providing legal assistance to El Hijo de Fishman and is in contact with the referee’s family while authorities review footage, witness testimony and forensic evidence.
- Witnesses and independent outlets report there was no ambulance or dedicated medical team immediately at the show and that the referee lay motionless for minutes, a gap that could drive regulatory scrutiny and changes to safety rules for independent events.