Authorities detained wrestler Hijo de Fishman on Oct.
7 in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, after referee Gerardo Germán Pineda, known as El Búho, died during a wrestling event.
The case is being investigated as possible involuntary manslaughter after a reported high-risk maneuver.
The incident occurred during the Deslealtades event at the Centro Deportivo Cultural 11 de Julio, where Hijo de Fishman faced Máscara Sagrada NG.
According to El Financiero, Pineda remained motionless after the maneuver and emergency personnel later confirmed his death.
Univision, citing N+, reported that Hijo de Fishman was arrested early Oct. 7 under investigation by the Procuraduría General de Justicia del Estado de Hidalgo.
Authorities had not publicly established whether the maneuver directly caused Pineda's death.
Steph Heredia, a content creator who attended the event, said she knew Hijo de Fishman personally and did not believe he intended to cause harm.
"I know him personally and he is a very nice person, I do not believe he did it intentionally, he was only doing what is done in wrestling.
I sincerely hope he is okay and that the situation turns out well for him," said Steph Heredia.
Heredia described the end of the match and said the referee's condition initially appeared to some spectators to be part of the performance.
"Fishman lost, went after the referee and people started shouting, at that moment he applied the move and then he went down to take pictures with the fans.
It was an accident, things that happen in wrestling, I was thinking he would get better, but he was not responding," said Steph Heredia.
She said the seriousness of the situation became clearer when the announcer called attention to Pineda's condition.
"I think many people thought that (...
) then the announcer shouted 'he is not responding,' Fishman turned around and got back in to see what was happening," said Steph Heredia.
Heredia said Hijo de Fishman appeared concerned while people in the ring sought something to revive the referee.
"I felt that Fishman was worried.
Those who were in the ring with him started asking for alcohol to revive the referee, they threw bottles of hand sanitizer or alcohol to drink, but there was no one who could actually provide alcohol, until Hombre sin Miedo arrived," said Steph Heredia.
An ambulance was eventually called, while spectators were removed from the arena.
Heredia said some fans shouted at Fishman before people inside the ring urged them to leave.
"When we got to the car, that is when the ambulance had just arrived," said Steph Heredia.
Heredia also recalled Pineda's long presence in wrestling and expressed regret over his death.
"I was fortunate to see Gerardo Germán Pineda a couple of times, he did his job very well, you could see that he liked what he did, I am very sorry that he died, I cannot tell you more," said Steph Heredia.
She said the response at the venue could become a lesson for wrestling arenas and performers because accidents can occur during events.
"I think this is an experience for arenas, wrestlers, for everyone in general, that accidents happen, for me this was a sports accident, it is regrettable, but it can happen," said Steph Heredia.
El Patrón Espectáculos, the event promoter, said it would provide legal support to Hijo de Fishman and remain in contact with Pineda's family and legal representatives.
"Our company is monitoring the development of the situation and has arranged legal assistance and support for Hijo de Fishman so that the corresponding process is carried out according to law and before the competent authorities," said El Patrón Espectáculos in a statement reported by El Financiero.
The promoter also said its lawyer and legal representative was communicating with Pineda's relatives and their attorneys.
Univision published the same statement from the promoter after the death.
"Our company is monitoring the development of the situation and has arranged legal support and assistance for Hijo de Fishman so that the corresponding process is carried out according to law," said El Patrón Espectáculos in a statement cited by Univision.
Pineda, 75, had worked in Hidalgo wrestling for decades, particularly at Arena Afición in Pachuca.
El Financiero reported that he spent about 15 years as wrestler El Búho Negro II before becoming a referee and continued officiating for almost 30 years.
His career included matches involving Mil Máscaras, Dos Caras, Canek, Último Guerrero, Solar, El Hijo del Santo and Blue Panther.
He became a referee after replacing an absent official at a wrestling event.
Hijo de Fishman began wrestling on April 30, 2008, initially under another name before adopting the identity associated with his family.
TUDN reported that he competes on Mexico's independent circuit and has worked with LM52, IWRG and The Crash.
Univision reported that Hijo de Fishman was born on Dec. 14, 1989 and described his father as Fishman.
TUDN separately reported that his real identity and age remained undisclosed during his masked career.
He has described his father's influence and the pressure of carrying the family wrestling identity.
"From a very young age he told me: 'Just as you see me in the ring, one day you will be there,'" said Hijo de Fishman in an interview cited by Univision.
He also recalled accompanying his father to arenas before beginning his own career.
"I loved carrying my father's bag, he would arrive at the arenas and I was behind him carrying it," said Hijo de Fishman in the same interview.
After adopting the Hijo de Fishman identity, he said he faced expectations tied to his family name.
"You are the son of, so they want to know if you have what it takes; entering the wolves' den is difficult, they would leave me very hurt," said Hijo de Fishman in the interview cited by Univision.
Following the incident, authorities placed Hijo de Fishman at the disposal of the Ministerio Público while his legal situation was reviewed.
Univision also reported that Arena 11 de Julio was closed after authorities found it lacked permission to host the event.
