Hello everyone.
This fan had thought about doing this post for awhile and is way, way overdue.
All of us who follow pro wrestling will share various items about the event. It could be a particular promotion. It could be a wrestling show. Possibly a particular wrestler, or even a match that caught our eyes.
However, how often do wrestling fans talk about the third man or woman in a singles match.......known as the referee? Likely not that often.
A couple of recent wrestling shows in Southeast Asia have come to mind that brought this post up. There were a couple of matches that "had a little controversy" in the fan's minds. There was a lot of communication about it on social media. In fact, there was some video that backed up the controversy. Let's just say that, it appeared that the referees in question, most likely, did not see what happened. This blogger will leave it at that.
The referee is every bit as important to the world of professional wrestling as the wrestlers themselves. This fan has always believed that a referee works as hard in their craft as a wrestler. Positioning and flexibility are keys for the "third person" in the ring.
They aren't there just to count to three regarding a pin. They aren't there just to count to 10 or 20 (depending on a promotion) when a wrestler is outside the ring for various reasons.
They are, one could say, a messenger while in the ring. Perhaps, the wrestling fan may not know this, but a part of the match itself (such as a spot). A referee could be a part of helping to put a ring up in an arena as part of a wrestling crew. I've seen it first hand in another field of sports entertainment in Roller Derby.
The referee is also trained to monitor signs of distress in case a wrestler is knocked unconscious or injured. They ARE the first responder. And they are there for security purposes as well.
Looking back here in North America, this blogger has seen some good referees and some that.......well, had no business even being in the squared circle.
Fans around North America loved WWE and TNA referee, Earl Hebner. My choices have always been Charles Robinson with WWE, Aubrey Edwards with AEW and one that a few reading this may not know, in Randy Anderson with WCW. Certainly, Mike Chioda (WWE) and Nick Patrick (WCW) are on this list as well.
If anyone reading this is interested in becoming a referee, please contact an official with the wrestling promotion that you follow or enjoy. The promotion should be able to tell you, whether or not, there is a position open.
