These men are the backbone of the WWE!
Professional wrestling referees are often overlooked and underappreciated, frequently fading into the background during some of the sport's most iconic matches. A match can't begin or end without a referee, yet they often go unnoticed until it's time to count a pinfall or call a submission. However, a select few referees have broken the mould, standing out alongside some of the sport’s biggest stars. Each of them found a way to leave their mark, and fans continue to remember their contributions to the industry. Here are the top five referees in WWE history:
The weight of the crown is heavy, and Earl Hebner’s legacy in wrestling reflects that burden. Some fans see him as the most renowned referee in wrestling history, while others view him as the most infamous. Hebner has undoubtedly been part of some of the sport’s most iconic moments, including the first-ever Iron Man match at WrestleMania XII between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. However, he’s often remembered for his role in the infamous Montreal Screwjob in 1997. Despite this, Hebner’s career highlights far surpass that moment, cementing his place among WWE’s legendary Attitude Era roster—even in a referee’s stripes.
The Hebner name casts a long shadow in the world of wrestling referees, making it all the more impressive that Mike Chioda was able to stand out while working alongside WWE’s most famous official. Chioda began his refereeing career in WWE in 1989 and went on to officiate some of the company's most iconic matches. He presided over The Kid vs. Razor Ramon, one of the biggest upsets in wrestling history. Chioda also refereed high-profile WrestleMania bouts like Shawn Michaels vs. Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV and Hollywood Hogan vs. The Rock at WrestleMania X8. After 31 years, WWE released Chioda in 2020, but he quickly found a new role at AEW.
Charles Robinson, a lifelong wrestling fan, particularly of Ric Flair, began his career with WCW in 1997. In 1999, he was thrust into a major role as a heel referee, not supporting the nWo, but aligning with Flair and the Four Horsemen. Dubbed "Little Naitch," Robinson’s villainous referee persona peaked at Slamboree 1999, where he lost to Gorgeous George. The heel character eventually faded, and by the time WCW closed its doors, Robinson returned to impartial officiating. Joining WWE in 2001, Robinson became a mainstay, refereeing many high-profile matches, including the retirement matches of both Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania.
Tommy Young began his wrestling career as a wrestler in 1971 but transitioned to full-time referee for Jim Crockett Promotions and the NWA in 1975. By the 1980s, he had become the senior referee for Crockett Promotions, overseeing high-profile matches, including those for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Young officiated some of wrestling’s most memorable bouts, including several classic matches with “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Unfortunately, a career-threatening neck injury in 1989 forced Young into retirement. Despite this, he remains most closely associated with the NWA, leaving a lasting legacy as one of its most revered referees.
Danny Davis may have pioneered the heel referee gimmick, but Nick Patrick reinvented it in the 1990s. As the senior referee for WCW, Patrick became the official nWo referee after the faction's debut in 1996, turning a blind eye to their cheating. His stint with the nWo ended in 1997. After WWE acquired WCW, Patrick feuded with WWE’s chief referee, Earl Hebner, even wrestling him at WWE’s Invasion pay-per-view. Although Patrick briefly revisited his heel referee persona in WWE, it was short-lived. He eventually returned to impartial officiating and retired from WWE in 2008.
Officiating is the main reason any league thrives, and the same can be said for the WWE!
