Top five best referees in WWE history

These referees have been pioneers in the company

Professional wrestling referees are often unappreciated and underrated. They are frequently the forgotten guy in the ring during some of the sport’s most historic contests.

A contest cannot start or terminate without a referee present. Despite this, most referees fade into the background until they are asked to count a pinfall or announce a submission.

However, there is a limited handful of professional wrestling referees who have managed to defy stereotypes and stand out in the ring with some of the sport’s most renowned competitors. Each found their way to shine, and fans have never forgotten their contributions to the industry.

Here are the top five best WWE referees in WWE history:

5. Nick Patrick

Danny Davis may have pioneered the heel referee gimmick, but in the 1990s, Nick Patrick reinvented it. Patrick was the senior referee for WCW until the New World Order arrived in 1996. Following that, Patrick would become the official nWo referee, officiating all of their matches while turning a blind eye to their cheating. Patrick fared well in that job, which ended in 1997.

When WCW was bought by WWE, Patrick began feuding with Earl Hebner, the chief WWE referee. The two even wrestled at WWE’s Invasion pay-per-view. Patrick briefly returned to his heel referee persona in WWE, but it was short-lived, and he finally became an unbiased referee until he retired from the company in 2008.

4. Tommy Young

Tommy Young’s professional wrestling career began in 1971 as a wrestler. In 1975, Young began working as a full-time referee for Jim Crockett Promotions and the NWA. By the 1980s, Young had established himself as Jim Crockett Promotions’ senior referee. That title allowed Young to referee some high-profile contests, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Young went on to referee some of wrestling’s best matches, including several classics featuring “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Unfortunately, Young had a career-altering neck injury in 1989, causing him to retire. Young remains the referee most closely connected with the NWA.

3. Charles Robinson

Charles Robinson was a lifetime follower of professional wrestling, particularly Ric Flair. After successfully obtaining work with WCW in 1997, Robinson was forced into the role of a lifetime in 1999. Robinson would be asked to follow in Nick Patrick’s footsteps as a heel referee.

However, Robinson would not support the nWo. Instead, he would join Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen. Robinson’s heel referee gimmick peaked at Slamboree 1999, when “Little Naitch” faced Gorgeous George in a losing effort.

Robinson’s heel referee character, like Patrick’s, would eventually wear off, and by the time WCW shuttered its doors, Robinson was back calling bouts straight down the middle. Robinson joined WWE in 2001 and has been a regular ever since. He has refereed several high-profile matches, including Ric Flair’s and Shawn Michaels’ retirements at WrestleMania.

Also Read: Top five best WWE special guest referees of all time

2. Mike Chioda

The name Hebner has a lengthy history in the refereeing profession. With that in mind, it’s even more astonishing that Mike Chioda was able to shine while playing second fiddle to WWE’s most recognized referee. Chioda’s officiating career began in 1989 when he joined the WWE. Since then, Chioda has officiated some of WWE’s most famous matches.

He was the referee during The Kid vs. Razor Ramon, which turned out to be one of the biggest upsets ever. Chioda has refereed many high-profile WrestleMania bouts, including Shawn Michaels vs Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV and Hollywood Hogan vs. The Rock at WrestleMania X8. WWE released Chioda in 2020, following 31 years of service. Luckily, he immediately found work at AEW.

1. Earl Hebner

The crown wearer’s head is heavy. Some wrestling fans regard Earl Hebner as the most renowned referee in wrestling history. Other admirers believe him to be the most infamous. Earl Hebner has unquestionably been a part of some of wrestling’s most memorable events, including the first-ever Iron Man Match at WrestleMania XII between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels.

Hebner does, however, regret being the referee that screwed Bret Hart in Montreal in 1997. Of course, the highlights of Hebner’s career much outweigh the Montreal Screwjob, but it remains the first entry on his lengthy record. WWE’s Attitude Era roster was stacked with well-known stars, including one wearing a striped shirt.

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