What if everything you thought you knew about pro wrestling was only half the story? While fans focus on its larger-than-life superstars, jaw-dropping moments, and championship glory, there’s someone in every match pulling invisible strings, making split-second decisions that could change everything. One wrong call, one missed signal, and careers can be made or destroyed in seconds. The person in black and white stripes, the wrestling referee, holds more power than you ever imagined – and many of their secrets have remained hidden for decades, until now.
Earl Hebner stands between Bret Hart (with WWF President Gorilla Monsoon) and Shawn Michaels (with mentor and real-life trainer Jose Lothario, who came out of retirement for this match) at WrestleMania XII, poised to enforce Iron Man Match rules – and one missed call could rewrite wrestling history. Photo Credit: WWE.
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Why Pro Wrestling Referees Hold the Key to Every Match Outcome
It makes perfect sense. Pro wrestling referees are rarely the focal point of a wrestling match or storyline. They often fade into the background, almost invisible. When fans do notice them, it’s typically when they’re raising the hand of the winning wrestler or playing the punchline, such as cowering in fear from a 7-foot giant or lying out cold after an accidental hit, out of action for minutes on end.
But ask yourself, what would happen without a referee? Who would count the 3 for a pinfall, enforce the 5-count on a rope break, or reach 10 on a count-out? Who would steady the ladder during a dangerous high spot or relay live instructions from management to the wrestlers in real time?
Wrestling Referee Josh Wallis Reveals Industry Insider Secrets
UK independent referee Josh Wallis officiates a bout on the London and South East circuit, and reflects with Pro Wrestling Stories on the day-to-day realities of the role. Photo Credit: Luke Lesurf.
There’s only one way to truly understand the role of a referee – and that’s by talking to one!
Our insight into the world of what it is to be a pro wrestling referee comes via Josh Wallis, a regular on the indie circuit throughout London, UK, and the South East, who chatted with Pro Wrestling Stories to share his story and behind-the-scenes details of the hidden role of the wrestling referee.
For the last decade, Josh has honed the craft of refereeing and seen all the ins and outs of the industry along the way, including long nights, technical issues, bookings disputes, road-tripping with wrestlers, and lots more. He’s worked for a range of promotions, including:
Entertainment Wrestling Association (EWA) – Founded in 2008 in High Wycombe, with the aim to "produce family-friendly wrestling shows, appealing to people of all ages."
Josh has officiated all manner of matches, in a multitude of different settings and venues, from battle royales in crowded bars to table matches in town halls. From his time in the UK wrestling industry, he’s learnt the value and importance of his role.
"There are five crucial parts to any half-decent wrestling show anywhere: a ring, a venue, the fans, wrestlers, and – last but not least – the referee."
The Path From Fan to Pro Wrestling Referee
A class of aspiring pro wrestlers and referees in training. Photo Credit: Josh Wallis.
Josh was introduced to WWE at a young age, and, like most fans, was immediately gripped by the weird and wonderful world of wrestling.
However, unlike most fans, Josh decided to take his passion one step further and actually step into the ring himself.
"I discovered Progress Wrestling and some of the training sessions they were running, and thought, ‘Why not? If I’ve trained football and rugby my whole life, why not give wrestling a go?’ The training was quite intense, quite physical – which was great, and what I expected, but at the same time it was beginning to affect my ability to do my real job."
As a PE teacher, Josh’s day job can be pretty tiring – even more so if you’re getting pushed off ladders and whacked with steel chairs every evening.
"I think the tipping point for me was a tables match I had, which I won, and it was a great match! There was one issue, though… I had a school trip to help out the next day.
“I was sore for about 3 days afterwards, and in the end, it wasn’t fair on my professional life that I was getting hurt like that. I didn’t want to leave wrestling, though. I loved the people, the community… I didn’t want to leave that, but I felt like I couldn’t keep wrestling and doing my day job at the same time.
“In the end, I probably had about 50-odd matches. I enjoyed it, but the refereeing side is a lot safer, a lot kinder on my body, and I feel like I’m a lot more in tune with reffing than I ever was with being a wrestler."
Wrestling Referee Job Description: Hidden Duties Behind the Scenes
WWE wrestling referee Jack Doan monitors wrestler safety as The Undertaker applies a chin lock on “The All-American American” Jack Swagger during Monday Night Raw on April 19, 2010. Photo Credit: WWE.
Still, the referee plays a vital role in maintaining the illusion. They’re essential in making the action feel authentic, helping sell the idea that fans are watching a legitimate sporting contest. But as Josh explains, there’s a lot more happening behind the curtain. Referees take on numerous responsibilities, both in kayfabe (within the storyline) and non-kayfabe (behind the scenes).
"From the kayfabe side of things, the ref’s job is to enforce the rules and make sure it feels like a real sporting contest. Count pinfalls, make sure tags are made, check whether someone has tapped out, all those kind of things. But in reality, there’s loads of other stuff we’re doing while the match is going on.”
This includes looking out for the wrestlers.
"We’ve got to check if they have any injuries, and make sure the ring is safe – maybe by securing a ladder as someone climbs up, or by moving objects out of the way once they’re no longer needed.
“The crowd must be kept safe.
"Sometimes wrestlers are keen to leave the ring and venture out into the crowd, so we make sure to let the fans know beforehand and subtly move them out the way from harm.
"We do this by passing on information from the back (I hope I’m not breaking too many rules by telling you that!). It’s to make sure the match goes as close to plan as possible. So in some promotions, I have an earpiece and I’m being spoken to by the production team.
“They’ll tell me how long the wrestlers have left, or maybe they’ll pass on some particular note, like maybe the wrestlers need to work the crowd more or something like that, and I can subtly pass those messages on.
“The referee has an endless list of things to do – it’s first aid, safety, pacing and storytelling, as well as the actual refereeing. There’s loads to it – trust me, it isn’t just counting 1, 2 and 3!"
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Wrestling Referee Selling Techniques: How Officials Act Injured
WWE wrestling referee Jason Ayers sells an injury after being accidentally struck during a Money in the Bank pay-per-view match on July 6, 2024, showing how wrestling officials react to maintain match realism. Photo Credit: WWE.
What is pro wrestling selling? The art of acting as if you are legitimately hurt by a wrestling hold or move.
"Selling as a referee is different from selling as a wrestler. As a wrestler, your job is to ‘sell’ the move – in other words, to make it seem like it hurts.
“However, as a referee, I do something a bit different, but with the same aim. If one wrestler does a big move on another, I’ll make sure I react to it visibly – covering my mouth, wincing, holding the same body part – to ‘sell’ how much it would hurt.
“Because if there’s some people in the crowd that maybe can’t see the move properly, but they can see me reacting, it might add to the believability of it all.”
"But on the other hand, there are other times where I end up getting hit (sometimes by accident, sometimes not…). And when that happens – I’m out for the count!"
While it sounds cruel to admit it, the sight of a referee getting hurt has always been a source of entertainment in pro wrestling – the fact that there are long compilations on YouTube of these instances (affectionately known as ‘ref bumps’) is evidence of this.
For the audience, it can be simultaneously hilarious and frustrating, as it often means the unconscious official will miss a vital moment in the match – for example, a dastardly villain using this opportunity to cheat and get the upper hand. But Josh points out the deeper meaning behind a referee’s fragility:
"The point of the referee is to seem like a normal human being, next to these super-stronger, larger-than-life wrestlers. They’re doing huge feats of strength, picking people up and slamming them down. The ref is someone the crowd can maybe relate to, and see themselves as. So if I get hit, I have to pretend to be absolutely wiped out!"
How Wrestling Referees Shape the Story and Pace a Match
WWE wrestling referee Mike Chioda stands between The Undertaker and Bill Goldberg before their only singles match at Super ShowDown on June 7, 2019, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Photo Credit: WWE.
By liaising with the wrestlers, promoters, and all else involved, referees like Josh Wallis play a key role in orchestrating matches, and make sure important moments go ahead as planned:
"Before the match, I’ll usually go to the wrestlers and ask if there are any particular spots where they’ll need me – for example, whether they’re going to knock me down, or if they’re gonna go into the crowd and want me to follow. Most of the time, I’ll also ask what the finish of the match is planned to be, just so I know going in.
Occasionally, this will change during the match – maybe because a wrestler has gotten injured, or because of a last-minute change from the production team backstage. They might tell me ‘this match has gone too long – tell them the new finish is now, and they need to do this particular move’, and I’ll pass that message on. Usually it’s fine and the wrestlers listen – but if I’m being honest, sometimes they don’t!"
Pro wrestling is a form of storytelling, an art form of conflict between opponents. If the bout is closely contested, the match becomes increasingly exciting. The most common way for wrestlers to finish a match is with a 3-count pinfall, and Josh describes how referees keep the audience guessing about when this pinfall will come through with "near falls."
What is a near fall in pro wrestling?
A near fall is when a wrestler’s shoulders are pinned to the mat for a count of two, but the wrestler manages to escape before the referee’s hand hits the mat a third time (which would signify a pinfall).
"Near falls are crucial to building the drama of a match because they help heighten the crowd’s emotion. They can be difficult to do as a referee, because you really need to make the crowd believe that it’s going to be a 3 count.
“For me, I think the best way to practise is to bring your hand down for the 3 as convincingly as possible, right up until the last split-second.
“Each referee has their own way of doing it – I’ve pinched my techniques from watching hours of the best referees there are, from WWE, to AEW to New Japan."
The Invisible Man: Why Wrestling Referees Are Best Kept Unseen
AEW and independent referee Bryce Remsburg raises “the winner’s” hand in GCW’s Invisible Man match, a concept seen at Joey Janela’s Spring Break 3 in 2019. Photo Credit: GCW.
"The referee’s job, most of the time, is to be invisible,” wrestling referee Josh Wallis admits. “I don’t want to be distracting from the wrestling. But every now and then, there will be moments where you can add to a match as the referee."
Some of the most iconic moments, visuals, and events in wrestling history have involved referees.
Add to that how veteran pro wrestling referee Earl Hebner has been embroiled in numerous high-profile storylines, such as the infamous Montreal Screwjob.
Today, with wrestling being more varied and experimental than ever, referees can shine in all sorts of ways – from Bryce Remsburg officiating a GCW match between two ‘invisible’ opponents, to Rick Knox flying off the top rope into the PWG crowd.
"At the end of the day, nobody really comes to a show to watch the ref (although I guess there may be some people that do – I do, whenever I go to shows!). No, 9 times out of 10, they’re there to watch the wrestling. I can add to a match, but I should never take away from it."
Safety and Injury Protocol: The Wrestling Referee and the X Signal
Bronson Reed removes a turnbuckle pad as part of a planned sequence, sending himself to the mat and unbalancing WWE wrestling referee Danilo Anfibio, who, as the official, will soon clear away hazards. Photo Credit: WWE.
"Unfortunately, wrestling is dangerous. Yes, it’s pre-determined, in terms of the result of the match. But the stunts and moves you’re seeing are real. These guys are landing on their back, hitting their heads, going through tables. There’s no faking that."
Injuries can happen in all sports (well, mostly all of them – I’ve never seen someone get stretched off in the curling), but the theatrical, fast-paced nature of wrestling means accidents can occur in all sorts of ways. The injury list is constantly filled with sidelined stars, many of whom sustained their injuries during live events.
As an example, on May 26, 2924’s AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view, WWE Hall of Famer Adam Copeland (formerly known as Edge) suffered a fractured tibia after jumping from the top of a barbed-wire steel cage in a match against Malakai Black. While Copeland somehow managed to finish the match, often wrestlers find themselves unable to continue. In these instances, it’s the referee’s responsibility to step in with the ‘X’ symbol.
"Sadly, wrestlers do get hurt. On the handful of times where that’s happened, I’ve thrown up the ‘X’ symbol and called the match off. That’s part of my job, to make sure that if someone gets hurt, they can get medical care as soon as possible. Because there’d be nothing worse than a wrestler having to finish a match injured, just because the wrestling referee didn’t notice."
What Pro Wrestlers Are Like Backstage: A Referee’s View
WWE referee team at WrestleMania 40 on April 6-7, 2024, in Philadelphia: Shawn Bennett, Daphanie LaShaunn, Eddie Orengo, Jason Ayers, Jessika Carr (front-center), Charles Robinson, Chad Patton, Ryan Tran, and Dan Engler – standing ready behind the scenes amid larger-than-life personas of the wrestlers. Photo Credit: WWE.
"A good wrestling character should be an extension of yourself, in some way – an expansion of your own personality, something you hold true to yourself. That means that a lot of wrestlers can be a bit similar backstage to how they are out front. If they’re a happy-go-lucky good guy or a villainous bad guy, sometimes you’ll experience a bit of that.
“But 9 times out of 10, they’re all big softies. They’re super grateful that you’re there, because they know there’s no wrestling match without a referee. If I don’t turn up, you’ve got no show. You might as well have no ring, no crowd. And most wrestlers are hugely, hugely respectful of that… and others… well, not so much."
In 2019, at a Revolution Pro Wrestling show in London, veteran indie star Josh Bodom launched an unprovoked attack on referee Mike "Wild" Davis after Davis signaled the wrong finish in the closing moments of a title match.
Bodom shoved Davis into the turnbuckles, then delivered two stiff forearm strikes before security intervened, leaving Davis with a concussion and a torn labrum that forced him into retirement.
The incident rocked the British independent scene and underscored the dangers referees can face when emotions boil over in the ring.
"Getting overly physical with someone because they’ve made a mistake – whether it’s another wrestler, a referee, or anyone else involved – is obviously unacceptable. There’s no need for it. People are human beings. They can make mistakes; it’s not the end of the world. Things like that are not what professional wrestling is about."
The Traveling Referee Community and the Unwritten Rulebook
Behind the scenes at AEW All Out in 2021, the AEW referee roster (Aubrey Edwards, Rick Knox, Bryce Remsburg, Paul Turner, Stephon Smith, and Mike Posey) gathers before the opening bout. Their role is to keep matches safe and seamless as they travel the globe together, sharing tips and covering each other’s shows to prevent burnout in an industry where officials often work multiple matches per night. Photo Credit: AEW.
"It’s a strong group, the referee community. We sort of band together. Some are at the beginning of their journey, still learning the craft, while others have been at it for years and have made a whole career from it.
"While a wrestler will usually only do one match a night, a referee might do 4, 5, 6, 7 matches or more. Being in there under the hot lights for hours can be really tiring. But we stick together.
“People will help you out, cover your match if you need a break. Most promoters understand how hard our job can be, and make sure to book multiple refs – that’s something I think is really crucial. Because otherwise you get referees working way too much, and in the end they get burnt out."
Best Seat in the House: Wrestling Referees on Witnessing History From Inside the Ring
WWE referee Jack Doan supervises The Undertaker’s dramatic comeback against Diesel at WrestleMania XII on March 31, 1996 – witnessing every near fall and epic reversal from the most unique vantage point in wrestling history. Photo Credit: WWE.
Despite how knackering it can sometimes be – the long drives, the late nights, the physical exhaustion – Josh Wallis rarely complains about his work.
Like a lot of referees, he started as a fan and gets a kick out of seeing great wrestling up close and personal.
"It’s a pleasure to be involved in matches, especially when the standard is really high. I think I’ve definitely referred some of the best in Britain. Out of all of them, though, one match sticks out by far…
"It was for United Wrestling, in Oxford. A match between Mark Haskins and Danny Black. They killed it – everything they did was so crisp, and the pacing of the match had the crowd – and me – on tenderhooks the whole time. I was thinking, ‘this is gold. I’m watching gold in front of me, and I have the best seat in the house.’ Every time I leant over in any pin I was telling them, ‘guys, this is amazing’ – I’m glad there’s no audio of that!"
Pro Wrestling Referees: The Unsung Heroes of the Squared Circle
Independent wrestling referee Josh Wallis hoists a championship belt up high before an indie show match. As Wallis shared with Pro Wrestling Stories, wrestling referees don’t just enforce rules – they elevate match quality, ensure wrestler safety, and orchestrate seamless storytelling from the squared circle’s center. Photo Credit: Jack Hinks.
"The whole point of wrestling is that you believe – even just for a moment – that it’s a real competition between two people having a fight,” wrestling referee Josh Wallis shared with Pro Wrestling Stories. “Someone has to win, and for that to happen, you need someone to decide who wins. And that’s the referee… on the surface. In reality, though, my job is to keep wrestlers safe, look after the crowd, make sure the match goes smoothly, and a whole load of other things.
"The referee plays such a key role – and without one, there’s no show. There’s no wrestling. Sure, you could probably getting any old person to step in there and have a go at it, but it’s not the same. A good referee can take a 4-star match, to a 5-star match – not by taking away from the wrestling, but by adding to it.
"There are amazing wrestlers out there. But without an amazing referee, you can’t have an amazing match."
To follow Josh Willis, visit his Instagram (@ref_joshw). “The Ref” – a short documentary based on pro wrestling referee Josh Wallis – is available to view below or on YouTube:
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"Evan Ginzburg’s stories are a love letter to wrestling, filled with heart, humor, and history. A must-read for any true fan."— Keith Elliot Greenberg
Cam Howe is a freelance writer from Southeast London and a member of the information team at an older people’s charity. His work has appeared in Wonderland, Still Listening, and Inside The Ropes.
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