A Pro-Wrestling Referee's Power: Ref Calls and Actions

During the WWE match between Ric Flair and Matt Hardy at WrestleMania 22 (Money in the Bank Match) in 2006, the referee raised his hands and made an "X" signal. This was to let everyone know in the back that there was a possible severe injury to one of the wrestlers. In this case, it was Ric Flair who had been suplexed off the ladder to the mat. The "X" is then considered by those in the back to terminate the match as quickly if possible to avoid further injury. This may also mean to alter the storyline for the protection of the wrestler.

However, if the referee then throws up both hands, it is considered to be a "Blowoff." That means that the wrestler can continue and that he will go on with the original storyline to the best of his ability.

These are not the only signals taught either. If you have watched pro wrestling, you notice that they usually go to a commercial break when a wrestler has been thrown outside the ring. Sometimes both wrestlers go outside and lay there. This is because of a signal called a "kayfabe". A Kayfabe is a set of signals used to communicate with the wrestlers and the officials back stage. Many of today's referees wear wireless ear plugs for communication. This way the refs can tell the wrestlers when a break is about to begin, or end, It also is used to let referees know when to end or stop a match. In some cases as with the Flair injury, it is to protect the wrestler.

In some matches, outside interference is set up to distract a ref and let another person interact in the storyline. It doesn't matter if this is a good guy or a heal. It's main purpose is to get the crowd involved. Sometimes a ref might be knocked out for a brief period of time. This is so a foreign object can be used or another wrester comes from the back to interfere. Many matches have been decided by this tactic.

Kayfabe's come in all sizes, shapes, distractions, and story lines. Individuals are fired to come back later with a new storyline. Some leave because of an injury to come back later. A Kayfabe like a marriage between two performers have actually went on to become a legal marriage. It happen with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. It also happened with Randy (Macho Man) Savage and Miss Elizabeth. Tag teams have been broken up to be reinvented several years later. This has happened numerous times.

All of this is controlled by the third man in the ring the referee. The referee works closely with the "booker" and the wrestlers to make sure the storyline goes well. A match is always set up with a certain scripted set of events that take place. The wrestlers along with the referee will go through this by rehearsing the day before or the day of the event. Sometimes a rematch will be had with only a couple of the moves either being switched or dropped.

There have been times when a wrestler will lose his temper. This isn't rehearsed. If a referee sees this happening, he will quickly get between the two. Usually he will push the angered wrestler back with his hands on the wrestlers chest. This is a way to tell the wrestler, "watch it you are going over the line."

Not just anyone can step in and be a referee. There have been guest referees on certain cards. However, their matches are usually predetermined and are used only to add to a storyline.

So the next time you watch a match, focus on the referee. Watch for things like hand and arm signals, quiet whispers to the wrestlers, and facial expressions. They help add to the match besides helping to control it.