In wrestling, referees are essential to the industry, not only enforcing rules but also contributing heavily to the storyline. Iconic referees like Earl Hebner, Mike Chioda, and Charles Robinson have earned legendary status over decades in WWE. Interestingly, many wrestlers actually begin their careers as referees. Across various promotions, aspiring wrestlers sometimes start as officials, undergoing training before stepping into the ring as wrestlers. While each story differs, transitioning from referee to wrestler is challenging and often overlooked by fans. Here are some notable wrestling figures who began as referees before becoming prominent on-screen personalities:
8. Garrett Bischoff
Son of Eric Bischoff, Garrett started as a referee in TNA during 2010-2011 before wrestling from 2011 to 2018. Despite being pushed as a top babyface, his transition was rushed and ultimately unsuccessful.
7. Teddy Long
A legendary manager and former SmackDown GM, Long started as a referee before turning heel to manage DOOM in WCW. He later found great success as a long-time authority figure in WWE, orchestrating tag teams and major storylines.
6. Ken Shamrock
Debuted as a guest referee in 1997 during the iconic Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart submission match at WrestleMania 13. Leveraging his UFC fame, Shamrock’s referee role helped launch him into a key wrestler position from 1997 to 2004.
5. James Dundee
Trained by his father Bill Dundee, James began as a referee from 1988 to 1990 before wrestling as JC Ice from 1990 to 2016. He notably formed the PG-13 tag team, which gained prominence in USWA, ECW, and WWE.
4. Brad Maddox
Started refereeing on the WWE main roster (2012-2013) before debuting as a wrestler from 2013 to 2016. His storyline involved a surprise heel turn that helped CM Punk retain the WWE title but his wrestling career was not highly successful.
3. Danny Davis
One of WWE’s earliest referee storyline figures, Davis was a referee in the 1980s and also wrestled as a heel character under a mask. His “dangerous” referee persona eventually led to full-time wrestling before returning to referee duties.
2. Shane McMahon
Vince McMahon required Shane to learn discipline through various roles before wrestling. Shane started as a referee from 1988 to 1992, earning fans’ respect before becoming a beloved wrestler in the late ’90s and 2000s.
1. Bill Alfonso
A favorite ECW manager known for working with Rob Van Dam, Sabu, and Taz, Alfonso was a strict referee from 1979 to 1994. He then became a manager from 1995 to 2005, playing a pivotal role in ECW storylines and wrestler pushes.
Fan Take: This insider glimpse into how some of wrestling’s notable personalities began as referees highlights the diverse paths to stardom in WWE and other promotions. For fans, it reinforces the importance of every role in wrestling and suggests that today’s referees could be tomorrow’s rising stars, enriching the sport’s depth and storytelling.
