Referees are an integral component of most sports, and they can often be the unsung heroes in a wrestling match. In modern wrestling, referees are often viewed as the administrators of the ubiquitous near fall, but in days gone by, the referee was a way to add drama to a match.
Certain referees have been such mainstays, and associated with so many historic moments, that they themselves have become unintentionally iconic. Fans have speculated for years, when referees will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and it's likely only a matter of time before they are. Here are the 10 most iconic referees in wrestling history.
10 Aubrey Edwards
We are going to kick it off with what is sure to be a controversial pick, as Aubrey has only been in the business for a handful of years. Like many AEW personalities, Aubrey is also something of a polarizing figure. The one thing that Aubrey brings to this list though, is diversity. Her presence in AEW has led to a stronger female presence in every promotion, including WWE.
While she has faced criticism for it, Aubrey can be rather animated when calling a match, and if nothing else it has given her a great deal of distinction as a ref. Aubrey has opened many doors in pro wrestling, and her presence has become synonymous with AEW, which makes her iconic.
9 Mark Curtis
The real-life Brian Hildebrand was actually a trained wrestler, and held pretty much every job you could in the wrestling business as a talent at one point or another. He actually started his career as a manager in 1984 at the tender age of 22. He would go on to work for Smoky Mountain Wrestling, ECW, and eventually WCW, where he would be known as Mark Curtis.
One of the most respected and beloved referees of his time, Mark was also tough as nails, subduing a fan who had rushed the ring at one point, single-handedly. Sadly, Mark Curtis developed cancer in 1997 and fought for two years, before succumbing to it in 1999, at the age of 37. Shortly before his passing, a benefit was held for him, and a who's who of pro wrestling of the 90s were on hand to show their support; proving just how treasured Mark Curtis/Brian Hildebrand truly was.
8 Dave Hebner
The twin brother of Earl Hebner, one of Dave's most iconic moments, was of course at the Feb 5th edition of The Main Event in 1988. Up to that point, fans had no idea that there were two Hebner brothers, and to WWE's credit, they used this to their advantage, brilliantly. At one point in time, Earl worked for NWA/JCP, and Dave worked for WWE, simultaneously, which probably caused a bit of confusion amongst viewers. Dave would eventually transition into a backstage role with WWE, but his time and memorable moments as a referee, make him a deserving addition to this list. We lost Dave in June 2022, bringing the end of the life of someone who devoted it entirely to the pro wrestling business.
7 Randy Anderson
Randy "Pee Wee" Anderson was second only to Nick Patrick as the most recognizable referee in WCW history. A diminutive man, Randy was a commanding figure in the ring, often reprimanding wrestlers who were three times his size. Probably best remembered for the angle with The Outsiders in 1997, and being fired in front of his children on Nitro, Randy always did his job to the best of his ability.
For those who grew up watching WCW, Randy was a familiar image, and a respected authority figure. "Pee Wee" is unquestionably one of the best referees of all time.
6 Tommy Young
The greatest referee of the Jim Crockett Promotions era, Tommy Young was often accused of doing the same things that Aubrey Edwards does in the modern era. Tommy was incredibly animated and vocal while refereeing, and was sometimes criticized for being a distraction.
However, the top stars in NWA/JCP, often requested that Tommy be the official for their matches. He was the referee for several of the classic Steamboat/Flair series of matches, and that was their preference. One of the most passionate at his job, Tommy Young is a true icon when it comes to officiating pro wrestling.
5 Tim White
Another referee that we lost in June 2022, Tim was a favorite of everyone who worked for WWE during his time with the company. Not only was Tim a great referee, but he was also the close confidant of Andre The Giant, being one of the few people that Andre trusted. Tim would go on to give WWE nearly as much as they gave to him, when he opened the doors to his pub for several skits during the Attitude and Ruthless Aggression eras.
Though his career as a referee would come to an end during a Hell In A Cell match in 2002, where he separated his shoulder, Tim would remain a loyal soldier to the company until the end of his life. Tim White is one of the most respected referees and employees of WWE, of any era.
4 Nick Patrick
The son of the legendary wrestler, Jody Hamilton, better known as The Assassin, Nick Patrick would follow in his father's footsteps, but instead of becoming a wrestler, chose to be a referee. There is no other referee more synonymous with WCW than Nick Patrick. He was a relatively tall man, so he stood eye to eye with some wrestlers, adding to his aura of authoritativeness.
During the nWo era, Patrick would turn heel and align himself with the faction, becoming their official referee. As a result, Nick would be at the center of one of WCW's most notorious controversies in 1997 at the Starrcade event. He would go on to work with WWE for several years after their acquisition of WCW in 2001, further cementing his legacy as a referee.
3 Charles Robinson
Affectionately referred to as "little naitch," because of his love for Ric Flair, Charles Robinson is one of the few referees on this list who is still active to this day. Charles first became known to wrestling fans during his time in WCW. Much like Nick Patrick, Robinson would get picked up by WWE after they acquired WCW in 2001, but would end up having a much longer tenure.
He would eventually become one of WWE's senior officials, and most recognizable referees to fans. A truly charismatic individual, you could say that Charles Robinson has become to officiating, what his idol was to wrestling.
2 Mike Chioda
Mike Chioda has become the most iconic referee of the modern era. It's staggering to realize just how long Chioda was with WWE, before his shocking and heartbreaking release in 2020. For 31 years, Chioda was a fixture on WWE programming, as well as live events around the world.
Since leaving WWE, Mike has appeared on AEW on a number of occasions. He was also hand selected to officiate Ric Flair's final match on July 31st, 2022, reinstating why he is one of the most iconic officials in the history of the game.
1 Earl Hebner
Without question, Earl Hebner is the most recognizable and iconic referee of all time. Whether it be for his role in the Montreal Screwjob, or his part in the 1988 double cross, Hebner has consistently found himself at the center of some of the sport's most memorable moments. For years, Earl was the go-to referee for the WWE's biggest matches, and was often requested by the wrestlers.
A favorite of the boys as they call them, and a mainstay in the eyes of the fans, no other referee comes close to Earl Hebner in terms of having such a prolific career. There are some that may argue against the idea of referees being "iconic," at all, but thanks to his unparalleled career as an official, Earl Hebner essentially nullifies that debate.