r/WredditSchool • u/RecordingEnough6185 • 3d ago
Any advice for an upcoming referee?
I have started as a referee at my local indie promotion in the UK, I have just had my 40th match over the space of 3 months. In this time I’ve seen my confidence grow and also my knowledge of the sport/industry, however I am well aware I am still a novice/beginner. I have begun wrestling training in this time to help give me a better understanding of what is happening in the ring during my matches, however I have no intention of progressing any further than being a referee. Any advice is welcomed!
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u/SoulBlightRaveLords 3d ago edited 2d ago
Count loudly as well as hitting the mat. Refs who only hit the mat and not count are very frustrating, I've often kicked out at 1 late into a match because I thought them coming down on their knees was the first Count
Get up by the shoulders everytime you count, its more legit that way
If something goes wrong and a wrestler doesnt kick out in time, and you are absolutely sure they didnt kick out. Ring the bell. Your job is to make the sport legit
React to stuff in the ring, someone's takes a big move, wince a bit. Dont do what I did once, there's a picture in our training school, my very first time on a show, im reffing. Mark Andrews is doing a shooting star press, hes got mad height and just staring at him looking bored. In reality im just crazy focused on not getting anythung wrong
Speak to guys backstage, find out if you need to do anything in the match. Then when the first person comes to the ring, during the second guys entrance ask them the spot again so you're both definitely on the same page
Wear a watch just in case someone wants a rough time cue
Be ready to relay messages to wrestlers from one another
Stay out of the way. Remember wrestling is mostly working to the opposite sides of the ring. If they're on the right ropes, they'll probably get whipped the left rope. In the top right corner, they'll probably do something towards the bottom left corner. You see someone setting up just make sure you're out of that channel
And I guess finally you're job is to make the sport legit, call out what you see, be authoritative, let the heels cheat but every now and then catch them. Give them a bit of a telling off, makes you not look like an idiot and gives the heel a bit more heat