“They’ve Kind of Cut All That Out” – WWE Gets Slammed for Bringing About a Negative Change in the Role of Referees in Pro Wrestling

Being a referee may be the most underappreciated job in WWE. WWE fans barely miss out on any details about their favorite superstars, but very few of them really pay attention to the referees. But this is absolutely not something that our unsung heroes of the wrestling world deserve. One of those heroes includes former WWE and WCW referee, Nick Patrick. Being one of the best referees of his era, he easily relates to the issues referees these days have to go through.

The referee helps the wrestlers to manage the match and can relay important information as the contest is going on. They are one of the most active persons in the ring, keeping a close eye on the safety of the wrestlers, conveying important information from backstage, looking out for any mishaps, and many more.

Nick Patrick highlights the modern-day referees’ degraded position in WWE

Patrick thinks WWE doesn’t do enough to highlight its referees and is quite indifferent toward them. But things were better during his heyday. He recalled how referees of his era, including himself, got a chance to be featured in big matches and segments.

Recently, speaking on AdFreeShows’ “Monday Mailbag”, Patrick noted, “I think that they’ve got some very good refs [in] WWE. They don’t highlight the refs like they used to, you know? Like I got a chance to be an NWO ref, and [Earl] Hebner got a chance to screw Bret. Guys got to be able to become characters and do things, and they’ve kind of cut all that out.”

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He also mentioned how WWE doesn’t want the referees to be in the Hall of Fame. One of the best key contributors to WWE and WCW main event programming put an end to his decorative career in 2010.

Vince McMahon’s controversial deed to a referee

Patrick’s claim doesn’t seem to be very absurd, as a recent report depicts an unkind act by Vince McMahon toward a renowned referee. Back in 2011, Cody Rhodes tagged along with Ted DiBiase Jr and Wade Barrett to face the team of Daniel Bryan, Sin Cara, and Ezekiel Jackson on a SmackDown episode.

The match ended abruptly with a botch by DiBiase. However, backstage Vince McMahon didn’t punish the wrestler. Rather, he put the blame on referee Rod Zapata in a futile attempt to safeguard DiBiase.

The referees often also find themselves in the eye of the storm regardless of how good a job they often do with little credit.

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Do you think WWE should be more attentive toward the referees or not? Sound off in the comments.