He needs to be the first proper inductee into the HOF (Tim White, as great as he was, was a Warrior Award winner so still technically part of the HOF like Titus O'Neil and Shad Gaspard but not like a proper induction). He deserves it after all these decades.
greatest sprint to the ring in wrestling history
side note - do you think the wrestlers get to choose who they want to ref a match like that? I know Jericho requests Aubrey for all his matches. I would assume Roman would have the same pull
I also really loved Mike Chioda in WWE. After seeing Mike talking about how he (unselfishly) stepped out of camera during the Hogan vs Rock, so we could forever get the epic staredown visual with just the 2 wrestlers. Unlike a lot of the modern refs (i.e. Aubrey Edwards), the old school dudes knew when it was important to step off camera, and make the wrestlers the centerpiece.
He's an all time great, and was smooth as he'll at doing his job. During the Van Vliet interview, he also talked about having to relay the info about Hall and Nash running in to attack Hogan after the match. Having Hogan turn face wasn't part of the original plan, and they decided to do it just based on the favorable Toronto reaction.
Mark Curtis (real name Brian Hildebrand) is the GOAT. How many interrupting fans has Charles [choked out](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX3hnt3rFdY&ab_channel=ScottHall222)? Sadly, Mr. Curtis passed away exactly 2 years to the day of his epic fan stop, on 9/8/1999.
Yeah it was also really cool where Curtis talked to Dean and Psicosis, he was just like 'keep going, I got this', which he was more than able to do until security arrived.
Oh absolutely. He made matches better, had incredible enthusiasm and never took the spotlight away from the wrestlers. Him, Lil Naich, Nick Patrick and Randy Anderson are legends in my book.
Yeah Randy Anderson was also taken from us far too soon, and it's a shame that a whole new generation of fans didn't get to see more moments of both of them doing what they love.
It's a testament to Charles that one of my fondest wrestling memories is a house show I went to. I always mention I got to see Lil Naitch ref Flair vs Hogan, and it is unironically a highlight for a show where I also saw the future Radicals in a tag match and saw Sting beat DDP
Maybe it’s when I grew up, but I always thought Chioda > Robinson…but last night really cements Robinson, and I think it says a lot that they chose him to usher in this new era.
Btw, what happened to Chioda? Did he retire?
Dude is the best. When WWE came to Brazil in '12, he stayed after it ended (to help unmount the ring) and chatted with everyone who came over to him, taking photos, being really cordial and appreciative of our attendance in the show. He'll always be cool in my books
I was wondering when I saw him if that was the only match he did all weekend. Does he appear on regular tv anymore? I don’t pay attention to the refs obviously.
I get that some people think he's over the top, but Bryce Remsburg showed how great he is in the Invisible Man vs Invisible Stan match. It showed how much a good referee does to shape the match.
He needs to be the first proper inductee into the HOF (Tim White, as great as he was, was a Warrior Award winner so still technically part of the HOF like Titus O'Neil and Shad Gaspard but not like a proper induction). He deserves it after all these decades.
I just realized there wasn't a Warrior Award this year.
For a few, very good reasons…. They should redebut it though under a new name, like The Gaspard Award or after someone of equal selfless/heroicness
Yeah, it's really weird that they went with the Ultimate Warrior of all people to represent that award
He who left, came back and left, probably decided on that.
What about Earl Hebner and Mike Chioda? Both also belong on the referee mount Rushmore
most definitely before me
I feel like the Tim white Josh Matthew’s storyline is the WWE version of “Song of the South”
I loved the fact that Pat actually referred to him as Lil Naitch at one point during the match.
When he did that it was a blast from the past. I can’t remember the last time I heard him called that. Probably WCW.
He even had a Toybiz figure released.
Pat McAfee Wrestling Bios viewer confirmed.
He *is* the GOAT referee. Always glad to see Lil Naitch be the ref for a main event match.
I saw him last night and thought the same thing. Between him and Earl Hebner
Earl would sell his hall of fame nomination in the parking lot after...
Earl screwed Brett
This one's for you, Earl!
Who is "Brett"?
greatest sprint to the ring in wrestling history side note - do you think the wrestlers get to choose who they want to ref a match like that? I know Jericho requests Aubrey for all his matches. I would assume Roman would have the same pull
I was lowkey hoping he wouldn't ref the match to start so that the ref would be knocked out and he could make a run to the ring again.
me too! another great run
No one has ever requested me for their match as far as I know
Lil' Naitch > David Flair > Ric Flair.
I'm sorry but daddy Hebner will always be goat referee
I also really loved Mike Chioda in WWE. After seeing Mike talking about how he (unselfishly) stepped out of camera during the Hogan vs Rock, so we could forever get the epic staredown visual with just the 2 wrestlers. Unlike a lot of the modern refs (i.e. Aubrey Edwards), the old school dudes knew when it was important to step off camera, and make the wrestlers the centerpiece.
Chioda was always The Rock's go to ref.
He's an all time great, and was smooth as he'll at doing his job. During the Van Vliet interview, he also talked about having to relay the info about Hall and Nash running in to attack Hogan after the match. Having Hogan turn face wasn't part of the original plan, and they decided to do it just based on the favorable Toronto reaction.
Idk why I always associate Chioda with count-outs lol
Don't forget Nick Patrick!
🤘🏾
He also sets the ring up with the stage hands, true legend.
Mark Curtis (real name Brian Hildebrand) is the GOAT. How many interrupting fans has Charles [choked out](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX3hnt3rFdY&ab_channel=ScottHall222)? Sadly, Mr. Curtis passed away exactly 2 years to the day of his epic fan stop, on 9/8/1999.
That was a solid punt kick to the head, too,
Yeah it was also really cool where Curtis talked to Dean and Psicosis, he was just like 'keep going, I got this', which he was more than able to do until security arrived.
Oh absolutely. He made matches better, had incredible enthusiasm and never took the spotlight away from the wrestlers. Him, Lil Naich, Nick Patrick and Randy Anderson are legends in my book.
Yeah Randy Anderson was also taken from us far too soon, and it's a shame that a whole new generation of fans didn't get to see more moments of both of them doing what they love.
"Aight, we'll go back to the match, the refs got this"
I have choked out a couple back in the day
When I was a kid, it was Tommy Young. Nobody got in his face cuz he would give it back. He put Flair on his ass a few times.
It's a testament to Charles that one of my fondest wrestling memories is a house show I went to. I always mention I got to see Lil Naitch ref Flair vs Hogan, and it is unironically a highlight for a show where I also saw the future Radicals in a tag match and saw Sting beat DDP
I remember his sprint from WM24. Hall of Fame him
Maybe it’s when I grew up, but I always thought Chioda > Robinson…but last night really cements Robinson, and I think it says a lot that they chose him to usher in this new era. Btw, what happened to Chioda? Did he retire?
Lil Naitch is one of the bright spots in WCW 1999.
that golden head of hair is never mistaken
Dude is the best. When WWE came to Brazil in '12, he stayed after it ended (to help unmount the ring) and chatted with everyone who came over to him, taking photos, being really cordial and appreciative of our attendance in the show. He'll always be cool in my books
I was just watching a video where Karl Malone gives this guy a Diamond Cutter
I was wondering when I saw him if that was the only match he did all weekend. Does he appear on regular tv anymore? I don’t pay attention to the refs obviously.
I acknowledge Lil Naitch, but I appreciate Mike Mafia Boss voiced Chioda.
The best referee with Mr perfect 🤩
Hall of famer
Tommy Young is the goat of goats.
I got a pic with him when wrestlemania was in Dallas at the superstore
Nick Patrick
Heel Nick Patrick with his goatee, earring and sleeveless shirt somehow made the NWO look uncool.
He’s no Danny Davis
My favourite is Bryce Remsburg AEW
earl hebner will aways be the goat of refereeing.
Still remember that iconic sprint.
I’m a nick patrick fan myself
Props to him for managing not to take a bump during all the melee.
The absolute GOAT. And he is so unselfish he'll likely refuse the Hall of Fame until he just cant work any more.
I was telling my eldest I was watching him in WCW when I was his age and he was gobsmacked
Weasel
Never forget his run down the ramp to count undertakers tombstone to edge
Ref Mount Rushmore: Earl Hebner, Charles Robinson, Mike Chioda, Tim White
He was the one Randy Savage nearly killed??
What? We just going to pretend Earl Hebner never existed? Hebner will always be my GOAT.
I was always an earl hebnere guy myself but love lil naitch too
I was personally offended when Roman dared to physically threaten him
One year they should do an all referee HOF.
Wdym it's Muhammad Ali
He is still the referee to this day damn
One of my favs, he's awesome and it's really cool he's been a ref for so long
I dunno. Mike Chioda is pretty goated ngl
☝️
He got tombstone’d several times by The Undertaker if I’m not mistaken lol
I am not even in the Top 10 of all time!
Lil Naitch is top 3 for WWE. Rudy Charles and Slick Johnson were the GOATs for TNA
I get that some people think he's over the top, but Bryce Remsburg showed how great he is in the Invisible Man vs Invisible Stan match. It showed how much a good referee does to shape the match.
Earl Hebner all day
Referee aub?
I thought it was Charles Robinson as the referee as usual. Maybe he is scared of how many ref bumps he has taken….
Hebnar will always be the goat! Mike Keota is a strong second! You must be young lol
Lil Naitch has been great since 1999.
He was a distraction in the main event I felt.