The Dart Posted July 24, 2018 Share Posted July 24, 2018 Yeh I think you're right actually. Just did a bit of reading and it does seem that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannibal Man Posted July 24, 2018 Share Posted July 24, 2018 Could never get behind Earl Hebner because everything from his demeanor to his weird, weird shape reminded me of Jools Holland. He'd even get himself involved in matches by volleying people off rope breaks or pushing wrestlers akin to Jools getting his boogie woogie in every show. Had those weird long arms too. Can just imagine him walking in a circle waving them around and going "annerpleaseuhwelcomejoe LONGTHORNE" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members BomberPat Posted July 24, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted July 24, 2018 I can't turn my nose up too much at the "shoving the heels" schtick, as Tommy Young got a whole ton of that shit in during Ric Flair matches, and he's the best referee going. He definitely made near falls too obvious with his over-the-top close count, though, which is the main thing that used to irritate me about him. It's a guilty pleasure, but I actually really enjoyed the Earl Hebner/Nick Patrick match at Invasion. I'm biased, but I think there's a role for referees having the opportunity to show a bit more personality so long as it's not overdone - they're people that the audience see more consistently than any wrestler, so it's a waste of a storytelling tool not to take advantage of that. In some respects, it's like the old stories of stagehands in kabuki theatre being used to portray ninjas - the referee becomes almost invisible, so to use them to tell a story will catch people off-guard, if done sparingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Four Horsemen Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 Some ref's try to make the show about themselves. People pay their hard earned money to see the wrestlers, the ref is simply there to tell the guy to ring the bell to start, count the 123 and only every now and again take a bump that will help with the story of the match. Can't ever remember hearing anyone saying "cant wait to see the show tonight, heard that Steve Lynskey/Andy Quinlan/John Myers is on reffing, proper exciting that!" and you never will hear anyone say that. As for Hebner, he's lived off the Hogan/Twin situation for ever and a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamura Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 There's also the possibility that a referee can detract from a match by doing too little. Who would have thought standing still could be so attention grabbing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Statto Posted July 27, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted July 27, 2018 "Only there to count the pinfall or register the submission." Literally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Devon Malcolm Posted July 27, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted July 27, 2018 I always hated the way he did near falls. One-two-SHOULDERSPASM. Every fucking time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Teedy Kay Posted July 28, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted July 28, 2018 So much wrong with this, remember it vividly https://youtu.be/62sl2Bp3xms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members bAzTNM#1 Posted July 29, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted July 29, 2018 I wish Bret Hart would knock Earl on his arse, least Vince and Shawn have somewhat apologised for "Montreal", but old Earl is still going at it, 21 years later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members Bus Surfer Posted July 29, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted July 29, 2018 We can all remember the moment when the greatest ref of all time came out victorious in the best match of 2017. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 On 7/27/2018 at 2:21 PM, The Four Horsemen said: People pay their hard earned money to see the wrestlers, the ref is simply there to tell the guy to ring the bell to start, count the 123 and only every now and again take a bump that will help with the story of the match. Can't ever remember hearing anyone saying "cant wait to see the show tonight, heard that Steve Lynskey/Andy Quinlan/John Myers is on reffing, proper exciting that!" and you never will hear anyone say that. I don't fully agree with this. When I went to WWE shows in London in the late '90s, I'm pretty sure I remember refs getting a fair few cheers on their way to the ring, because they were a familiar part of the product and their presence contributed to making it an authentic experience. As a teenager I'd have been a bit disappointed if they hadn't bothered flying the likes of Hebner and White over, even though the wrestlers are obviously the main attraction. Hell, at a WCW show with Ric Flair on the card, I was excited to see Head of Security Doug Dellinger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paid Members air_raid Posted July 29, 2018 Paid Members Share Posted July 29, 2018 1 hour ago, Uncle Zeb said: Hell, at a WCW show with Ric Flair on the card, I was excited to see Head of Security Doug Dellinger. Who IIRC went on second to last, before The Mamalukes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon-Carr_92 Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 2 hours ago, Uncle Zeb said: I don't fully agree with this. When I went to WWE shows in London in the late '90s, I'm pretty sure I remember refs getting a fair few cheers on their way to the ring, because they were a familiar part of the product and their presence contributed to making it an authentic experience. As a teenager I'd have been a bit disappointed if they hadn't bothered flying the likes of Hebner and White over, even though the wrestlers are obviously the main attraction. Hell, at a WCW show with Ric Flair on the card, I was excited to see Head of Security Doug Dellinger. I've seen people getting photos with some refs. I see Charles Robinson tends to RT photos with fans after shows as he's also ring crew, so he tends to be an easy one to meet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 1 hour ago, air_raid said: Who IIRC went on second to last, before The Mamalukes. They had to give the crowd something to stick around for during Luger's magnificent seven-hour entrance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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