A Pro-Wrestling Referee's Power: Ref Calls and Actions

During the WWE match between Ric Flair and Matt Hardy at WrestleMania 22 (Money in the Bank Match) in 2006, the referee raised his hands and made an "X" signal. This was to let everyone know in the back that there was a possible severe injury to one of the wrestlers. In this case, it was Ric Flair who had been suplexed off the ladder to the mat. The "X" is then considered by those in the back to terminate the match as quickly if possible to avoid further injury. This may also mean to alter the storyline for the protection of the wrestler.

However, if the referee then throws up both hands, it is considered to be a "Blowoff." That means that the wrestler can continue and that he will go on with the original storyline to the best of his ability.

These are not the only signals taught either. If you have watched pro wrestling, you notice that they usually go to a commercial break when a wrestler has been thrown outside the ring. Sometimes both wrestlers go outside and lay there. This is because of a signal called a "kayfabe". A Kayfabe is a set of signals used to communicate with the wrestlers and the officials back stage. Many of today's referees wear wireless ear plugs for communication. This way the refs can tell the wrestlers when a break is about to begin, or end, It also is used to let referees know when to end or stop a match. In some cases as with the Flair injury, it is to protect the wrestler.

In some matches, outside interference is set up to distract a ref and let another person interact in the storyline. It doesn't matter if this is a good guy or a heal. It's main purpose is to get the crowd involved. Sometimes a ref might be knocked out for a brief period of time. This is so a foreign object can be used or another wrester comes from the back to interfere. Many matches have been decided by this tactic.