WWE refs are really bad actors, so...

[Guest Twig]

From Mike Johnson's New PWI Audio:

 

 

Quote:In the last couple of weeks WWE has been trying something new with the referees in their house show undercard matches. In an attempt to make matches seem less scripted, WWE will no longer be informing referees of the finish of matches before hand. The matches are now to be treated like legitimate fights more than scripted performances. Now if a wrestler doesn't get his shoulder up quick enough in a near fall situation and the ref counts three, that's the finish and the wrestler who failed to do his part will take the blame for it. It is going to force heels to work harder to cheat behind the referee's back so you won't see any more awkward "referee sees the guy still cheating and turns back around" spots.

 

This could be interesting. The refs are really bad actors, and this should also put an end to all the 4-count "near falls" that have been turning up on the recent botchamanias. Surely they'll still ahve to work out ref bumps before hand, but maybe this will discourage the overuse of such a spot.

[DC 536]

The referee will need to know the finish of the match, otherwise he will see something and he will need to DQ someone. I'm not buying that report.

 

When I reffed, and a lot of the indy refs are the same, we've always worked to the "if you don't kick out, that's your fault" mantra, so it's nothing new. But I don't believe it for a minute that refs won't know the finish beforehand.

 

What about all those finishes where the ref is supposed to be distracted? Will he actually work to the five-count and start DQing people left and right? There are so many things wrong with a referee not knowing the finish. It could work, but too many things would be changed for the worst.

[Guest Gooneronastick]

I think it'll be a case of if the ref needs to be involved in the finish, he'll be informed but if not, then it'll be his judgement call. Could bring up some interesting situations.

[DC 536]

I think it'll be a case of if the ref needs to be involved in the finish, he'll be informed but if not, then it'll be his judgement call. Could bring up some interesting situations.

I still don't buy it. Let's say it's a match for the World Heavyweight Title, Edge v The Miz in one of those defences where the heel champion is defending against "worthy opposition". Edge takes a harder shot that he expects and is a bit dazed, so he forgets to kick out. The ref, in this situation, would count three and we would have a new champion in The Miz.

 

In WWE, the matches are planned to almost the most minute detail, there is no way Vince is going to take this element out of his hands. What about the possibility of someone going into business for themselves and not allowing their opponent to kick out?

[Guest Kanenite]

DC you have to bear in mind though that Edge vs Miz for the World Title wouldn't be a House Show undercard match.

 

I can buy it, undercard matches don't mean to much anyway so House Show undercard matches shouldn't matter at all of the outcome. It'll be interesting to see seeing as they obviously can't be to fussed who wins the match and the crappy acting will hopefully be no more.

[DC 536]

But it's been classed as a trial for bringing it in full-time, as most things are tried away from the gaze of the cameras first of all.

[The Icon 152]

I don't think they would use this for every match if it was done full time. They would probably use it for most mid to low card matches and some non title main event matches. Still I would be interested in seeing how it works, or as the case may be how it fails to work.

[Guest Chriscare]

They might not get told the finish, but i'm sure they'll be informed who wins.

 

But in all fairness if anything it's probably going to make matches look less realistic. It'll be fine for the more experience wrestlers, but say the finish is grabbing the tights, and they get caught doing it now, they'll have to suddenly think of a new finish. Which at the level they should be able to do, but alot probably can't

[Guest Dazoggsta]

But it's been classed as a trial for bringing it in full-time, as most things are tried away from the gaze of the cameras first of all.

 

Yeah, so if it doesnt work it wont happen.

 

And I doubt they'd have the refs not knowing in the big matches, at least not until everybody's really used to the fact that they have to kick out on time etc., but even then, I still doubt they'd risk it.

 

Personally this is something I'd really like to see in the undercard matches, although it could lead to shorter matches if the refs do start DQing people left, right and centre, but then maybe they could bring in the old school system of having rounds, like they used to have in world of sport, but it might be wierd having rounds in the undercard and one long match in the uppercard. Still I think there's ways around that, and it'd be really cool to have refs actually referee-ing rather than hammily acting.

[Dead Crow 370]

But it's been classed as a trial for bringing it in full-time, as most things are tried away from the gaze of the cameras first of all.

But you said you don't buy the report. It's a trial on house show undercard matches. I don't see what part of that seems so illogical. They're not running into the fire from the frying pan just yet. They'll probably just encounter all the problems you stated.

[DC 536]

But in the report it's been classed as a trial for bringing it in full-time, as most things are tried away from the gaze of the cameras first of all.

 

Is that better for you?:lol

[Guest dpddave]

another thing if the wrestlers in the match are afraid of messing up,they could quiet easily tell the ref what the finish is supposed to be during the match......

[Guest Danny Styles]

yuh i can't see how this will work, because if you want a screw job ending (e.g tights rolled up) and the ref spots it you have to do it again which looks stupid, just keep it as it was i don't see this new way working