When a special guest referee is named to a bout in wrestling, it adds a special dimension to the contest. More often, the referee has a big impact on the result of the fight.
Here is a look back through to the best special guest referee matches in the history of the WWE.
Mike Tyson – Shawn Michaels vs Steve Austin – WrestleMania XIV
Mike Tyson was assigned as the special enforcer for the World Heavyweight Championship match between Shawn Michaels and “Stone Cole” Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV. The former world champion boxer ended up being in the ring as a referee, counting the pinfall which gave Austin the victory.
At the age of 58, Tyson remains very active, and he is still boxing. He is set to face Jake Paul in a boxing match later this year, and he is 5/2 with Paddy Power to win that bout, despite his opponent being 31 years younger.
It’s a numbers game pic.twitter.com/21mziMHeWq
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) July 30, 2024
The odds calculator indicates a £10 stake on Tyson will generate a £35 return should he prove successful. If that fight goes well for “The Baddest Man on the Planet”, a return to the WWE in some capacity in 2025 cannot be ruled out.
Shawn Michaels – Triple H v Undertaker – WrestleMania XXVIII
One of the greatest WWE matches in history came at WrestleMania XXVIII. In a Hell in a Cell, the Undertaker defeated Triple H in a clash of two WWE legends. Michaels, another great, was handed the honour of refereeing this epic clash, and he was fair to both wrestlers.
The victory extended the Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak to 20-0. This was one of his toughest tests of that stretch, as there were various moments in the bout where it looked as though Triple H was going to inflict the first defeat on The Phenom.
At the end of the encounter, all three WWE Superstars raised their arms together to the WWE Universe. It is a picture that will long live in the memory of all wrestling fans. It marked the end of an era in the WWE.
Ken Shamrock – Bret Hart vs Steve Austin
One of the highlights of WrestleMania 13 was the submission match between Austin and Bret Hart. It was refereed by former MMA fighter Ken Shamrock, the man labelled as “the world’s most dangerous man”.
It was Hart’s Sharpshooter that won it for him in the end, but it was arguably the turning point in Austin’s career, as he was cheered out of the arena, despite defeat. Just 12 months later he became WWE Heavyweight Champion.
The house of pain pic.twitter.com/S2ulAaEwWY
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) May 5, 2022
Shamrock went on to have a feud with Austin and proved himself to be one of the best submission wrestlers in history, with his infamous ankle lock, which many WWE superstars were on the wrong end of over the years.
No doubt we will be seeing more special guest referees in the WWE in the near future. It is going to be fascinating to see who will wear the black-and-white striped t-shirt next on the ring.
