Okay, so I’ve always been a huge wrestling fan, right? And like many, I dreamed of being in the ring. But let’s be real, my body isn’t exactly built for taking bumps. So, I thought, what’s another way to be part of the action? Boom! It hit me – become a WWE referee.
First thing I did was hit up the internet. Turns out, it’s not as simple as just putting on a striped shirt. There’s a whole process involved. I started digging around, trying to find any info on how these guys actually get into WWE. Found out that a lot of them start out in smaller, local wrestling shows. Makes sense, right? Gotta learn the ropes somewhere.
So, I searched for wrestling schools in my area, but many of them just focused on training to be wrestlers. But I still found a few that mentioned referee training. I called them up, asked about their programs, and finally signed up for one that seemed legit. It wasn’t cheap, but hey, gotta invest in your dreams, you know?
The training was intense, I won’t lie. We learned how to position ourselves in the ring, how to count falls, how to spot illegal moves, and most importantly, how to stay out of the wrestlers’ way while still being involved in the match. We also learned how to put together and take down the wrestling ring and work on promotions for live shows. We did a lot of drills, practicing different scenarios over and over again. It’s not just about counting to three, let me tell you. There’s a real art to it. I even got a few chances to ref some actual matches at small, local events. Talk about nerve-wracking! But it was also a huge adrenaline rush.
Trying to get noticed
While training and working these small shows, I also started looking into how to get noticed by WWE. From what I gathered, they occasionally hold tryouts for referees. So, I kept my eye on their website and any wrestling news sites for announcements. In the meantime, I just kept practicing and getting as much experience as possible.
Then, I heard about a WWE tryout happening a few states away. I knew I had to go. I sent in my application, highlighting my training and experience. It was a long shot, but I figured, why not? A few weeks later, I got an email inviting me to the tryout! I was ecstatic! I spent the next few weeks preparing like crazy, reviewing everything I had learned, and watching tons of matches to study the top WWE refs.
The big tryout
The tryout was intimidating, to say the least. There were a bunch of other hopefuls there, all with the same dream. We were put through all sorts of tests, from officiating mock matches to demonstrating our knowledge of the rules and even doing some on-camera interviews. I tried my best to stay calm and show them what I could do. I even remember one of the trainers telling me I had good instincts, which was a huge confidence booster.
After the tryout, it was just a waiting game. Weeks turned into months, and I started to lose hope. But then, one day, I got a call from a WWE number. My heart was pounding out of my chest. They offered me a developmental contract! I couldn’t believe it. All that hard work had paid off. I packed my bags, moved to Florida, and started training at the WWE Performance Center.
The journey continues
Now, I’m not saying I’m main-eventing WrestleMania just yet. It’s still a long road ahead. But I’m in the system, learning from the best, and working my way up. The hourly wage was around $20 at the start, but I heard it could go higher. I’m not doing it for the money though. I’m living my dream, being part of the show I’ve loved since I was a kid. And that’s worth more than anything. It’s a tough gig, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Every time I step into that ring, I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
- Keep pushing, keep learning, and never give up on your dream.
- Maybe one day, you’ll see me out there, counting the 1-2-3 on the grandest stage of them all!
