Wednesday, January 23, 2013

REFEREES, or: The importance of a good zebra (and how to become one)

If you have a good referee, hold onto him.

Most referees on the independent scene are awful — as are most wrestlers and promoters, mind you — and in this article I am going to tell you exactly why that is and how to fix it. Most promoters are not smart enough to know the true value of a good referee or even how to recognize one, so laziness or lack of talent is ignored or even outright praised and accepted. Their mindset is that referees are by definition a background supporting character, so who cares about what they do or how they do it? The answer: anyone who knows what they are doing in this business.

The old adage of “being seen, not heard,” is often used in connection with referees, only reversed. A good referee should be heard, not seen — which isn’t to say all of the little things he does are inconsequential, but we’ll get to that in a minute. Referees are part of the show, but they are not the feature attraction. They’re a background support, whose participation is vital. That is what the “not being seen” part is about. Nothing is worse than a referee who tries to make the match about himself, whether it is because they are acting in an over-the-top manner or fancy themselves a "gimmick ref."

On that note, a quick side-tangent: professional wrestling is art and art has no rules. They are arbitrary and merely an illusion, which is to say that these rules are based on experience and opinion — as are all things in art and entertainment. Specific rules and etiquette will vary from promotion to promotion. Regardless, the main dramaturgical purpose of officials is to aid with the suspension of disbelief. Therefor, a referee's role is to fortify the existing illusion that professional wrestling is a legitimate sport with actual rules. So, there's nothing to say somebody can't be a "gimmick ref." However, outside of very niche circles, the aforementioned will only result in you being told to burn your boots — and rightfully so. You probably shouldn't be a referee if you are someone who craves the spotlight or being the center of attention.

Another factor in not being seen: work around the camera, don’t make the camera work around you. Work the “horseshoe” around the ring, which means not to walk in front of the hard cam side as often as you can help it. Always be facing towards the camera unless the action dictates you are unable to (counting out to the opposite side, etc.). Be mindful of any other roving cameras on the floor. Always find out where the hard cam is before going out and what locations all floor cameras will generally call home.

Now, for the other aspect: a referee must be heard. While counting, be loud while still maintaining a sense of professionalism. Don’t scream. Instead, boom and project your voice as loudly as possible. Do this for pinfalls, counts to the outside, and five counts. The showmanship of officiating may lead you to believe this rule is true for all dialogue, however that is not the case. Sometimes, it is better to allow your body language to express your projected message more verbosely than your voice. For example, as a referee climbs the professional ladder, they will discover that there is more to officiating than simply portraying a character of a legitimate sports official. For instance, the facilitation of communication.

One of the referee's most rudimentary tasks is relaying a multitude of complicated messages during the course of any given match. At first, this will extend only so far as relaying the next spot from one worker to another, confirming that everyone is okay, and offering rudimentary time cues. Eventually this will broaden to encompass minute-by-minute time and commercial cues, stage directions, and all other sorts of instructions through an IFB earpiece from The Powers That Be in the back. When one gets to that level, it no longer becomes practical to shout all commands. To do so would be to eliminate the camouflage that is delivery of verbal instruction and confirmation of physical wellbeing.

While a referee’s goal is simplified to "not being seen," dressing and carrying oneself appropriately is paramount. First, a referee must look the part. This includes wearing hair that would be acceptable in any other professional setting (generally on the shorter side), no facial hair (this has laxed in recent years, just make sure it is well-maintained and presentable), a tucked-in referee shirt (traditional black and white zebra colors or if the company mandates a different color or style), black slacks or dress pants (not sweat pants, jeans, or shorts), a black belt, black socks, and all black footwear (amateur shoes, wrestling boots, or sneakers are all acceptable), and, finally, knee braces and pads — just like your underwear, these should be all black should there ever be an unexpected tear.

A referee should generally not wear anything that will make them stand out and look unique. Alternate dress codes or themed events notwithstanding, wrist tape and elbow pads should be avoided unless they are absolutely necessary for medical purposes. Hats, gloves, and other protective gear is acceptable if  the situation calls for it, such as in a deathmatch setting — this provides you with added protection and also sells the danger of the stipulation.

As far as body shape and size goes, there are two camps: one desires a referee small in size and stature in order to make all of the wrestlers look bigger. The other wants an in-shape referee who looks like they are capable of handling themselves physically, like a mixed martial arts official. Neither is wrong, but either way I suggest you at the least be in decent shape and have good cardio (nothing is worse than a match that needs to be taken home early because the ref is too blown to keep up — yes, sadly, it has happened).

So now you’re looking the part, what else do you need to be an effective official? You need to maintain an aura of professionalism at all times you are in front of that crowd. That means not slumping in the corner, leaning on the ropes during ring intros like an asshole. That only makes you and the company both look like amateur hour.

Referees also need to retain the fact that they are the authority in the ring. They are the boss, the wrestlers have to listen to the referee, not the other way around. Don’t be afraid or cower (unless they are doing a “scary” gimmick, IE The Undertaker, but even then, only in moderation), even if they threaten to punch your lights out. You just point to your stripes and say, “listen motherfucker, I will throw your ass out in a heartbeat and award the match to your opponent. So unless you want to lose, you better focus your aggression on him, not me.” You are ten feet tall and bulletproof in there, don’t ever forget it. Be confident, be in charge.

By that same token, stand tall. Your posture is important. Don't slouch or otherwise you'll look like a shitbag. Carry yourself with confidence (which is not to be mistaken for swagger). You're supposed to be the authority figure out there. How can anyone take you seriously if you don't conduct yourself in a serious manner?

Your counts. Counts are just about everything to the referee. General tip on all counts involved: always maintain the same cadence. Now let’s look at them one-by-one:

1. The pinfall. The most important count of the referee. Be at a position where you can clearly see both shoulders. Be close, but give enough space so that you aren’t hit if they do something stupid. Around one and a half feet is good. Hit that mat like you’ve got a pair. Verbalize the count. Don’t count too fast, give it a measured “Mississippi” in between each slap of the hand. Make it big, but not too big. Watch TV refs for the best example on how to time this. Also, do not under any circumstances let me catch you stalling your arm on a near fall when you know that it isn’t the finish. You bring that arm down, otherwise it kills all of the emotion of the near fall. Bring it down and, if need be, swipe it through. Also, don’t hit the three ten times faster than you would any other fall just because you know it is the finish, it is a dead giveaway to the crowd.

Note: A lot of things I hear referees getting antsy about is, what happens if the guys don’t kick out in time? There are two ways to go with this. 1. Fuck ‘em, they should have kicked out. 2. They plan on having a super late kick out in order to build drama, in which case swipe everything but what you know the finish is. Which of the two you do is all about the culture of the company you work at and trust, because either could potentially go wrong. If you decide to swipe on everything and they know that, then change the finish without telling you, that doesn’t just make you look bad. It makes them look bad too. But make no mistake about it: it makes you look worse. So if you’re going to swipe, make sure you trust them enough to know that they aren’t going to change the finish without giving you the iggy that it’s going to change. I recommend that all refs be prepared to count it as if it is a shoot, just-in-case. A good way to practice that is to have a partner lay on their back. Count the fall and instruct them to kick out at random intervals. Forcing yourself to accommodate to the unpredictability of the situation won't make your count foolproof, but it will increase your perception and timing tenfold. In the end it is your call. Choose wisely.

2. Count to the outside. This typically last for a count of ten, but in some places it is twenty. Make extra sure these counts are big and booming so that everyone hears you, especially the guys on the outside. Stretch the counts out to a reasonable amount of time to do whatever they’re doing. Fill in the brief time between the numbers with, “come on guys, in the ring, let’s go,“ etc. Find out before the match if the guys are going to the outside a lot, and if so, whether you should count from inside the ring, or if you should follow them out there (because they’re going to be a while) - that one, too, is dependent on the culture of the company and how they want you to enforce the rules. If one guy is on the outside and the other is inside, and they go to push past you, grab them and walk them back to the other side of the ring, tell them to stay in their corner. Then go back to the guy on the outside, restart your count due to it being interrupted. This is a ploy to give the guy on the outside more time, whether it is because he needs a breather or to get more heat from the crowd.

3. Ten count (double down). Take your time, make this big. All eyes are on you. Count should be slower than a pinfall, but faster than a count out. In between each count, check on alternating wrestlers. Aside from making things look legitimate, this is an effective way to communicate spots or other messages (something we will get to in a minute). As the popularity in MMA has surpassed boxing and, thus, proportionately affected the rules of professional wrestling (such as the widespread elimination of the illegality of a closed fist), many companies are doing away with double downs: if a wrestler is unable to answer a count of any reasonable count, they're unable to intelligently defend themselves and continue the bout. I most often find that this is left to the discretion of the performer, as many prefer you nix the count in favor of an organic audience buzz. This is largely in response to modern fans counting along with the official (or otherwise attempting to hijack it), which takes attention off of the escalating drama the workers are hoping to achieve.

4. Five count (DQ warning). Like the ten count to the outside, work with them, but keep it consistent. Give them time to work what they're doing, but not so much that it's absurd. Your speed is dependent on the situation, as well: count faster for a choke than you would someone being crowded into the corner by a lock-up. Be stern. Be within arm’s length for this. If you get to five and they aren’t breaking, don’t be afraid to grab them and pull them off. Don't be afraid to get in there!

Tag team wrestling. Two important things here: 1. pay attention to the cues from the heels and the faces. If the heel draws the non-legal face in the ring, go and stop that face from coming in. Failure to do so and you will make the hot tag less important. 2. Wrestlers, don’t bury the refs, and refs, don’t let the wrestlers bury you. There is a five count in between tags. Give them enough time to get something in, but wrestlers, don’t go in there doing spot after spot for minutes at a time, it buries the refs and makes them look like shit. The leniency of that will vary from company-to-company. And refs, if you're supposed to miss something, find a way to cover your ass without burying yourself even if the supposed distraction is asleep at the wheel. When in doubt, CYA: Cover Your Ass.

And what happens when you, as a wrestler, bury the ref in any way? Whether it be ignoring the five count or completely undermining his authority? You are essentially shitting on the company. Look at it this way: the referee is the official representing the company you are competing for, representing the owner, representing the rules they have laid down. If you disrespect him or her, you are disrespecting the company, the owner, and the entire professional wrestling business itself. Don't do it.

Note: In reality, there are no rules in professional wrestling, only the illusion of such. Everything is an illusion in wrestling, save for the money and the miles. By breaking the illusion of the rules, you break the overall illusion that every single person backstage is working so hard to achieve (depending on the climate and culture of the company). Generally speaking, it's a good rule of thumb not to do that.

Now let’s look at a few other miscellaneous things to keep in mind as a ref.

-Stay busy. Don’t just stand there with your dick in your hand. We are working to build up the illusion of legitimate competition, so make it look like one. Constantly be looking for submissions, making sure of the legality of the action going on before you in-ring, etc. Watch referees from legitimate sports and take notes.

-Sell the in-ring action. When toddlers fall down, they often look to the adults to see how they should react to it: if the adult treats it as something serious, the child will begin to cry. The audience is similar in that they sometimes look to the referee for what the proper reaction should be. Without that great reaction the angle won’t go over as well as it could. Whether it is the well timed look of disgust when there is a turn, that legitimate showing of confusion when you are told after the match the heel held onto the tights, the look of sympathy and concern as someone is hit, or the look of amazement when a death-defying act is performed. A perfectly timed display of emotion heightens the drama and makes lifting the feeling of disbelief that much easier for the audience. Use this in moderation, don't be a ham. Less is more.

-Checking submissions. This goes hand-in-hand with selling. Be intense, be concerned. Treat this like it is a big deal, that it could be the finish. If you don’t act like you believe it, why would the audience?

-Work with your dance partners when giving obvious cues. If the heel is right near the ropes while working an abdominal stretch, position yourself in a blind spot so he can pull on the ropes, then go to check if he is cheating in-sync with when they let go. This is Pro Wrestling 101.

-What to do if you fuck up? Two ways to go, rather go with the flow and be 100% confident in your portrayal to the crowd that you made the right call, or admit that you made a mistake. You didn’t mean to slap the mat a third time, the kick out was too last second to stop the momentum of your hand. Either way, don’t half ass it. Go one way or the other, otherwise the crowd will know you fucked up and will tear into you. Not to mention the boys when you get to the back.

Note: Accidents happen. Before you tear into a referee for blowing a spot, think of if you would like being torn into every time you made a mistake? There’s a difference between constructive criticism and being a dick.

-Use proper psychology. If you are in a situation where someone should be pissed, get pissed. If you get bumped, sell it. Don’t just pop up and be perfectly fine to hit the three count just because they got the cheating out of the way. Make it believable.

Note for promoters: I see referee bumps being used far too often as a crutch to shoddy booking, instead of as a way to compliment and add to the drama of a story. The more often you do a ref bump, the less it’ll mean every time it happens.

Now that we’ve worked out some of the presentation aspects of what makes a good referee, let’s look at the functional side of things.

-Communication. The chief job of the referee is to be an effective communicator. This comes into play in a lot of different ways. Voicing spots to one another, communicating if the other is hurt or just needs a minute to catch his breath, how much time they have left (being able to mentally gauge how long the match has gone is a learned skill that comes only with experience for both wrestlers and referees), watching if there is a “take it home” sign coming from the back. Some guys and some promoters ask the ref to take advantage of the fact they are so close and watching the action to tell guys if something they’re doing isn’t working, or give them helpful hints. Like to lay in a bit more because their shit looks weak, if a guy gets color and needs more or if it looks good, if they should focus on working the crowd more, etc. Some guys get a bug up their ass about this, so use your best judgment and only speak if you genuinely have something to contribute.

-The iggy, which is the squeeze of a hand (typically to be received on the inside of the palm, but it can be done elsewhere, such as on the forearm on every corresponding number when conducting a five count to remind the worker you're there). In this context, it is done by the referee to the worker to check if they worker are okay. If so, a reciprocal squeeze back is in order.

-Know your signals. The X sign for injury (if you are using it to work an angle, make sure you let the boys know so nobody shits themselves backstage). Other signs vary from person-to-person. If you are using an earpiece, figure out other cues to respond, “got it,” and, “negative.”

So that’s a little bit of what it takes to be a good referee. A lot more than most of you probably thought, huh? A hell of a lot more than just counting to three. So let’s start showing referees respect. Refs are workers too, not second-class citizens within the professional wrestling industry.

If I hear anyone telling a ref that the finish is when they, “count to three,” I’m requesting to work that guy next show. When they ask what I want to do out there, I’ll tell them we’ll call it in the ring, finish included.

I also highly recommend that all referees read my article on hustle, as with the nature of referees being auxiliary roles whose job is not to be noticed, it applies to them ten times more so than wrestlers. Happy travels, zebras!

Until next time,
-AWV

3 comments:

  1. I'd like to add that I think it's important for a ref to not fall down on the canvas when making a 3 count, because the loud sound confuses wrestlers and fans as to whether or not what they heard was the "one" count without a "one".

    Some other small points: no jeans, search the wrestlers once in a while, ask if they are ready, don't forget to signal the bell start and finish, clearly show the winner by raising his hand and pointing at him... and surely more that I'm forgetting (i'm not a ref btw ;) )

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  3. I agree with everything here 99%. As a 17-year "indy vet", nothing annoys me more than referees looking like shit.

    Only thing that I disagree with is the use of the X symbol for a worked injury. In my opinion, it should only be used in a shoot situation.

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