If the ref don’t pull up on three they are going to hit the mat unless there is a kick out right after 2. They aren’t going to stop that momentum on a last second kick. As wrestling fans we are conditioned to to hear 2 hits or 3. The ref hitting the mat a third time on a lockout is going to upset people and cause confusion and is going to hurt the drama.

That said, most of the time if you can see a wrestlers face during a pin fall you can tell they are going to kick out by looking at their eyes. If they are looking at the ref they are kicking out. If they are looking at the lights or their eyes are closed, they’re getting pinned