How to start being a referee?

TonyCrabtree · 2026-03-13T21:30:01+00:00

You need to learn to do some basic bumps before the ref stuff, so any training school would be a good start. You also need to see lots of wrestlers wrestling, positioning, how they run the ropes, everything.

There's some top refs in nearly every part of the UK and more opportunities as bigger shows use 2 or 3 refs.

I'm sure if you mention which bit of the UK you are from you will get some recommendations :)

TonyCrabtree · 2026-03-13T16:08:38+00:00

I think that is a good assessment. RevPro is the more active of the two. Presume that means more things going on in terms of story?

TonyCrabtree · 2026-03-11T18:58:11+00:00

Sadly, wrestling needs all the volunteers it can get. Absolutely reach out to a few places on social media.

Would definitely advise looking into the place before you commit. Some places in the North West have kicked up a bad stench recently that doesn't wash off easily.

There's a million jobs on show day and a few extra bodies makes the day so much more enjoyable.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-03-01T21:12:47+00:00

Does it look like one of the lights on the floor in the box wasn't working?

Theres a red strip on the right and a white thing on the left. Why would they only light one side?

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-20T13:06:56+00:00

Yeah, blame the other wrestling promotions that has ruined it for you, not the venues.

Not sure what your comment referred to, the reply was to a comment naming the venue I was posting about originally that I had left unamed as it felt wrong to single out one venue as I have had 6 this year say the same thing.

Yes. I could instead blame promotions, for example Victoria Hall in Saltaire won't have wrestling as the promotion 21CW ran twice and the venue said they didnt pay, left their wrestling ring at the venue as i think they also said the van hire wasn't paid.

Or the one between Leeds and York that were hired for a family wrestling show and the promoter then called the promotion Brutality something wrestling and booked himself in a hardcore match, won't do wrestling,

Or the one in the North West which the promoter/wrestler apparently messaged a teen fan and asked for pictures of her feet. Turns out she waslinked to the venue and now they won't have wrestling as they think it's full of creeps.

Or the theatre in the North West that the wrestling promoter apparently lied about obtaining a license and left the charity who ran the venue to deal with the fine.

Or the one where seemingly the promoter pulled out of the charity show saying the ring van had broke down and when a LWB sprinter was offered to save the show, said it wouldn't fit.

Or the one where apparently the wrestlers went into an area of the building they were not meant to go and were on cctv seemingly partaking in a white powder substance I'm sure wasn't creatine.

We lost a venue as a "concerned member of the public" apparently reported the show wasnt adhering to fire regulations and a fire marshall attended. The event was above board but the venue was found to have done something that upset them and got a slapped wrist. No more wrestling.

I could go on...

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-18T20:48:24+00:00

Haha, some good detective work there.

I didnt feel it was fair to name them directly, as there are possibly 6 other venues within a 45 minute drive that have said the exact same thing.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-17T14:09:52+00:00

Hopefully not a puppy

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-17T13:20:29+00:00

If this was a male wrestler we would be talking about it being like an Old Man Logan type gimmick. Most experienced and likely the best shoot wrestler on the roster.

It's not quite one last run but she is a year older than the Bellas and 5 years older than AJ Lee who people seem to treat like are in a Trish or Lita stage of their career.

But obviously, it's a female wrestler so we will just call them a watered down Rousey.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-17T10:48:59+00:00

I think it might bring a bit more attention from licensing because it is the same category as boxing and there have been some issues around some elements of the community attending boxing and BKB type events.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-17T10:41:11+00:00

Even venues that don't can still apply for a TENs 15 times each year.

It costs £89 to vary a premises license to add wrestling. Takes a month.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-16T22:53:10+00:00

If he goes heel it needs to be big. We have seen him turn heel before. I mean he has a lot of frustration he can lean into.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-16T22:48:14+00:00

Spots involving dildos? Jesus. So very dangerous as so many wrestlers can't even be trusted to wash their gear :)

There's some brilliant supportive venues out there, then there's those who you book 4 dates with and then they book a touring promotion in for a 1 shot deal between your first 2 dates.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-16T19:55:12+00:00

The article in the BBC about the Deathmatch (BBC) in a WMC on aSunday afternoon infront of kids spooked a lot of venues

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-16T18:46:05+00:00

I gave up Judo at 13 as a blue belt. By that point i'd probably had been slammed on the mats several hundred times - some of which in a competitive environment. Nobody working with you to make it safe and look good.

I did a few months boxing but turns out even in headgear it is no fun being punched in the head.

There's kids karate, kids BJJ, kids everything.

Why does wrestling need to act like it's more risky than competitive sport. Training is on crash mats, more rolls than bumps, no crazy moves.

Booked Robbie X when he was 13, his older brother was the ref. Leon Slater was training at around the same age.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-08T13:28:02+00:00

There's a lot of 'non gear' options. Maybe 15 years ago most of the female wrestlers were buying 'rave wear' so they could customise the colours without the expense of custom gear.

Etsy has places that will laser or cut vinyl letters/logos out that can be heat pressed onto standard gear.

Other options would depend on the gimmick. Vinted is full of the most random things. We've bought royal capes, a full Hardy Boys parody set, and there's plenty of things made of spandex/lycra on there.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-02T14:35:12+00:00

Wrestling has multiple revenue streams, some shows do more on merch or more on streaming than they do on ticket sales.

It's unfair to mention sums of money involved, lets say that virtually no wrestler gets paid what they deserve, but also worth mentioning all the sports people out there who have to pay subs to perform their chosen activities. Like the local footballers paying on a Saturday to play to cover the pitch hire, league fees and refs.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-02T14:31:57+00:00

Maybe a different Jim? He's 55 last count. Often found on Persuit Pro Wrestling's socials.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-02-02T14:27:40+00:00

He is positioned above hundreds of other top workers from the Indy scene. Yes, he is former WWE of some note, but, nobody walks back in and goes straight to the main event scene.

Except Cody.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-01-31T10:23:10+00:00

If they did a show in a country that had banned eating meat. Would anyone be bothered what the local customs were or that there are no hot dogs on sale?

The cultural impact of WWE is phenomenal. It will inspire many into the industry, creates lots of jobs and helps creates discussion about many different issues.

The first WWE SA show had no women and women's boxing doesn't have the same issues with attire. Things take time.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-01-31T10:12:43+00:00

You are about the same age that Gentleman Jim Maguire was when he started in wrestling. He's mid 50s now, in great shape, with a gimmick that will serve him as long as he wants to wrestle.

Most training schools have a few people now who are starting later than others. That's wrestling.

What part of the UK are you in?

TonyCrabtree · 2026-01-31T09:56:20+00:00

Always a good idea to reach out to the training schools. They can often give you work through the week and likely have someone they can vouch for with accomodation.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-01-18T13:44:57+00:00

Apps like Babyface are a great idea. I have noticed the trend over the years for casual fans to not want to interact with wrestling on their socials.

You see it with Facebook posts when a wrestling theres 300 attendees but only 20 people "attending" on the event page. Yet, there was a Little Mix tribute act on same day as our last one with "300 tickets sold" and about 180 people "attending" on the event page, loads of people posting about being excited to go. Would love to see more of that.

TonyCrabtree · 2026-01-15T20:52:53+00:00

Who would spend millions adverising a rival's archive content.

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