AEW Announces Earl Hebner, Four Others, As Promotion's Referees
Please, no more screwjobs...
Earl Hebner, veteran official of WWE, NWA, and Impact Wrestling for more than 40 years in all, becomes the fifth individual to be introduced by All Elite Wrestling as part of the promotion's officiating crew.
Over the preceding couple of days, other referees introduced by AEW include longtime CHIKARA official Bryce Remsburg, PWG and Lucha Underground referee Rick Knox, veteran ROH official Paul Turner, and Aubrey Edwards, who officiated in the 2018 Mae Young Classic, and also at WWE Evolution.
Hebner's last high-profile refereeing gigs came in 2018, calling both the Cody Rhodes-Nick Aldis NWA World Heavyweight title match at All In, and their rematch at the NWA 70th Anniversary Show the following month.
Hebner is perhaps best known for his 17-plus year run with WWE between 1988 and 2005. In that time, Hebner presided over countless World title matches and other high-profile main events, but is most synonymous with two controversies: one kayfabe (the "twin referee" screwjob of Hulk Hogan in February 1988) and one real (Montreal).
After leaving WWE, Hebner served as main official for TNA from early 2006 through the fall of 2017.
Over the preceding couple of days, other referees introduced by AEW include longtime CHIKARA official Bryce Remsburg, PWG and Lucha Underground referee Rick Knox, veteran ROH official Paul Turner, and Aubrey Edwards, who officiated in the 2018 Mae Young Classic, and also at WWE Evolution.
Hebner's last high-profile refereeing gigs came in 2018, calling both the Cody Rhodes-Nick Aldis NWA World Heavyweight title match at All In, and their rematch at the NWA 70th Anniversary Show the following month.
Hebner is perhaps best known for his 17-plus year run with WWE between 1988 and 2005. In that time, Hebner presided over countless World title matches and other high-profile main events, but is most synonymous with two controversies: one kayfabe (the "twin referee" screwjob of Hulk Hogan in February 1988) and one real (Montreal).
After leaving WWE, Hebner served as main official for TNA from early 2006 through the fall of 2017.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.