Professional wrestling may be scripted, but it's still a high-risk sport where injuries can occur at any moment. Yet, those injuries are usually reserved for the wrestlers in the ring. After all, they're the ones doing the jumps and flips or taking slams and bumps.
However, in a recent match for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), it was actually the referee who got hurt, having absorbed a cross-body from the top turnbuckle. Upon hitting the canvas, the referee failed to get back to his feet.
Wrestling fans are used to seeing a referee go down. It's often part of how the match plays out, allowing one wrestler to begin bending the rules by introducing weapons or low blows into the equation. Yet, even when it became apparent the referee was genuinely hurt, the match continued, with neither wrestler having the foresight to stop the contest and call for medical assistance.
It took minutes before medical staff began to attend to the injured referee. The audience was likely unaware that his injury wasn't part of the script (often known as a "work" or "kayfabe" among wrestling fans). However, both wrestlers inside of the ring would have known. If it's not part of the script, then clearly something has gone awry.
Al Snow Issues a Statement Over OVW's Mistake
For long-time wrestling fans, Al Snow is a familiar name. He was part of the WWE, primarily during the Attitude Era. Snow is now the co-owner and chief creative authority for OVW wrestling. On Saturday, March 14, he released a statement on X regarding the poor way the referee's injury was handled.
"Traditionally, when an in-ring injury occurs, the referee is the central point of communication, assessment, and decision-making," Snow wrote. "In this unprecedented situation, the person who would normally make that assessment was the one who needed assistance. That unforeseen breakdown in communication contributed to a delay in stopping the match and concluding the show."
The statement then proceeded to explain that OVW is now reviewing and looking to improve the protocols they have in place.
"We are reviewing our existing procedures and updating several of our in-ring and ringside protocols to ensure we continue to meet the highest expectations for performers."
Live entertainment always carries a larger risk of things going wrong or being handled poorly. Thankfully, the referee in question is going to make a full recovery. Hopefully, moving forward, mistakes like this can be avoided.
