JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you’re a fan of pro wrestling this is a name you definitely remember but often overlooked in the ring.
The third man in the ring, the invisible one but also massively important.
We’re talking about Mike Chioda, a 35 year referee for WWE.
You remember his name because while often overlooked he was at the center of the biggest matches in pro wrestling history.
From Hulk Hogan vs The Rock to Shawn Michaels vs “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Chioda was there.
During the interview one of the matches we focus on is the Hogan vs Rock match at WrestleMania X8.
That is one where Chioda said, despite decades already with the company he couldn’t help but be overwhelmed. “I had goosebumps. I was in the business, 2002, 17 years at that point,” said Chioda. “I was marking out, I became a fan almost myself inside the ring. It was so loud I couldn’t even hear myself talk.”
Another of the more iconic matches during his time in WWE (then WWF) involved the main event at WrestleMania XIV between Michaels and Austin.
The special “enforcer” in that match was boxing superstar Mike Tyson.
“Mike Tyson came back from rehearsals the night before. And he walked up to me and goes ‘hey Mike Chioda.’ I’m like ‘you know my name?‘,” said Chioda. “He loved wrestling so he knew my name, I’m like ‘oh my God!‘”
Another match he ref’d that we discuss is Brock Lesnar vs Kurt Angle.
And following this interview with Chioda we’re joined by Victoria Crawford again to discuss the importance of referees in pro wrestling.
Then a special interview to promote the Beast Invitational Cup Tournament being held in Jacksonville April 26th at 6pm to honor Shad Gaspard who was one half of the WWE team “Cryme Tyme”. Gaspard tragically died in 2020 rescuing his son from drowning in the ocean.