Refs being told to break up counts...

[Xero]

A while back (maybe a year or two) I remember reports that WWE wanted the refs to "legitimately" ref the match, breaking up counts if their shoulders are legitimately off the ground and shit like that. I didn't think it was that big a deal back then, but there have been times when it kills the flow of a match, or fucks up the finish because, instead of counting the three, the ref forces them to reposition.

This kind of bugs me now and I wish they wouldn't bother with that kind of shit, especially when it comes to the finish of the match. Is it really a big enough deal to break up the final count because a shoulder is SLIGHTLY off the mat?

Discuss.

[Domino]

Doesn't bother me, I actually like it if they make it seem a little more believable.

Plus, I've never seen it really fuck up a finish of a match.

[Rammsteinmad]

I know what you mean. I'm pretty sure I've seen matches before the one guy will hit his finisher, the other guy is clearly out cold, but the ref will count to 1 and then say the shoulders aren't down or something. Kinda kills the flow of the 3-count and the finish.

[Jimmy Cones]

I remember when Vickie did that horrendous frog splash the pin was interrupted because the shoulders were off the mat. Not that I cared since the "flow" was already gone.

[Next Big Thing]

I mean if the refs clearly know that it's the finish they should let it slide. Only a super mark would truly have a problem with that. However, I think doing stuff like that any time before should be done because it adds authenticity to the matches.

[Savio]

Doesn't bother me, I actually like it if they make it seem a little more believable.

Plus, I've never seen it really fuck up a finish of a match.I remember Gangrel would have won the Euro title if they went legitimate.

[Innovator]

Better than when Torrie and Sable had that abortion of a match where someone was pinned with their shoulders completely off the mat.

[Xero]

I mean if the refs clearly know that it's the finish they should let it slide. Only a super mark would truly have a problem with that. However, I think doing stuff like that any time before should be done because it adds authenticity to the matches.

Yeah, I don't mind it TOO much when it's not the finish. I can't really name any off-hand, but there have been a few incidents where it did bother me that they did it, usually when the refs start the count, stop it, checks the shoulders, then restarts it. They used to do that, but I think my problem is that they now make it too obvious and do it too slow.

[The Pope]

I think they should just tell the announcers to call it. Kind of like Taz does in TNA, if someone's shoulder is up, or the foot is under the rope, he'll point it out even if the ref ignores it. But when it comes to the ref actually being a legit ref, I think it will mess up a lot of matches.

[Jordan]

No I disagree, the more ref's make it real the better it is for me.

[The Pope]

Well sure, but it will fuck up many finishes.

[#1-norm-fan]

I think that rule has been around for a long time now. Much longer than a year or two. It fucked up the end of the Kurt Angle-Rock match from No Way Out 2001 for the title. Rock Rock Bottomed Angle, it was all set for a great out of the blue finish and then the ref stopped the count. Rock picked him up and gave him another Rock Bottom then pinned him. I remember him being legit pissed at the end of it too. It really fucked up the flow of that one.

[#1-norm-fan]

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Notice after the 2nd Rock Bottom, he gives Hebner a "Can you just fucking make the count now?" look.

[thedamndest]

I remember watching that live. It didn't look like Angle kicked out at all. I wonder if Hebner just fucked up or thought the finish was supposed to be two Rock Bottoms.

[DLVH84]

Referees breaking up the counts...that's bullshit. Vince is turning them biased.

[Thunder Savage Go]

they should just do away with the ref altogether and make the crowd count to three.

[Furious Beardsley]

You know what destroys the flow of a match more than the refs breaking up the counts....stopping the damn match because of a little blood.

LET THEM BLEED!

[Jura]

Those of you who want it to be more real how do you feel about someone receiving a finishing move or special move and then just proceeds to quickly roll out of the ring because the ring needs to be clear for the other wrestlers for example Money in the bank matches.

Or like that one time Bubba Ray Dudley received a move then proceeded to position himself for Hardy's Swanton Bomb.

[Mr. Pierre]

I hate when the referees stop counting when it's obvious that the shoulders are meant to be down, but the wrestlers slightly mess up or roll over, or w/e.

It's scripted, so why should the referees act like it's a legit count? It's pretty stupid, and ruins the flow of some good exchanges in matches.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

You know what destroys the flow of a match more than the refs breaking up the counts....stopping the damn match because of a little blood.

LET THEM BLEED!

Most sporting events stop when there is blood or at least they come on the field/court to be worked on. Also, since now that they don't blade the blood that happens is an accident. Accidental blood is more dangerous then blading because it's not controlled.

[Furious Beardsley]

Most sporting events stop when there is blood or at least they come on the field/court to be worked on. Also, since now that they don't blade the blood that happens is an accident. Accidental blood is more dangerous then blading because it's not controlled.

I can't control the amount of blood that comes out of my head if I get a head wound...whether it's accidental or not...can you? Some people bleed faster than others, some gush and some trickle.

It just doesn't make sense to me that accidental blood is more dangerous than intentional. Blood is blood, sure a bladed wound is easier to stitch...but less dangerous? I'm not too sure. I would think that blading is more dangerous due to the fact that it is far too easy to cut too deep and leave a gaping wound in your forehead that takes longer to heal.

That's my opinion though.

[Tom Guycott]

The only problem I see with a rule like this is that you still have to relax it a bit anyway for a truly big man who isn't completely killed, prone, and spread eagle "knocked out" while looking like they're making a snow angel in the ring. If someone like Big Show or Mark Henry is even slightly turned on a side, both shoulders aren't actually down. Even though it is obvious that it's supposed to be over, their matches would NEVER end.

[Skippord]

they should just do away with the ref altogether and make the crowd count to three.
that would make ref bumps very difficult

[thedamndest]

Those of you who want it to be more real how do you feel about someone receiving a finishing move or special move and then just proceeds to quickly roll out of the ring because the ring needs to be clear for the other wrestlers for example Money in the bank matches.

Or like that one time Bubba Ray Dudley received a move then proceeded to position himself for Hardy's Swanton Bomb.

I always hated this about the Swanton. Jeff should have moved the guy every time rather than the guy nudging himself into position.

[Team Sheep]

I wish Morrison would position his opponent before his starship pain. They're always way too close to the turnbuckle and misses them almost completely most times.