Refs with "personality".
 

I didn't want to use "gimmick", but I was thinking that WWE should have their refs have personalities. I know that now they can't even use their names, but this could be a cool concept.

I was thinking this because when something is overturned, for example, it's never really consistent from finish to finish. Giving a ref "personality" would allow for deeper matches, and maybe actually create a natural heel/face ref dynamic. And have the announcers push these differences, as if they were a factor to the match, which they would be.

The obvious, like the speed of counts, are one thing that differs, but let's add to that. One ref may be more prone to restart a count than others. Another may allow matches to get a little more "extreme" than others (some weapons wouldn't be called for a DQ, for example a TV monitor). Yet another may physically break up rope breaks instead of calling for a DQ.

Those are just some examples of what I'm talking about. Discuss.

Not quite what you asked, but awhile back I suggested they have a guy debut as a surly ref. It would start out where he wouldn't like a certain wrestler(s) and then go into he doesn't make his counts and then go into he actually starts doing double team moves with the heel in the match before finishing off the face. I think Destor said he had seen something like that used.

How bout a racist ref?

I wouldn't mind a wee bit of personality at times. Maybe have one ref count a little faster than other refs at times. Another one could be more lenient on DQs while another can be more strict.

The focus should still be on the wrestlers though. Refs should only come into play for specific reasons and storyline progression and/or angles.

I like that idea as long as we don't have another heel Nick Patrick. That was so annoying.

Danny Davis!!!!

It's a good concept, but also won that I think would be too detailed for the casual fan to keep up with.

you mean like earl 'hitler' hebner

have you seen his tash?

I suggested this ages ago, and people complained because it would "distract from the wrestlers." Personally, I like the idea. It makes sense for the referees to be a little different from each other. Some should be more likely to cause a DQ for no reason at all, and others should "let the boys be boys." That sort of thing.

I liked when whomever it was kept having problems with the one ref a few months ago. That's about as much detail as I can go into.

Bumped for Dale.

I think you would have been thinking about CM Punk and Scott Armstrong?

Scott Armstrong seemed to be screwing over Kane a while back (counting three even though Kane kicked out, happened more than once). It was mentioned as it happened, but it never went anywhere.

I remember that. It also looked for a while like he was helping out Legacy? I remember people bringing up that he was part of a wrestling family and helping out those guys.

Meld mine and Xero's threat together if possible?

WCW used to play that up in the mid 90s. Not just the lil naitch shit either. I remember the announcers talking about the differences in their refs (speed of count, what they'd allow, that sort of thing). All in all I think it's a good idea, and would also help flesh out the bouts. Remember, even in a one on one bout, there's always an extra person in the ring. They should make it a point to accentuate that. Not all referees are the same, regardless of what Vince and co. want.