10 Most Controversial Wrestling Referees Ever

1. Earl Hebner

No list looking at the most controversial referees in wrestling history could ever be complete without the name Earl Hebner. Way before he was caught up in the infamous 'Montreal Screwjob', Hebner had been involved in a controversial incident with his older brother, Dave, way back in 1988. Andre The Giant was challenging Hulk Hogan for the WWF Title shortly before WrestleMania IV, and the story was that Ted DiBiase had paid off Dave Hebner's younger brother, Earl to officiate the bout and screw Hogan out of the belt. That's exactly what happened, all before the schemes were revealed, and DiBiase was disallowed from being handed the title by Andre. That was all part of the plan, a beautifully-concocted storyline, but the events of the 1997 Survivor Series were not. Memorably calling for the bell prematurely as Shawn Michaels gripped Bret Hart in his own Sharpshooter, Hebner quickly ran from the building, into an awaiting car. In his book, Hart claims Earl swore on his children's lives that he didn't know anything about any plans to screw him over by Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels, something which obviously wasn't true, otherwise he wouldn't have left the arena in such a hurry. Without doubt, Early Hebner is the most controversial referee in history. Unbelievably, the man would even be forced to leave WWE once company officials found that he and his brother were selling promotional merchandise behind WWE's back, and he has earned his living in TNA ever since. What other controversial refereeing moments do you remember? Do you agree with the choices on this list? Let us know down in the comments section below!