10 Times A Special Guest Referee Actually Improved A Wrestling Match

2. Stone Cold Vs. Dude Love (Over The Edge 1998) - Ref: Vince McMahon

Inserting Stone Cold's arch rival, Mr. McMahon, as the official in this title match was a stroke of genius by WWE's creative team. Not only did it increase the obstacles for the Rattlesnake, positioning him firmly as the underdog, but it gave him someone else to play off. Vince couldn't even pretend to be unbiased, since one of the guys in the match was literally his worst nightmare, but the multiple altercations between Foley and McMahon leading up to the match at least added a sense of unpredictability. Would Dude Love attack McMahon again, even though they'd formed something of a truce recently? Would Vince find a way to screw both of the competitors over? It was an interesting dynamic. But it was McMahon's mid-match decision to turn the ordeal into a No Disqualifications Match (coincidentally just as Love was ready to put Austin through the announce table) and then a Falls Count Anywhere Match (just as Love delivered a neckbreaker on the ramp), that proved how entertaining it was having an antagonistic referee in the bout. There was also the requisite "Oops, Foley inadvertently hit the ref with a chair" moment, which was a bit predictable, but it led to Austin using an unconscious McMahon's arm to make the 3-count while pinning Foley, which made it worthwhile.