10 Times Wrestling Referees Really F**ked Up!

4. AEW Dynamite Gets Off To A Bad Start With Messy Finish

AEW had let it be known in its inception that it wanted its pro wrestling to come across as authentic and real as possible, with strict rules and time limits dictating its matches. But when “The Bastard” PAC took on Trent’s in one of AEW’s first few editions of Dynamite, it’s authenticity was wounded, with critics labelling the finish to the match as amateurish afterwards.

The ending to PAC vs. Trent was sped up due to timing issues and an upcoming commercial break. So PAC quickly hit his Black Arrow on Trent and was supposed to score the clean pinfall. Referee Bryce Remsberg, confused with the timing issues, started making the count but stopped at 2, even though Trent was laid out and didn’t move whatsoever. The crowd obviously weren’t happy, with boos quickly hitting the ring. It didn’t help that PAC had a big match with “Hangman” Adam Page coming up a few days later at the Full Gear PPV and had to come across as dominant, so it didn’t look great when it appeared Trent might have kicked out of his Black Arrow finisher.

Thankfully PAC, frustrated, knew exactly what to do, having had years worth of experience working live TV in WWE. He turned Trent around and locked in the Brutalizer for the win, with Trent passing out.