10 Unlikely Superstars That Deserve A Place In WWE Hall Of Fame

Surprising fact: there are no referees in the WWE Hall of Fame. Given the inclusion of announcers, managers and a much-maligned celebrity wing it is surely not out of the question.

If ever there was a referee ubiquitous with WWE it was Earl Hebner. From 1998 until 2005 he saw it all. A shenanigan filled debut as the ‘evil’ twin (his brother Dave was the assigned match official) helped Andre The Giant pin Hulk Hogan. The subsequent backstory between Earl and his brother made him immediately recognizable. Strangely, it foreshadowed his involvement in the Montreal Screwjob a decade later. Real-life often mirrors fiction. Despite Hebner going on record to claim that infamous night in 1997 was a work, cries of ‘you screwed Bret’ would follow the remainder of his time with WWE and beyond.

Hebner remained a fixture, officiating main events until his controversial 2005 departure for unsanctioned merchandise sales. This misdemeanor may damage his case, but his name is forever linked to some of the finest moments in the '80s and '90s. Vince McMahon often forgives, even if he doesn't forget.

For now, Earl is the chief official for upstart rival AEW; it might be a while before we debate this one again.