8 Released WWE Superstars Who Will (Ultimately) Be Better Off Elsewhere

Mike Chioda has had the best possible view of some of WWE’s biggest moments. He was the company’s longest serving referee, keeping heels in check with various degrees of success for over thirty years.

He officiated Steve Austin’s first WWE title win over Shawn Michaels, the electric WrestleMania match between The Rock and Hulk Hogan and even made the count that gave The 1-2-3 Kid his name.

You might think Chioda would be a beloved figure, celebrated and held in similar esteem to Mean Gene or The Fink but WWE have long since decided their officials should be nameless nonentities.

While WWE like their referees anonymous, AEW or NWA would recognise the name value and big match authority of such a long tenured official.

AEW in particular have already found room on their books for Earl Hebner and aren’t afraid to play to the nostalgic goodwill of their audience. Plus in Aubrey Roberts they’ve shown how to highlight a referee without distracting from the wrestlers.