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The Lost Diary of a 1980s Pro Wrestling Referee
On February 10, 1989, World Wrestling Federation president Vince McMahon altered the course of human history in a manner that could never be reversed. Trying to avoid paying the fees that sporting events typically have to pay their state athletic commissions, McMahon pulled back his industry’s veil of secrecy during a New Jersey senate hearing, officially clarifying that professional wrestling wasn’t so much a legitimate sporting event, but a form of entertainment, right down to the predetermined outcomes. Sure, some had their doubts prior to this moment, but at that point, the secret was finally out: Pro wrestling wasn’t completely “fake” (being thrown off a ladder hurts even if you planned on being thrown from said ladder), but it wasn’t totally “real” either. This is the diary of Ken Carson, the last referee to find out.
January 8, 1989
Dear Diary,
I can’t believe it, it’s finally happening. After all these years of practicing in my room, after the countless matches in friends’ backyards and empty gymnasiums, I finally got the call: This Monday, I’m heading to the big leagues.
You know, I’ll never forget the day Dad took me to WrassleCastle 14 for my birthday. The Main Event was Lumberjack Nicholson vs The Kung Fu Kid for the heavyweight championship, and from that very moment, I knew I wanted to be a referee when I grew up.
Now that my first dream is coming true, it’s time to start chasing my second one: Working a big-time main event on Pay-Per-View television, like the six-sided steel cage match at this fall’s Rosh Hashanah Rumble. I don’t want to jinx anything, but if I work really hard and turn a few heads in the front office, it just might happen. Well, it’s time to get some sleep (Yeah right, like I’ll be able to sleep), because I’m flying out to Salt Lake City in the morning.
P.S. Just imagine — little old me in Salt Lake City! Can you believe it?
January 9, 1989 — Salt Lake City, UT
Dear Diary,
I landed in Salt Lake City in time to meet the crew for Monday Night Manslaughter, and everything started off great. The staff was friendly, The other refs were super cool guys (Especially Stan Bennett, he’s like the Joe Montana of…
