Charles Robinson (referee)

Charles Shane Robinson (born July 2, 1964) is an American professional wrestling referee currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), officiating on the SmackDown! brand.

History

Beginnings and World Championship Wrestling (1993-2001)

While growing up, Robinson idolized National Wrestling Alliance superstar Ric Flair. He also studied NWA referee Tommy Young in order to hone his mannerisms as a referee. His professional wrestling career began when he joined the Pro Wrestling Federation as a photographer in 1993, supplementing his income by working as a salesman. In 1996, Robinson became a referee.

Robinson repeatedly petitioned the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) professional wrestling promotion for a job. In 1998, after working with Dan Hedman as a professional sales representative, he was given a tryout match, referreeing a dark bout between Chris Taylor and a jobber. Following the match, Robinson was signed to a contract by WCW.

In 1999, Robinson became the heel referee of the Four Horsemen, aligning himself with Flair. Robinson frequently favored the Horsemen in the matches he officiated, enraging Randy Savage. Savage, who had been suspended by Flair (then the WCW President), proposed a match between his girlfriend, Gorgeous George, and Robinson, with Savage to be reinstated if George defeated Robinson. The match, which marked Robinson's wrestling debut, took place at Slamboree 1999 on May 9, 1999. Robinson, dubbed "Little Naitch" (a reference to Flair's nickname, the "Nature Boy"), came to the ring in a robe similar to those worn by Flair, and mimicked Flair's mannerisms, signature strut and "wooo" catchphrase. Robinson emulated Flair throughout the match, using Flair's customary illegal tactics, but was defeated by George, who pinned him following a diving elbow drop. Robinson wrestled his second match one week later, teaming with Flair to face Randy Savage and Madusa on an episode of WCW Monday Nitro. In the course of the match, Savage delivered a botched diving elbow drop to Robinson, cracking several of his vertebrae and collapsing his lung. After undergoing treatment, Robinson returned to WCW television several weeks later, and was appointed Vice President of WCW by Flair. Flair and Robinson kayfabe ran WCW until they were unseated by Sting, with Robinson returning to his refereeing duties.

In 2000, Robinson appeared in the WCW-produced film "Ready to Rumble".

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2001-present)

When WCW was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation in March 2001, Robinson was hired by the WWF. He debuted in the WWF as a member of The Alliance, bickering with WWF loyalist referee Jack Doan and accompanying senior WCW official Nick Patrick to ringside for his match at WWF Invasion on July 22, 2001. He refereed his first WWF match on July 2, 2001.

In 2002, the WWF was renamed "World Wrestling Entertainment", and the roster was divided between two "brands", Raw and SmackDown!. Robinson was initially assigned to Raw, but was later traded to SmackDown!, where he refereed many women's matches. On the July 1, 2004, episode of SmackDown!, Robinson was forced to wrestle Luther Reigns by General Manager Kurt Angle. The match, however, was quickly stopped by Charlie Haas.

At No Mercy 2006, Robinson, who had refereed a match between Mr. Kennedy and The Undertaker, was on the receiving end of a Tombstone Piledriver from the Undertaker after he had called for him to be disqualified after hitting Mr. Kennedy with his United States title belt. Robinson also officiated the World Heavyweight Championship matches at WrestleMania 22, WrestleMania 23, as well as Ric Flair's final match and the last part of the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXIV.

On the June 20, 2008, episode of SmackDown, Robinson was placed in a match by General Manager Vickie Guerrero after ejecting Chavo Guerrero from ringside during Bam Neely's match with Matt Hardy. He lost to The Great Khali in a squash match. After the match he was carried out by medical officials. He returned in a match between Edge and The Big Show, where he stopped Big Show from giving a con-chair-to to Edge.

Personal life

Robinson is a born again Christian.

On October 11, 2000, Robinson married a woman named Amy. Amy was diagnosed with melanoma of the lung in January 2001, and died on April 7, 2002. He has a daughter from a previous relationship, Jessica who is 12 years old.

Robinson is a close friend of wrestler Nora "Molly Holly" Greenwald. He has had his elbow knocked out of its socket while refereeing a match.

References

External links

• WWE profile
• Online World Of Wrestling Profile