From Hulk Hogan to John Cena: Mike Chioda, The Main Event Referee, Retires After 36 Years
He never sought the spotlight, but for millions of fans who grew up in the Attitude Era, Mike Chioda was as recognizable as the legends he shared the ring with. After 36 years in the stripes, the longest-tenured referee in WWE history has quietly confirmed he’s retired — though, in true wrestling fashion, he’s left the door cracked for “one more match.”
From Survivor Series to the Main Events of a Generation
Chioda’s WWE career began in 1989, thanks to family ties with Gorilla Monsoon. From there, he became a fixture, debuting at Survivor Series that same year and never truly leaving until the pandemic in 2020. Over three decades, he officiated thousands of matches, earning the trust of Vince McMahon as WWE’s most reliable official.
He wasn’t just counting three. He was there for history:
- Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock at WrestleMania X8 in Toronto.
- Steve Austin’s coronation against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 14 with Mike Tyson at ringside.
- Brock Lesnar superplexing Big Show through a collapsing ring.
- John Cena vs. The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII.
- Razor Ramon vs. 1-2-3 Kid (The Fast Count)
And yes, he even delivered his own People’s Elbow once, teaming with The Rock and Chris Jericho in a rare moment where the referee became part of the show.
Chioda took bumps, too. At WrestleMania 15, Stone Cold cracked a steel chair across his skull — and the ringing in his head lasted for days. That willingness to put himself in harm’s way made him invaluable during WWE’s wildest years.
Release, AEW Appearances, and Flair’s Last Match
In April 2020, the pandemic led to budget cuts and Chioda’s release after 31 years. The move stunned fans and talent alike — he was, in many eyes, as much a WWE fixture as the ring ropes themselves.
But the stripes didn’t stay folded. Within months, Chioda popped up in AEW, refereeing for Cody Rhodes, Chris Jericho, and later the finals of the Owen Hart Tournament in 2022. His last major appearance came at Ric Flair’s Last Match in July 2022, a controversial yet fitting assignment for a man whose career was built on being trusted in big moments.
What Mike Chioda Is Doing Now
These days, Chioda is focused on giving back. He’s training referees in Orlando, running seminars, appearing at conventions, and sharing stories on podcasts with Conrad Thompson. His tales — from breaking up fan attacks to managing chaos in the ring — remind us just how much referees endure to keep the show alive.
Chioda has admitted the pain of his WWE exit still lingers — he never got a call from Vince McMahon, despite decades of service. But fans and peers have spoken louder than any executive could: Mike Chioda is a legend.
As he put it: “Pretty much, yeah, I’m retired… but if the right call comes, maybe I’ll do one here or there.”
For fans of the ’90s and 2000s, that sliver of possibility keeps alive the memory of a referee who helped shape some of wrestling’s most iconic moments.
🎙 Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
Mike Chioda’s career is a reminder that referees aren’t just background players — they’re the glue that keeps wrestling’s chaos together. He wasn’t about catchphrases or stardom, but he was there for the moments — sliding in for Hogan vs. Rock, counting Austin’s crowning victory, and holding it together when rings collapsed or superstars improvised.
Chioda’s quiet exit reflects who he is: humble, understated, but undeniably important. For an entire generation, his presence made WWE feel real, consistent, and grounded. In many ways, Chioda was the Attitude Era’s heartbeat — just without the entrance music.
