REF WEEK: Let Me Help You By Michael Jameson
Let Me Help You –
This was the calling card of a (not-so) young Rupert Michaels Jr, the young son-of-a-mogul I had envisaged when starting my wrestling journey in Adelaide. I had begun my training to become a professional wrestler in 2019 with a elitist nepotism gimmick (that was done much better by MJF), believing I could make an impact in my mid 30’s.
I had done a few in ring promos and had two matches under a mask. I was feeling good until I was advised I was unable to wrestle anymore (for personal reasons) and had to transition to another role (manager or referee), or leave. I took the latter. I was devastated, but if I couldn’t be in the match I wanted the next best seat in the house.
I refereed for under a year, learning from watching WWE, YouTube and a Jimmy Korderas special on Fite.tv. It was a new side to the business that I hadn’t considered but I went in with my untucked, ill-fitting shirt and tried to count 3 the best I could. I referreed a few gimmick / title matches and discovered how much fun I was having.
The world forced a hiatus through COVID-19, putting a stop to this new found passion of mine. After a year hiatus, I felt the itch and decided to referee again, working in Adelaide for PowerSlam and Pro Wrestling South Australia until I was given the nod to work at Riot City Wrestling, the premiere company in Adelaide.
I was able to learn (and still learn) through senior referee Michael Kent and he was able to correct some bad habits I had picked up along the way and about the psychology needed to enhance any match I’m in. Other notable referees I have learnt from along the way have been Edwin (MCW) and Hannah (PWA/Newcastle Pro). Having passionate people around me who can offer a different point of view or technique is invaluable where a lack of formal training is available.
In the same vein, I have since learnt that not reinforcing the rules, or letting the talent get away with too much can diminish the potential of a fantastic contest. Being asked to ‘just look away during this part’ or ‘ don’t see this’ compared to ‘we’re going to do this to misdirect you and the audience in order for us to achieve ’ is one of the single biggest mentality difference between being a professional wrestler and an indy darling.
The importance of the referee in a match cannot be understated. They are truly the 3rd member in the match. Missed cues, missed spot, missed count and miscommunication all hurt the story our athletes are trying to tell. It is up tot the referee to be the supporting actor that elevates the story. We are not the stars of the show but the referee contributes by being the man behind the curtain, the sleight-of-hand working in the background whilst the performers draw the attention. Sometimes you gotta take a bump, superkick or chairshot, but its all part of the fun.
Positioning and awareness is another important skill of a referee. I had to transition from small room skills to taped hardcam and internet livestream. I learnt about creating the tension needed for creating that late match near fall. To play off the heel and creat peril and sympathy for the babyface, and to play off the babyface to get the heel booed (without directing that heat towards yourself).
I have been afforded the opportunity to be booked interstate and to work for international talent during my time as a referee, something I don’t believe I could have ever achieved as a professional wrestler. Meeting Moose, Alex Shelley or Joe Hendry is not something I could have imagined, but to receive feedback and praise from them was unfathomable! I certainly wouldn’t have done a deathmatch without being a referee! I am thankful for the opportunities to learn from the best and work with the best.
I speak highly of the international talent, but the local scene(s) within Australia hide some obscenely good talent who deserve a national platform to expose them to the world. I’d love to name names but I don’t want to offend anyone by omitting them. Just get online and watch as much as you can. Like ice-cream, every promotion has its flavour and every viewer has something new to satisfy the style they crave.
Its been a different road in professional wrestling for me, but a road still. It’s been a journey of perfecting my own craft whilst learning to overcome bad habits I had developed early on.
I still make mistakes, but I tuck my shirt in now. I realise that I have a lot to learn and even more to give back to the guys and girls who step in that ring and risk their bodies every show. I do it for them.
So it was always, “Let Me Help You” and whilst I’m here to help them tell the stories to make the audiences keep coming back, I’m a forever-ref for how much everyone has helped me.
By Michael Jameson
