The Three Count
Page 24
As time went on, things began to fall into place. I was contacted by John Pollock of the Fight Network, a combat sports specialty channel here in Canada. Thanks to John, not only was I freelancing for the Score television network, I was now doing previews and reviews for WWE and TNA wrestling PPV on the Fight Network. I was beginning to get a lot of exposure on Canadian TV. Adding to this was the fact that I was now the regular analyst for the Friday night version of Right After Wrestling.
Right about this time, the Score was making changes to the Right After Wrestling TV and radio shows. The show was rebranded Aftermath. Then I was asked to be a WWE analyst for Aftermath TV for every show. I was now a regular, and I believe that Renee, Arda, and I have developed a rapport that is fun and entertaining, in my humble opinion. At times I have trouble leaving my wrestling past behind, which was evident when I took a bump on the set of Aftermath. Once again I was a part of ground-breaking television. Well, maybe not ground-breaking, but certainly entertaining television. The chairs we sit on when doing the show are reminiscent of chairs you would find at an airport boarding gate. The chairs’ legs are more like small skis, if you get my drift. They are placed on a carpeted riser. As we were filming the show one time, I felt like my chair was moving. I wasn’t sure if it actually was so I ignored it. That is until the back of the chair slipped off the back of the riser and I was stuck in an awkward position. Fortunately for me I did not fall out of the chair and the chair did not topple over. It was just stuck there on a 45-degree angle. Thanks to cameraman Scott Winters for helping me out of a sticky predicament. We didn’t stop filming and just left it in the show. This is a highlight for me to be sure.
Being a freelance analyst for wrestling is mainly what I’m doing now, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m not making the money I was making in the WWE, but I am very happy doing what I am doing and I get to be home with my wife and family every night. Also, the people I work with are awesome. They all helped me so much in making the transition to being an on-air analyst as smooth as possible, and I thank them all for their help. Thank you, Greg Sansone, Gordon Fox, Renee Paquette, John Pollock, and especially Arda Ocal. Without your guidance and advice, I would not be in the position I am in today.
I thought with my broadcasting career starting to take flight I was unlikely to referee a wrestling match for a major company again. Boy, was I wrong. I ended up reffing a few independent events around Toronto for my friends at Squared Circle Wrestling and Max Pro Wrestling. Rob Fuego and Scott D’Amore are the respective promoters and, because we are friends, I worked a few shows for them. I really enjoyed it as I got to see hungry young talent trying to hone their craft and I got to provide them with advice. It was a great feeling having these young men and women asking me for feedback on their matches and other words of advice. I was looked upon as a locker room veteran. Now that’s cool!
I had another unexpected highlight in my refereeing career in May 2012. Ring of Honor is considered the number three wrestling promotion in the United States. They were coming to Toronto’s Ted Reeve Arena for an Internet pay-per-view entitled Border Wars. One of the matches on the card was a rematch between a very talented young wrestler named Mike Bennett who was scheduled to face the much-revered Canadian wrestler Lance Storm. I knew Lance from his WWE days and we got along quite well. About a week before this event, former WWF/E personality Kevin Kelly, who now works for Ring of Honor, contacted me about refereeing this match on the PPV. I gladly accepted.
This was my first time I would referee a televised match for anyone other than the WWF/E. I wasn’t sure how I would be received by the ROH roster. I found out when I arrived at the arena that I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was so generous and respectful that they made me feel right at home. ROH referees Todd Sinclair and Paul Turner were great. It was also great to see many old friends like Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Mike Mondo, Kevin Steen, Fit Finlay, and of course Kevin Kelly.
When Lance arrived, we greeted each other and he asked what I was up to. I told him I was reffing his match that night, and he was very happy to hear the news. As match time approached, I started to get a little nervous. I had not refereed a PPV in three years so I was worried I would be a bit rusty. It was now time for me to go to the ring. Steve Corino was working backstage at the show and sent me through the curtain to the ring. As I jogged to the ring, to my surprise, the hometown Toronto crowd started to cheer. The cheers got louder and I received a standing ovation as many fans threw streamers into the ring. The throwing of streamers into the ring is a show of respect by the fans to the wrestlers. I was really shocked when they threw them for me, all I could think to do was clear them out of the ring. I was really touched by this scene, but when the crowd began to chant “Thank you, Jimmy” and clap in unison, I started to get emotional. I had to compose myself. I could never express in words how I felt at that moment.
After the match, in which Lance was victorious, Lance and I hugged in another show of respect for one another. When I returned to the backstage area, I thought that the booker and everyone else would be upset that a referee would get such a response from the crowd. They were all genuinely happy that I received such a warm welcome from the crowd. Once again I have to say I am grateful to ROH, Lance Storm, Kevin Kelly, and especially the fans for one of the most memorable nights I have ever had.
When I think back and analyze my career both in and out of the ring, I am overwhelmed by how truly blessed I have been. Not only did I get to live my dream by working for the WWF/E, the biggest and best sports entertainment company on the planet, I get to live a new dream now. Wrestling has always been a large part of my life and will continue to be. Just like Bruno Sammartino told me early on, once this business gets in your blood, you will never get it out of your system. The only difference today is that I get to examine as well as give my opinions and insight into the world that is the WWE. I never stopped being a fan so this is the best of both worlds. I watch and comment on wrestling and I am home with my family every night. It doesn’t get much better than that.
When I am asked if I would return to the WWE, I can honestly say that as of right now, it is not in my plans, but who knows. If the right opportunity were to present itself, I might consider it. There is an old saying in the wrestling business: never say never. After all, it was my home away from home for more than 20 years. Maybe Arda and I will show up on the proposed WWE Network one day. You just never know.
When I reflect and look back on my life, I see a diehard young wrestling fan who became a WWE referee and then transitioned into what he is today, a wrestling analyst. I can honestly say that I have had a blessed career. My life in stripes was fantastic! The shirt I now wear may have changed, but the passion lives on.
Me with the world’s greatest tag team, Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas, in Iraq.
Personal Photo
The Big Show & me outside one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces, which served as our accommodations in Iraq.
Personal Photo
Chris Benoit & me getting ready for a helicopter ride while in Iraq for the first Tribute to the Troops.
Personal Photo
Sitting in the back of a Humvee going to the barracks.
Personal photo
Me with John Bradshaw Layfield & Charles Robinson in Iraq.
Personal Photo
Tony Chimel & me at Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq, before the Tribute to the Troops show.
Personal photo
About to paint the ring steps in Iraq.
Personal photo
Eddie Guerrero & me in Iraq.
Personal photo
Tony Chimel, Brian Hebner, me, & Charles Robinson on our way to the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Detroit, Michigan.
Personal photo
Vince McMahon & me at the Atlanta airport after returning from Iraq.
Personal photo
I “bet” you can guess who this is. Couldn’t resist. Yes, Charlie Hustle, Pete Rose.
Personal photo
The gang is all here: Scott Armstrong, Mickey Henson, Jack Doan, John Cone, Charles Robinson, Chad Patton, me, Marty Elias, & Mike Posey. Absent was Mike Chioda.
Photo courtesy Charles Robinson
Jermaine Jackson & me backstage in Anaheim, California.
Personal photo
Hanging with Buzz Sawyer, circa 1983. If I looked like that today, I would be on the No Fly List.
Personal photo
Virgil & me at Maple Leaf Gardens.
Photo by Steve Argintaru
The refs (Jack Doan, Mike Sparks, me, & Mike Chioda) give Will Sasso a hand after he got “stunned” by Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Personal photo
The Air Canada Centre, October 2002. Lesnar versus Palumbo.
Photo by Steve Argintaru
John D’Amico, Tony Chimel, & me having lunch on a patio in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, circa 1997.
Personal photo
Dustin Runnels (Goldust) & me in South Africa, 1997.
Personal photo
Me & Tony Garea in South Africa, 1997.
Personal photo
Me, Gavin (Overseas Ring Coordinator), & Chimel after setting up the ring at the soccer stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Personal photo
Putting finishing touches on the ring.
Personal photo
Having trouble keeping a straight face.
Photo by Steve Argintaru
Working through the “pain.”
Photo by Steve Argintaru
Trying to tell Gunner Scott who leads this dance.
Photo by Steve Argintaru
Mike Sparks, Dave Hebner, me, & Tim White in Richmond, Virginia.
Personal photo
The WWF crew on tour in South Africa posing in front of our “vintage” charter plane.
Personal photo
Ron Bleggi (pyro guy), Larry Heck (WWE trainer), John Cena, & me golfing in Scotland.
Personal photo
Acknowledgments
Performing in front of thousands of people on a nightly basis was a dream come true for a life long wrestling fan. I have so many people to thank for my good fortune that I’m struggling with where to begin.
First, my parents.
Dad, you are my hero. You were the best teacher any son could ask for. Everything that is most important to me — honesty, loyalty, and hard work — you instilled in me. You were always proud of my accomplishments, but I was more proud of you and honored to be your son. The glue that held our family together was my mom. You always put our family first. You have the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known. Thanks, Mom and Dad.
My brother and sister, despite the age gap, were tremendous role models. My brother, with his quiet strength and good advice that was more than helpful. My sister, for being my protector and confidante. More often than not you took the bullet for my mischievous antics — and then listened when I needed to confess. I couldn’t ask for a more loving family.
To my in-laws, thank you for your words of encouragement.
Elio Zarlenga, you were not only the guy who introduced me to the business side of wrestling, you are a good friend who showed me the ropes and had my back — my first real friend in the industry.
Jack Tunney, for taking a chance on a young man with a dream. He was not just my boss; he was someone I respected very much.
Pat Patterson for suggesting to Jack that I try refereeing. Through the years, Pat was a mentor and a friend.
The McMahon family, especially Vincent Kennedy McMahon, for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the greatest wrestling company in the world. I learned so much from the chairman.
Carl DeMarco and all the rest of the WWE Canada office.
Everyone at Titan Tower that helped me with everything from travel arrangements to work permits. Particularly the voice of the WWE, Howard Finkel, for being such a good friend and sharing his passion for this business.
To my WWF/E family, I would not have been able to do what I did if it were not for every referee, wrestler, agent/producer, and everyone else on the crew that I have had the honor and privilege to work with. I would love to list you all here but that would fill another book. It truly was like having a second family. All of you have influenced my career and I learned so much from each and every one of you.
Greg Oliver, for your assistance, suggestions, and photos. You have written several excellent books on wrestling, and your guidance and advice with this project is very much appreciated.
Thank you Andrea Kellaway, Charles Robinson, and Steve Argintaru for allowing me to use your photos. I appreciate all the time you guys spent digging out those pictures. They add so much to my book.
The good people at ECW Press for being interested in my story and agreeing have it put into print. I am grateful for all your hard work and patience.
The Ontario Art Council for assisting a first time writer in getting his story told.
I didn’t want to name any one referee or wrestler because I don’t want to slight anybody but there is one superstar and friend I have to single out.
Adam “Edge” Copeland was gracious enough to pen the foreword and I am forever grateful. Your kind words are incredibly touching. I have so much to thank you for but I think you know how I feel my good friend. Thanks, Edgester!
Thank you to The Score TV, the Fight Network, and all the great folks who work for them.
To John Pollock (spelled it correctly this time), for reminding me how to spell your name and for taking the time to read my manuscript and assist with editing. You are a good friend and I enjoy working with you at FN.
There are two people I really can’t thank enough for making this book become a reality. First is my very good friend Arda Ocal. You are a true friend who is like a brother to me. You not only took a guy with zero experience in broadcasting and helped give him a voice on radio and television; you constantly pestered me about writing this book to tell my story. I told you stories from my years with the WWE and you took notes on your smartphone, email them to me with the tag, “this story should be in your book.” You introduced me to Michael Holmes of ECW Press and the rest is history as they say. Our friendship goes far beyond wrestling. Thank you, bro; I owe you so more than I could ever repay.
There’s an old saying that you should always save the best for last. That has never been truer than right now. The person I would like to thank the most is my best friend, the love of my life, my soul mate, and the most positive influence in my life, my wife Audra. Thank you for taking a chance on someone who was “just a referee.” You never waivered or complained once about how much time this crazy business took me away from home and our family. You knew the sacrifices involved and how much I loved wrestling and how much it meant to me. You once told me, “I could never ask you to give up doing something you love and care so much for.”
Audra, you were also the one who originally said that I should write a book about my career. I told you I didn’t think I could do it and questioned whether anyone would be interested. You always had faith in me and my abilities. I can’t imagine doing any of this without you. Audra, you showed me that it doesn’t matter how many times you fall, it’s more important that you get back up again and again to follow your heart. I have and you are the reason why I always land on my feet. How do I say thank you to someone who has sacrificed so much to allow me to live my dream? I thank God every day for you and look forward to the rest of our lives together. I love you!
About the Author
Jimmy Korderas was a World Wrestling Entertainment referee for over 20 years. He now works as a radio and television broadcast analyst. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.
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LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION
Korderas, Jimmy, 1962–
The three count : my life in stripes as a WWE referee / Jimmy Korderas.
ISBN 978-1-77041-084-8
Also issued as: 978-1-77090-408-8 (PDF); 978-1-77090-409-5 (EPUB)
1. Korderas, Jimmy, 1962–. 2. Wrestling—Officiating—United States. 3. Wrestlers—Anecdotes. 4. World Wresting Entertainment, Inc.—Biography.