Chioda backs naming referees on WWE TV and discusses semi-retirement

Mike Chioda, the veteran wrestling referee who spent more than three decades with WWE, said on Chris Van Vliet's INSIGHT podcast in Tampa that he welcomes the promotion's recent practice of naming officials on television and used the interview to reflect on career-defining moments, injuries and his current, semi-retired status. Chioda also recounted a severe fall in Tampa involving Triple H and Ahmed Johnson that temporarily left him numb and described several high-profile matches he officiated, including a botched move by Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XIX.

On the podcast, Chioda said he likes that referees are being identified again on WWE television, arguing that officials "should be recognized" and listing veteran referees he believes deserve name recognition, including Charles Robinson, Chad Patton and Shawn Bennett. He added that both male and female referees should be mentioned for their contributions.

Chioda, who first appeared for WWE in 1989 and was the company's longest-tenured referee until his release in April 2020, offered vivid recollections of on‑ring incidents. Recalling the Tampa incident, he said Ahmed Johnson tried to throw him over the top rope, but Johnson...