Thought this was an unusual but interesting feather in the cap for Rhody. The WWE Hall of Fame has been around since 1993 and has 234 members, and in 30 years, not a single referee has been inducted. But WWE announced today that Tim White will be part of the new class inducted during WrestleMania this weekend.

As a longtime wrestling fan, I knew Tim White was a Rhode Islander before I ever lived here, because he owned a bar in Cumberland called The Friendly Tap and WWE would frequently make reference to it and sometimes shoot segments there whenever they did a TV taping in Providence, at one point completely wrecking it in a huge brawl between two feuding tag teams.

Not only was he a longtime referee for WWE, he was essentially the personal assistant to the legendary Andre the Giant for many years, which is how he got into the refereeing game. He died last year.

Here's WWE's video announcing his induction.

Comments

Proof-Variation7005 t1_je687qp wrote on March 29, 2023 at 6:27 PM

#2,456,115

They're never gonna forgive Earl Hebner, huh

boulevardofdef OP t1_je6d1tu wrote on March 29, 2023 at 6:58 PM

#2,457,048

Replying to Proof-Variation7005 (#2,456,115)

Two major points against Hebner, who empirically should probably be the first ref inducted:

He was fired for essentially stealing and reselling WWE merchandise, and
He joined the 2016 class-action lawsuit against WWE over concussions, which so far has kept all participants out of the Hall of Fame

rye8901 t1_je6dm72 wrote on March 29, 2023 at 7:02 PM

#2,457,166

Interesting. What about Mike Chioda?

Proof-Variation7005 t1_je6fpgd wrote on March 29, 2023 at 7:15 PM

#2,457,600

Replying to boulevardofdef (#2,457,048)

I was gonna say that he took the million dollar man’s money and screwed the hulkster too but yeah.

[deleted] t1_je6tab3 wrote on March 29, 2023 at 8:42 PM

#2,460,423

[deleted]

boulevardofdef OP t1_je6to6a wrote on March 29, 2023 at 8:44 PM

#2,460,533

Replying to [deleted] (#2,460,423)

Andre is probably the most legendary drinker in wrestling history, and there's some very stiff competition there. The amount he was said to drink in one sitting seems impossible until you see the photo of him holding a beer can, then it starts to make more sense.

wyldweasil t1_je73xp1 wrote on March 29, 2023 at 9:54 PM

#2,462,815

I don't know who owns the Friendly Tap now, but when Tim passed they did put up a sign on the building when I drove by. Always wanted to go there, just hoping an APA brawl doesn't break out

Proof-Variation7005 t1_je7suev wrote on March 30, 2023 at 12:58 AM

#2,468,161

Replying to wyldweasil (#2,462,815)

I went by their about 2 years ago and fhe staff and regulars mentioned he’d been in the night before and got hammered.

Not a bad place for that kinda divey old man bar.

geffe71 t1_je950nv wrote on March 30, 2023 at 9:32 AM

#2,478,152

The hall of fame is a joke

Signed a WWE fan

darkrom t1_je9tv5h wrote on March 30, 2023 at 1:44 PM

#2,483,956

Only somewhat related, do we have any cool WWE stuff to visit/see/do in this state?

SNES_Punk t1_jea4l7x wrote on March 30, 2023 at 3:03 PM

#2,486,813

Replying to darkrom (#2,483,956)

Tim White was the owner of The Friendly Tap if that counts.

darkrom t1_jea4rkh wrote on March 30, 2023 at 3:04 PM

#2,486,880

Replying to SNES_Punk (#2,486,813)

It does. Anything else? It’s unfortunate they don’t sell tours or anything in CT at the HQ

SNES_Punk t1_jea527z wrote on March 30, 2023 at 3:06 PM

#2,486,963

Replying to darkrom (#2,486,880)

Strangely enough, aside from that and the wrestling school in Woonsocket and a few very niche indie feds, I don't know that RI has much in terms of wrestling-related things to do.

darkrom t1_jea6yhm wrote on March 30, 2023 at 3:20 PM

#2,487,479

Replying to SNES_Punk (#2,486,963)

You have me curious, what niche indie feds here? I haven't even let myself venture off into AEW, WWE is enough for me as far as time commitment goes, but indie is a whole different breed.

SNES_Punk t1_jea7l55 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 3:24 PM

#2,487,644

Replying to darkrom (#2,487,479)

I'm not a fan of the indies at all, but we have Renegade Wrestling Alliance and RIWA.

Bonus, there is a live indie wrestling event on April 30th at Proclamation Ale Company with ticket prices around $15

boulevardofdef OP t1_jead8rq wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:02 PM

#2,489,148

Replying to darkrom (#2,486,880)

I've actually been to the HQ, many years ago, because I knew a guy who worked there. It was awesome!

darkrom t1_jeade3n wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:03 PM

#2,489,188

Replying to boulevardofdef (#2,489,148)

Jealous. I’d have paid to go check it out

boulevardofdef OP t1_jeadg8b wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:03 PM

#2,489,209

Replying to SNES_Punk (#2,487,644)

Beyond Wrestling, which is actually one of the most respected indie feds, started here and used to do most of their shows at Fete in Providence, though I think they mostly do them in MA now.