Ref bumps

Long time reader but never really send you questions.

I was watching the Savage-Steamboat match from WM3 (my first time seeing it) and the only thing that hurt the match IMO was the ref bump. Savage had Steamboat beat, but since the ref was down, he didn’t get the three count.

In your opinion, do you think the refs bumps are dumb? Why are they even used?

Thanks,

Matt

I think ref bumps are the most ridiculous thing in pro-wrestling. I mean, we’re to believe that these guys have the same condition as Sam Jackson from Unbreakable with the way some react to simply being brushed up against. I would always dread a ref bump when watching pro-wrestling with a non-fan, because it’s about as hammy & over the top as you can get. A ref takes a chair-shot, or a powerbomb? Sure, they can be out for a minute. But get squished into the turnbuckle? Or trip over a wrestler? Then you have cases like the ref bump from WMX7 in the Triple H/Taker match. I’m pretty sure the ref is still laying Astrodome as we speak.

As to why they’re used, well it’s just a hacky way for the face to have the bad-guy beat, but not actually give him the 3 count. Or so the dastardly doer can commit many an evil act without interruption or fear of DQ. Or sometimes, such as Jericho/HHH HIAC, you need the ref bump as a plot point, in order to get from A to B.