The twenty-plus year officiating run for referee Mike Chioda has come to an end today as he was released by the WWE.
Chioda first appeared for the WWE in 1989, but became a regular referee for the promotion around WWE Survivor Series 1992. Chioda had been the official for some of the most iconic matches in the WWE, including the 1-2-3 Kid’s upset of Razor Ramon on Raw, Shawn Michael vs. Steve Austin at ‘Mania 14, a Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show match on Smackdown when the ring collapsed after Lesnar superplexed Show and John Cena vs. The Rock at ‘Mania 33.
Being a referee didn’t stop Chioda from participating in in-ring competition, teaming with The Rock & Chris Jericho to defeat Nick Patrick & The Dudley Boyz on Smackdown. Chioda, affected by the September 11 Attacks, would wear an American Flag lapel on his referee shift from the first WWE show after the attacks until the final time he officiated before being released by the company today.
You can see our full list of WWE releases during this situation at this link, and see us cover the full happenings on The List & Ya Boy Podcast.
