WCW Referee Randy Eller First Ever Referee

·41 min·4 clips

WCW referee Randy Eller shares his first-ever long-form interview about the Nitro era and behind-the-scenes stories.

The episode is an interview with Randy Eller, a former WCW referee, conducted by host Jack Kilby. Eller begins by explaining how he got into wrestling as a child watching Florida Championship Wrestling and being inspired by referee Stu Schwartz. He details his rigorous training in the 70s, where he had to take bumps like a wrestler despite wanting to be a referee or manager. Eller recounts his early career break, getting a one-day tryout with WCW after being recommended by promoter Bill Brown. He shares several behind-the-scenes anecdotes, including taking a Randy Savage elbow off the top rope after Savage drank a 12-pack of Miller beer, with Terry Taylor advising that more beers would make it lighter. Eller discusses interactions with wrestlers like Jerry Sags, who threatened him before a match, and Lex Luger, where Eller accidentally counted a pin that wasn't the finish, leading to a confrontation with Eric Bischoff. He talks about being at Bash at the Beach during Hulk Hogan's heel turn and refereeing a steel cage match where Ric Flair won his 13th world title. Eller describes his time in ECW, working Florida shots with Rob Van Dam and Paul Heyman, and his decision to avoid WWF due to potential trouble in the locker room. He reflects on changes in wrestling, preferring the old days when matches were called in the ring rather than choreographed. Eller mentions working with Chris Benoit, who he says was professional, and his current involvement with independent promotions like Coastal Championship Wrestling and Boca Raton Championship Wrestling in Florida. The interview concludes with Eller's advice for aspiring referees: listen more than you talk and stay humble.

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