In a high-stakes WWE Money in the Bank event on Saturday, the World Heavyweight Championship match between Damian Priest and Seth Rollins was marred by controversy. Drew McIntyre, holding the Money in the Bank briefcase, was poised to cash in, but the match’s finish raised eyebrows due to a referee’s questionable decision.
During the match, the referee inexplicably halted his count during a pinfall despite Priest not kicking out. This moment has since become a hot topic of discussion, with former WWE referee Jimmy Korderas weighing in on the issue during a recent episode of “Busted Open Radio.”
“In my opinion, I saw what happened in the match … I think Damian got dinged a little bit,” Korderas explained, aligning with WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray’s assessment that Priest might have been knocked out and unable to kick out as planned. “As far as the three-count goes, you gotta count three. It was so egregious, no wiggle room, you couldn’t fudge the numbers at all.”
Korderas, who has years of experience officiating WWE matches, believes that the referee should have allowed the three-count and improvised from there. He argued that the blatant error was more damaging than any storyline adjustments that might have been needed post-match.
A Referee’s Perspective
Korderas emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the count, even if it means deviating from the planned outcome. “I would’ve taken blame. I would’ve said, ‘Sorry Hunter, I f**ked up,'” he said, suggesting that the referee should bear the responsibility for the mistake to uphold the storyline’s credibility. “It’s like 50-50 but at the same time I would take the heat for it.”
Despite the controversial finish, the match took another dramatic turn when Drew McIntyre cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase, turning it into a Triple Threat match. However, McIntyre’s ambitions were thwarted once again as CM Punk intervened, helping Damian Priest retain his title.
The Fallout
The aftermath of the match saw an outpouring of reactions from fans and wrestling insiders alike. Many echoed Korderas’s sentiments, arguing that the referee’s decision disrupted the flow and believability of the match. On social media, fans debated whether the match should have been allowed to end with the initial pinfall and how WWE could have adjusted the storyline accordingly.
Korderas’s perspective adds a layer of professional insight into the complex dynamics referees face in the ring. The split-second decisions they make can significantly impact the storytelling and fan reception of a match.
The Role of Referees in Wrestling
Referees in professional wrestling are tasked with much more than just counting pinfalls and monitoring submissions. They are integral to the pacing and flow of a match, often having to make on-the-spot decisions that can either enhance or detract from the overall narrative. Korderas’s comments highlight the fine line referees walk between adhering to the script and responding to unforeseen circumstances.
Moving Forward
As WWE moves forward from this incident, it remains to be seen how they will address such occurrences in the future. Will there be more training for referees to handle unexpected situations? Or will there be changes in how matches are structured to provide more flexibility in case of in-ring mishaps?
For now, fans are left to ponder the what-ifs of a match that could have ended differently. Drew McIntyre’s failed cash-in adds another layer to his ongoing storyline, while Damian Priest’s reign continues, albeit under controversial circumstances.
