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Earl William Hebner (born May 17, 1949) is an American retired professional wrestling referee. He is best known for his time as senior referee for the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) from 1988 to 2005. Hebner (along with his identical twin brother, Dave) played a prominent role in the inaugural The Main Event card in 1988, in which André the Giant controversially defeated Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship, as well as the infamous "Montreal Screwjob" during the main event of the 1997 Survivor Series. He also participated in a number of storylines, including feuds involving The McMahon–Helmsley Faction and The Alliance. Hebner was also the senior referee for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) from 2005 to 2017, and was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2015.

Key Information

In 2019, Earl Hebner joined All Elite Wrestling, where he was used primarily for main event and title matches.

Professional wrestling career

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Early career (1977–1988)

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Hebner officiated matches for Jim Crockett Promotions during much of the 1980s. He was the referee during the famous "I Quit" match at Starrcade 1985 between Tully Blanchard and Magnum T. A. He can be seen at ringside during the first ever WarGames match at the 1987 Great American Bash as well as the final match of the Bunkhouse Stampede tournament in January 1988.

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1988–2005)

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Debut and championship controversy (1988–1997)

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Just days after that match, Hebner debuted in the World Wrestling Federation as a referee during a WWF World Heavyweight Championship match pitting champion Hulk Hogan against challenger André the Giant, which aired live on February 5, 1988, on NBC's The Main Event. In the storyline, Hebner's identical twin brother Dave Hebner was the assigned official, but unbeknownst to Hogan, André's manager Ted DiBiase had bribed the then-unknown Earl Hebner to steal the victory and the championship (Earl and Dave are identical twins, so this was easy to pull off). Earl then counted André's pin against Hogan, even though Hogan's shoulders were clearly off the mat. As André and DiBiase were celebrating (with André quickly "selling" his title to an overjoyed DiBiase), Dave (whom DiBiase had locked in a closet prior to the match) ran to the ring and confronted Earl. The two brothers argued, and then they fought each other in the middle of the ring. Hulk Hogan, figuring out that Dave's "evil twin" had jobbed him out, picked Earl up and gorilla press slammed him over the ropes and onto the aisleway (missing DiBiase). It was part of the storyline for Hogan to lose the title in order for him to start filming on No Holds Barred.

This match helped set up a 14-man elimination tournament at WrestleMania IV, since WWF President Jack Tunney declared the title "vacant" a week after The Main Event match as the WWF World Heavyweight Championship "cannot be bought or sold," where the winner would win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Vince McMahon paid both Hebners a bonus of $2,500 for participating in the angle.

Meanwhile, the WWF continued to build heat for Earl Hebner through a kayfabe "investigative report" published in the promotion's flagship publication, WWF Magazine. The article claimed, through a fictional backstory, that Dave had "been plagued by the misdeeds of his brother Earl" throughout their childhoods, citing such examples as Earl's cheating in school and, while posing as Dave, doing such things as bullying fellow students and abandoning Dave's pretty girlfriend on a sidewalk in a slum district at night. The report continued by noting that, despite Dave's appeal of the controversial ending to the Hogan-Andre match at The Main Event, Tunney had to uphold the decision since Earl was a licensed referee in Indiana (the match took place in Indianapolis); and that, as a result of Earl's cooperation, he became a "very rich" man thanks to a payoff by DiBiase.[1]

However, the "evil twin" referee storyline was quickly dropped when Dave was apparently injured in the aftermath of the Hogan-Andre Main Event match; in a 2001 interview with the WWF RAW Magazine, Dave claimed to have suffered broken ribs as a result of Earl kicking him as part of the angle, forcing Dave out of action until after WrestleMania IV. The storyline was then shifted to have Earl come clean, and he was the referee when "Macho Man" Randy Savage won the Tournament final at WrestleMania IV against "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship.

The Montreal Screwjob (1997)

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Main article: Montreal Screwjob

The most infamous event in Hebner's career—and possibly in the history of professional wrestling in North America—came during the main event of the 1997 Survivor Series in what has since been dubbed the "Montreal Screwjob". During a match for the WWF Championship between then champion Bret Hart and challenger Shawn Michaels, Hebner signaled for the timekeeper to ring the bell (signifying the end of the match) while Michaels had Hart in a Sharpshooter hold—Hart's long-established signature move—even though Hart visibly had not submitted. Michaels had thus "won" the WWF Championship. This was not the match ending that Hart had asked for. Hebner had, at the behest of Vince McMahon, "screwed" Hart out of the title. The reason for the "screwjob" was that Hart, who would be leaving the company one month later to join a rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW), was unwilling to lose the title to Michaels in Canada. Though Hart said that he was willing to vacate the title the next night on WWF Raw, McMahon feared that Hart would leave the company with the title, take the belt to WCW, and disrespect it as Madusa had done in 1995 with the WWF Women's Championship, throwing the belt into a garbage can during a live Nitro show. He therefore decided to remove the title from Hart forcibly, by instructing Hebner (who had previously promised Hart "on his children's lives" that he would not betray him) to signal an end to the bout when Michaels had Hart in a submission hold.

The fallout of the screwjob led to a large degree of antagonism towards Hebner, McMahon, and Michaels, especially in Canada, where fans often chant "You screwed Bret!" at the offending parties. In the same vein, Earl's son Brian Hebner, a former WWE referee on the SmackDown! brand and current Impact Wrestling referee, received chants of "Your dad screwed Bret!" at shows in Canada. However, on Right After Wrestling, hosted by Arda Ocal and Jimmy Korderas, Hebner stated that he has since spoken with Hart and they have buried the hatchet, with regards to the Montreal Screwjob.[2]

Hebner in the WWF with Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Later WWF/E career and departure (1999–2005)

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Hebner was involved in several storylines. He spearheaded the (kayfabe) referee's strike in 1999, resulting in referees being given the authority to defend themselves if physically provoked by wrestlers. In early 2000, he cost Triple H his WWF Championship by quick-counting during a match between Triple H and Chris Jericho following weeks of abuse by Triple H. Triple H eventually forced Hebner to reverse the decision, promising never to lay his hands on Hebner as long as Hebner was a WWF employee. After Hebner took the title from Jericho and gave it back to Triple H, Triple H "fired" Hebner and promptly Pedigreed him and beat him unconscious.[3] Hebner was reinstated by Linda McMahon thirteen days later, replacing corrupt guest referee Shane McMahon during a title match between Triple H and The Rock at Backlash and counting the fall when The Rock covered Triple H for the pin.[4] Hebner was also the first referee to be a playable character in a wrestling video game as he was included in the roster of WWF No Mercy. During the Invasion angle in late 2001, Hebner became involved in a feud involving WCW referee Nick Patrick. Patrick was a biased referee who often helped The Alliance achieve victories over their WWF opponents. Hebner defeated Patrick in a match at WWF Invasion.[5]

On July 18, 2005, WWE announced that Hebner was fired from WWE for selling WWE merchandise without permission. Hebner's identical twin brother Dave was released from WWE as well on July 19 in connection with these events. These activities would have been conducted from a store that Earl Hebner had partial ownership in, the St. Louis based Pro Shirt Shop. To avoid negative publicity, the controlling owner of the Pro Shirt Shop, Nick Ridenour, bought out Hebner's share in the company and released a press statement which claimed that the company only received merchandise from licensed distributors.[6] However, the claim of Hebner's firing for selling bootleg merchandise was then rebuked during a March 2025 interview when WWE's then-head of talent relations John Laurinaitis actually fired him because he wanted to terminate his brother, Dave, who was McMahon's right hand man, from his employment.[7]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Impact Wrestling (2006–2017)

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Hebner at a TNA event in January 2010.

Seven months after his departure from WWE, Hebner debuted for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) at the Against All Odds pay-per-view on February 12, 2006. He officiated the main event, which saw Canadian born Christian Cage defeat Jeff Jarrett for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. During the match, commentators Mike Tenay and Don West alluded to the Montréal Screwjob on several occasions, urging Hebner not to call for the bell when Jarrett placed Cage in a sharpshooter. Despite the concerns of the commentators, Hebner was an impartial referee. However, he once again caused controversy based on his actions at the TNA Slammiversary 2006 pay-per-view. During the King of the Mountain match, he assisted Jeff Jarrett in winning the match by pushing a ladder over with Sting and then-champion Christian Cage on it. This led to the new head of management Jim Cornette taking the belt from Jarrett as the show ended, leaving the status of the belt in question as to who would be the champion. On the June 22 episode of TNA Impact!, Cornette vacated the title. On the June 30 episode, he awarded the title to Jarrett, but fired (kayfabe) Hebner. Hebner was then reinstated by Cornette due to Jarrett's polygraph test saying that Hebner was not involved. Hebner was punched in the face by Jeff Jarrett and was (kayfabe) injured. At No Surrender he replaced original referee Slick Johnson for the TNA Knockout Tag Team Championship match because of what happened at Victory Road.

Hebner with Mr. Anderson at TNA Genesis 2011.

TNA Wrestling had their own version of the Montreal Screwjob, in this case, it was a TNA World Heavyweight Championship match on the January 21, 2010, episode of TNA Impact! between Kurt Angle and defending champion A.J. Styles. Previously to this match, Angle and Styles had fought at the TNA pay-per-view Genesis, which was also for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship except the stipulation was that if Angle were to lose, he would never get another shot at the title in 2010. In this match, Ric Flair interfered causing Styles to retain his title. Hulk Hogan, now running TNA with Eric Bischoff somewhat controversially to some fans, said that due to Flair's interference in the match at Genesis, Angle would get another match at the title on Impact! and if Flair were to interfere, Styles would be stripped of the title and the title would be awarded to Angle. During the match, Angle put his signature move, the Ankle Lock on Styles, but Styles reversed it and used the Ankle Lock on Angle which resulted in the "Screwjob" when referee Earl Hebner called for the bell although Angle did not submit, similar to The Montreal Screwjob.[8] On the January 28 episode of Impact! Earl confessed to screwing Bret Hart and Kurt Angle for the money. Hulk Hogan then suspended him indefinitely.[9] On the March 8 Monday night edition of Impact! Hogan decided to give Hebner a second chance and had him referee the main event of the evening, a tag team match, where Hogan and Abyss faced A.J. Styles and Ric Flair.[10]

In May 2012, Hebner signed a contract extension with TNA, which would keep him with the promotion through 2013.[11] In July 2012, Hebner started a romance storyline with Madison Rayne, as part of which, he started helping her win matches,[12][13] including one for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship on August 12 at Hardcore Justice.[14] In response to this situation, Knockouts Executive Brooke Hogan announced that Hebner would no longer referee the Knockouts matches. On April 17, 2014, Hebner was reinstated as Knockouts referee, when Madison Rayne defeated Velvet Sky in a Street Fight.[15] On June 19, 2014, Hebner was involved in the TNA World Heavyweight Championship bout between Kenny King and Eric Young, but after King's loss, MVP fired Hebner and made him get rid of his uniform, to the disgust of his son, Brian, but was reinstated by the new Executive Chief of Wrestling Operations, Kurt Angle after MVP was relieved of his duties by Board of Directors.

On September 14, 2015, it was announced that Hebner would be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame class of 2015.[16] On November 3, 2017, it was reported both Hebner and his son, Brian, had parted ways with Impact Wrestling.[17]

Independent circuit (2018–2019)

[edit]

On July 7, 2018, Hebner refereed what was advertised as his final event at Ring Wars Carolina, which also saw the refereeing debut of his daughter, Katie.[18]

On September 1, 2018, Hebner refereed All In, and was part of the match between Nick Aldis and Cody Rhodes for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Hebner refereed NWA 70th Anniversary Show in Nashville, Tennessee, and was part of the main event match between Nick Aldis and Cody Rhodes for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

On February 16, 2019, Hebner refereed at All Star Wrestling's Justice in the main event between Sharp Dressed Man Lawrence and the debuting Brian Snyder in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Near the end of the match, Snyder put Lawrence in the crossface, Lawrence's finishing hold, as Hebner called for the bell, even though Lawrence never gave up. The finish was very similar to the Montreal Screwjob.

All Elite Wrestling (2019–2021)

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In 2019, Hebner, along with a number of other referees, joined All Elite Wrestling. He officiated a limited number of AEW events, primarily AEW pay-per-views and selected episodes of AEW Dynamite. Hebner then went on a one-year officiating hiatus that ended in 2022 when he returned to Impact Wrestling.

Return to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2022–present)

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Hebner made his return to IMPACT Wrestling after 5 years away from the company at Slammiversary (2022) to count the 1–2–3 to give the Impact Originals the win against Honor No More. He returned again at Slammiversary (2024) in Montreal as a referee in X-Division champion Mustafa Ali's pocket, in reference to Hebner's role in the Montreal Screwjob, but this time refused to call the match against challenger Mike Bailey while Ali had him locked in the sharpshooter, and ultimately called the match fair when Ali submitted to a sharpshooter from Bailey.

Personal life

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Hebner was married twice, he was first married to Carol Ann Kettner from 1969 to 1977. He later married Susan Ann Green, the marriage lasted from 1978 to 2000.

Hebner's son Brian Hebner is also a professional wrestling referee (retired in June 2022) before becoming a professional wrestling podcaster with Jim Korderas, while his daughter Katie made a cameo appearance with TNA in 2008 as "Katie Kim", the sister of Gail Kim. Hebner's identical twin brother, Dave, was also a wrestling referee as well as a promoter.

Hebner played himself in the episode "Sixteen Candles and Four-Hundred Pound Men" of Boy Meets World. Stock footage of one of his WWF matches was also featured in the motion picture Encino Man.

In July 2016, Hebner was named part of a class action lawsuit filed against WWE which alleged that performers incurred "long term neurological injuries" and that the company "routinely failed to care" for them and "fraudulently misrepresented and concealed" the nature and extent of those injuries. The suit was litigated by attorney Konstantine Kyros, who has been involved in a number of other lawsuits against WWE, primarily over chronic traumatic encephalopathy, an issue that has risen to the forefront of sports-related injuries, especially after the Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide.[19] In September 2018, US District Judge Vanessa Lynne Bryant dismissed the lawsuit.[20]

Awards and accomplishments

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Earl Hebner

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Earl William Hebner (born May 17, 1949) is an American referee renowned for his extensive career officiating high-profile matches across major promotions, particularly as the senior referee for from 1988 to 2005. Hebner began his wrestling career in 1977 with in the , initially working as part of the ring crew before transitioning to refereeing duties. He joined in 1988, quickly becoming one of its most recognizable officials, often involved in pivotal storylines alongside his identical twin brother, , who was also a referee. Throughout his WWE tenure, Hebner officiated landmark events, including the iconic WrestleMania III main event between and , and the infamous 1997 known as the , where he rang the bell prematurely to end Bret Hart's reign amid real backstage tensions. His career extended beyond WWE; after being released in 2005 for reportedly selling WWE merchandise without permission, along with his brother due to their involvement in the incident, he served as head referee for (TNA, known as Impact Wrestling from 2017 to 2024) from 2006 to 2017. In 2019, Hebner briefly joined (AEW) on a limited basis, primarily for events, though by 2025 he was no longer actively refereeing full-time but offered mentorship to younger officials. Hebner returned to TNA in 2022, continuing to officiate key matches as of 2025. Hebner's legacy is cemented by his role in shaping wrestling's dramatic narratives, his autobiography Earl Hebner: The Official Story (2023), and his enduring status as one of the most influential figures in officiating.

Early life

Childhood and family

Earl William Hebner was born on May 17, 1949, in . He grew up in a working-class family on the outskirts of Richmond, where he developed a close bond with his identical twin brother, , during their childhood; the two often engaged in playful mischief together, forging a lifelong sibling connection that would later influence their parallel careers in . Hebner married Carol Ann Kettner on August 29, 1969, with whom he had one child before their divorce on October 13, 1977. He later married Susan Ann Green on June 10, 1978; the couple had a , Katie Hebner, and remained together until their divorce on March 29, 2000. Hebner's son from his first marriage, Brian Hebner, followed in his father's footsteps as a . Dave Hebner, Earl's twin, also pursued a career as a wrestling , notably in the World Wrestling Federation, and the brothers occasionally appeared together in storylines that highlighted their familial resemblance. Dave passed away on June 17, 2022.

Entry into professional wrestling

Hebner, a native of , first became involved in in the mid-1970s through local promotions under the (NWA). He initially worked as part of the ring crew, assisting with setup and teardown for events at venues like the Richmond Fairgrounds, facilitated by his relationship with local promoter Joe Murnick. This entry-level role allowed him to observe matches up close and build connections with wrestlers and officials in the Mid-Atlantic territory. By 1977, Hebner had transitioned into refereeing for , the dominant NWA affiliate in the and . His early assignments came about somewhat serendipitously; in one account, a promoter—likely Murnick—asked him to fill in after providing basic guidance to "listen" to the action in the ring.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (1977–1988)

Earl Hebner entered the industry in 1977 in his hometown of , where he initially worked concessions at events held at the old state fairgrounds on Strawberry Hill. That same year, local promoter Joe Murray provided him with his first opportunity as a , allowing Hebner to learn the role through hands-on observation and participation in matches. Hebner quickly advanced to officiating for Jim Crockett Promotions, a key territory in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he served as a referee for much of the 1980s amid the promotion's period of expansion and eventual challenges. He honed his skills under the guidance of veteran referee Tommy Young, who had been in the business since 1971, emphasizing the nuances of maintaining match flow and impartiality in high-stakes bouts. Notable among his assignments was refereeing the intense "I Quit" steel cage match between Tully Blanchard and Magnum T. A. at Starrcade 1985, a pivotal event that highlighted the promotion's growing national profile. By 1988, as faced financial difficulties, Hebner transitioned to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), recruited through the influence of George Scott, a former booker for Crockett who had moved to the WWF. This shift propelled him from regional territories to the forefront of mainstream wrestling entertainment.

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1988–2005)

Earl Hebner joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1988 after being recommended by George Scott, a former booker for who had recently moved to the WWF. His debut came on the February 5, 1988, episode of The Main Event, where he officiated the WWF Championship match between champion and challenger at the in , . This match was part of a scripted controversy involving Hebner's identical twin brother, , who was the assigned referee but was locked in a closet by ; Earl substituted without the WWF's on-air acknowledgment, counting the three-count as André pinned to win the title. The angle marked Hebner's immediate involvement in a high-profile storyline and established him as a key on-screen official. During his early years in the WWF, Hebner quickly rose to become one of the promotion's senior referees, officiating numerous marquee matches across television and events. He was frequently assigned to world title bouts, including Hulk Hogan's defenses and the transition to new champions like and . By the early 1990s, Hebner had become synonymous with major WWF happenings, such as the 1992 and WrestleMania VIII main event between Savage and . His role extended beyond neutral officiating; he participated in storylines, including a 1991 where he was portrayed as biased toward heels, leading to on-screen confrontations with babyfaces like . Hebner's visibility increased with the WWF's expansion, as he traveled extensively on the circuit and appeared in over 100 events during his tenure. One of the most infamous moments of Hebner's career occurred on November 9, 1997, at Survivor Series in Montreal, Quebec, during the WWF Championship match between champion Bret Hart and challenger Shawn Michaels. In what became known as the Montreal Screwjob, Hebner—under direct instructions from WWF owner Vince McMahon—rang the bell prematurely while Hart was locked in Michaels' Sharpshooter submission hold, despite Hart not submitting verbally, awarding the title to Michaels and effectively ending Hart's WWF run amid his impending departure to WCW. The incident, planned without Hart's knowledge, sparked immediate backstage chaos, with Hart spitting in Hebner's face and destroying equipment; Hebner later described the emotional toll, including strained relations with Hart that lasted years until reconciliation in 2023. This event solidified Hebner's reputation as a pivotal figure in WWF history, though it drew criticism for compromising the illusion of wrestling's legitimacy. Hebner's WWF tenure continued through the Attitude Era and the company's rebranding to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2002, where he refereed iconic matches like The Rock versus Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania X-Seven and Brock Lesnar's title win over The Rock at SummerSlam 2002. He occasionally stepped into the ring for non-competitive angles, such as a 2000 SmackDown tag team match where he teamed with The Rock to defeat Raven and D-Von Dudley. By 2005, as one of WWE's highest-paid referees, Hebner was released alongside his brother Dave amid cost-cutting measures, contrary to rumors of unauthorized merchandise sales. Hebner refuted the merchandise claim in interviews, stating the decision stemmed from WWE's efforts to reduce payroll for veteran staff. His 17-year run ended without fanfare, but his contributions to WWE's golden eras left a lasting legacy as the promotion's most recognizable referee.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling/Impact Wrestling (2006–2017)

Hebner joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in early 2006, debuting as a referee at the company's Against All Odds pay-per-view event on February 12, where he officiated the NWA World Heavyweight Championship match between Jeff Jarrett and Christian Cage. As a veteran official with prior experience in major promotions, Hebner quickly assumed the role of senior referee, overseeing match officiating and managing TNA's roster of referees, including his son Brian Hebner. In this capacity, he worked hundreds of matches across TNA's weekly television shows, pay-per-views, and live events, contributing to the promotion's signature high-energy style during its expansion in the mid-2000s. Throughout his tenure, Hebner occasionally stepped into storylines, blending his authoritative on-screen persona with scripted angles that highlighted his longevity in the industry. For instance, in September 2006, he participated in a house show match against , pinning her in a non-title bout as part of TNA's outreach events. Later, in 2007, he faced his son in a hair vs. hair match at a TNA/UWF crossover event, with serving as special referee; emerged victorious, leading to Hebner's head being shaved in a comedic yet familial storyline moment. Another notable involvement came in November 2013, when attacked and defeated Hebner in a squash match on an episode of TNA Impact Wrestling, furthering EC3's heel persona by targeting respected veterans. These appearances underscored Hebner's versatility, allowing him to engage fans beyond traditional referee duties while maintaining his status as a neutral authority figure in championship contests, such as those involving stars like A.J. Styles, , and . Hebner's contributions were formally recognized on October 3, 2015, when he was inducted into the during a live event at the Salem Civic Center in , just before the Bound for Glory pay-per-view. The ceremony, conducted by musician and TNA executive , celebrated Hebner's over a decade of service and his role in elevating the promotion's officiating standards during its peak popularity years. This honor marked him as the first active referee inducted into the , reflecting his influence on the company's product amid its transition to a global touring schedule and the rebranding to Impact Wrestling in 2017. Hebner's time with the promotion concluded in late 2017 amid financial restructuring at Impact Wrestling. Following significant pay cuts imposed on the referee roster—reportedly reducing his compensation by more than half—he parted ways with the company in November, alongside colleagues Brian Stiffler and Robert King. Impact's decision to utilize local referees for television tapings, such as the Bound for Glory cycle, was cited as a cost-saving measure that directly led to his exit after 11 years. Despite the abrupt end, Hebner reflected positively on his TNA run in subsequent interviews, crediting it with revitalizing his career post-WWE and providing opportunities to work with a new generation of talent.

Independent circuit and All Elite Wrestling (2018–2021)

After departing from Impact Wrestling in late 2017, Earl Hebner transitioned to the independent wrestling circuit in 2018, officiating matches for various promotions. On July 7, 2018, he refereed bouts at Ring Wars Carolina's "Scars & Stripes" event in Kannapolis, North Carolina, which was promoted as his retirement match; during the show, his daughter Katie made her officiating debut, taking over after Hebner was "knocked down" in a women's match storyline. Hebner continued on the independents, highlighted by his role at the All In pay-per-view on September 1, 2018, in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where he served as the referee for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Nick Aldis. In that bout, Hebner administered the three-count after Rhodes' Cross Rhodes finisher, securing the victory and title change, and later presented the championship belt to the new champion in a ceremonial moment. This appearance at the sold-out Sears Centre Arena, organized by Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks as a major independent spectacle, underscored Hebner's enduring prestige in the industry. Hebner's independent work extended into early 2019, including events up to February 16, before he shifted focus to a major promotion. In May 2019, (AEW) announced Hebner's signing as part of its initial referee roster, alongside , Bryce Remsburg, and Rick Knox, positioning him as a veteran presence for the upstart company ahead of its debut on WarnerMedia's TNT network. During his AEW tenure from mid-2019 to early 2021, Hebner officiated a select number of , leveraging his from over four decades in wrestling to maintain fast-paced counts and ring awareness despite his 70 by 2019. He expressed willingness to mentor younger AEW officials, offering to train them on timing and positioning, but reported receiving no follow-up from the promotion. His appearances were limited, reflecting accommodations for his physical condition, and his contract expired in early 2021, leading to a break from active refereeing. This period marked Hebner's final full-time role with a national promotion before returning to independents and Impact Wrestling.

Return to TNA Wrestling (2022–2025)

In June 2022, Earl Hebner made a surprise return to Impact Wrestling (later rebranded as TNA Wrestling) after a five-year absence, appearing at the event on June 19 in . During the multi-person tag team match pitting the Impact Originals against , referee Brian Hebner was knocked down amid the chaos, prompting Earl Hebner to enter the ring and deliver the three-count for the Originals' victory, including a notable pinfall on Eddie Edwards. This appearance marked Hebner's re-entry as a senior referee for the promotion, where he had previously worked from 2006 to 2017. Following his return, Hebner resumed officiating matches on Impact's weekly programming and major events, leveraging his veteran status to handle high-stakes encounters. His role emphasized continuity with TNA's history, often involving dramatic interventions that highlighted his legacy from the era. In 2024, at in , , Hebner refereed the X Division Championship match between Mike Bailey and , where Ali urged him to execute a screwjob similar to but Hebner refused, counting a legitimate three-count for Bailey's retention. This moment symbolized redemption for Hebner in the city tied to his controversial past. Hebner continued as a senior official through early 2025, with appearances on episodes and live events, such as a January 2025 segment where he narrowly avoided injury during in-ring action. He retired from full-time refereeing later that year, underscoring his enduring influence in the industry.

Post-retirement activities

Autobiography and media appearances

In 2023, Earl Hebner co-authored his autobiography, Earl Hebner: The Official Story, with Kenny Casanova, published by Walking on Hot Waffles Publishers. The 440-page book chronicles Hebner's journey from ring crew work in the to becoming one of professional wrestling's most iconic referees, detailing his experiences in promotions like the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now ) and (TNA). It includes behind-the-scenes anecdotes from major events, such as the , and personal reflections on his career challenges, including his 2005 firing from . The audiobook version, narrated by Hebner, was released the same year and has received positive reviews for its candid insights, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 on Audible. Hebner has made numerous media appearances, primarily through interviews and wrestling documentaries that highlight his refereeing legacy. In 2019, he featured prominently in Vice TV's Dark Side of the Ring episode on the Montreal Screwjob, where he recounted his role in the controversial 1997 WWF event involving Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, and appeared in the follow-up segment "Beyond the Ring: Earl and Bret Making Up," discussing his reconciliation with Hart. He has also guested on podcasts, including the 2023 episode of Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw on the WWE Network, where he shared stories from his WWF tenure, and Refin' It Up in the same year, focusing on his early National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) days. On television, Hebner has made cameo appearances in wrestling programming, such as refereeing matches on All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) Dynamite in 2019 and the NWA's 70th Anniversary Show in 2018. In 2020, he appeared on the podcast-style series Talk'n Shop. More recently, in August 2025, Hebner reflected on his career in a WTVR CBS 6 interview, discussing his Richmond, Virginia, roots and local wrestling beginnings. In August 2025, Hebner appeared at Geek'd Con in Shreveport, Louisiana. In November 2025, he was featured in events with JCW, meeting tag team champions. He has conducted shoot interviews, including a joint session with his twin brother Dave Hebner for RF Video, covering career highlights and the Montreal Screwjob in depth. These appearances underscore Hebner's enduring influence, often emphasizing his quick-count decisions and involvement in iconic matches like Hulk Hogan vs. André the Giant at WrestleMania III.

Mentorship and referee training

Following his extensive career officiating thousands of matches across major promotions, Earl Hebner has contributed to the development of new referees through informal mentorship and targeted training opportunities. He trained his son, Brian Hebner, who debuted as a professional wrestling referee in 2000 and went on to officiate for WWE, TNA/Impact Wrestling, and other promotions before retiring from full-time refereeing in 2022. In 2012, Hebner and his son hosted "The Hebner Experience," a seminar at the Ring Wars Carolina in . The two-hour session, priced at $30, focused on industry standards for officiating, drawing from their combined experience in over 12,000 and TNA title matches, and emphasized practical skills for aspiring referees. Hebner has repeatedly offered his expertise to train referees in other promotions, particularly (AEW). In a 2019 , he expressed willingness to instruct AEW officials in dressing rooms, critiquing aspects like slow ten-counts and excessive interference in tag matches while acknowledging their overall solid performance. Despite follow-up offers in subsequent years, including in early 2025, AEW did not respond to his proposals. Hebner's mentorship extends to educational media, where he shares insights on refereeing fundamentals. He features prominently in the May 2025 documentary The Ref Didn't See It!, directed by Colin Hunter, which was released on May 12, 2025, and follows Hunter's journey training to become an independent referee. In the film, Hebner advises on continuous learning, stating he still gains new knowledge with every match and urging trainees to adopt the same .

Personal life

Family and relationships

Earl Hebner was born into a working-class family in Richmond, Virginia, on May 17, 1949, alongside his identical twin brother, Dave Hebner, with whom he shared a close bond throughout their lives. The brothers both pursued careers in professional wrestling, with Dave serving as a referee and agent in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), often appearing alongside Earl in storylines, including the famous 1988 twin swap angle involving Hulk Hogan and André the Giant. Dave Hebner passed away on June 17, 2022, at the age of 73, prompting Earl to publicly mourn the loss of his lifelong partner and road companion. Hebner has been married twice. His first marriage was to Carol Ann Kettner on August 29, 1969, which ended in divorce on October 13, 1977; the couple had one child together. He married Susan Ann Green on June 10, 1978, and this union lasted until their divorce on March 29, 2000. No public information is available regarding subsequent marriages or long-term relationships after 2000. Hebner is the father of two children: son Brian Hebner and daughter Hebner. Brian followed in his father's footsteps as a referee, working for on SmackDown in the 2000s before transitioning to other promotions. has worked in the wrestling industry, including training under in 2021 before suffering a back injury; as of October 2025, she serves as a for (AEW).

Health and residence

Hebner experienced a severe health scare in March 1998, when he suffered a brain aneurysm the night before in , . While socializing with wrestlers including , he suddenly collapsed and was rushed to New England Medical Center, where emergency surgery saved his life; he credits the medical team for his survival. Despite the ordeal, Hebner recovered sufficiently to return to his referee duties shortly thereafter, though he has occasionally reflected on the incident as a near-fatal event in his career. No major health issues have been publicly reported for Hebner in recent years. At age 76 as of November 2025, he maintains good health relative to his age. Born and raised in , Hebner has maintained strong ties to his home state throughout his life. He currently resides in , a approximately 40 miles east of Richmond, where he has lived for nearly three decades.

Honors and recognition

Hall of Fame inductions

In 2015, Earl Hebner was inducted into the in recognition of his extensive service as the promotion's senior from 2006 to 2017, where he officiated numerous high-profile and contributed to the overall production and storytelling in the ring, making him the first inducted into the Hall of Fame of any major promotion. This accolade underscored his pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and excitement of TNA events during a formative period for the company. The induction was announced on September 14, 2015, positioning Hebner as the sixth member of the class, alongside prominent figures such as Sting, , Bully Ray, , and . His official ceremony occurred on October 3, 2015, at a live event on the Road to Bound For Glory Tour in , though the proceedings were not televised. During his TNA tenure, Hebner was known for his consistent presence in major storylines, including championship bouts and faction rivalries, which helped solidify his reputation as a reliable and influential official in the industry.

Other awards and tributes

Hebner has been recognized for his pioneering role in wrestling media and entertainment. In 2000, he became the first to be included as a playable character in the video game WWF No Mercy, developed by and AKI Corporation, underscoring his prominence and cultural impact within the industry. Various wrestling publications have paid tribute to Hebner's career through rankings and features highlighting his influence. For instance, he has been ranked among the top referees in history for officiating landmark matches, including main events and the infamous at 1997.

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