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Randy Anderson
Randy Anderson
Randy Anderson
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Randall "Pee Wee" Anderson (July 17, 1959 – May 5, 2002) was an American professional wrestling referee and amateur wrestler who worked for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)'s Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling.

Key Information

Professional wrestling career

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Anderson was a childhood friend of Arn Anderson.[1] He started out training for a professional wrestling career with Arn under the tutelage of Ted Allen.[1] Anderson started working as a referee upon his graduation in 1978 in Mid-South Wrestling. He also refereed in Florida Championship Wrestling before arriving in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)'s Jim Crockett Promotions in 1985.[2] He quickly rose up the referee ranks and was the referee for several main event matches. In 1988, when Ted Turner bought Crockett and renamed it World Championship Wrestling, Anderson stayed on. Anderson was the referee in charge of the main event six-man tag match at Bash at the Beach 1996 which saw the heel turn of Hulk Hogan and the formation of the New World Order (nWo).

From 1996 to 1997, Anderson played a role in the "hostile takeover" of WCW by the nWo. He refused to work on the September 23, 1996, episode of Monday Nitro after nWo members took control of the broadcast.[3] Eric Bischoff and the nWo bullied him around. At Souled Out, nWo referee Nick Patrick was bumped and knocked out. Anderson came from the crowd to count the pinfall and award the tag team championship to the Steiner Brothers.[4] Bischoff fired Anderson for interfering, but then decided to allow Anderson to wrestle Patrick to get his job back. Anderson defeated him by using a foreign object, from fellow WCW referee Jimmy Jett. Immediately following this match, Eric Bischoff reversed the decision and fired both Jett and Anderson.[5] According to story line, Anderson was reinstated and officiated his first match after being fired on the March 10, 1997, episode of Nitro. Anderson continued as a referee in WCW until his battle with cancer forced him to retire in 1999.

Personal life

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Anderson was an amateur wrestler in high school, winning a state championship in the 119-lb class.[1]

Death

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Anderson was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 36.[1] He was diagnosed after recognizing his symptoms while reading a medical magazine.[1] Because of a malignant tumor, he had to have his left testicle removed.[1] Anderson died on May 5, 2002, as a result of the testicular cancer. He was 42 years old. Anderson was survived by his wife Kristy, daughter Montana, and son Chase.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Randy Anderson

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Randall Steven "Pee Wee" Anderson (July 17, 1959 – May 5, 2002) was an American referee renowned for his tenure with the (NWA)'s and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Born in , Anderson was a childhood friend of wrestler and began his referee career in 1978 with Mid-South Wrestling, officiating matches there from 1983 to 1985 before joining NWA's in 1985. He continued with WCW after its formation in 1988, serving as a referee for major programs including WCW Monday Nitro and WCW Thunder throughout the 1990s. Anderson was diagnosed with in 1995 at age 36, which led to his firing by WCW executive ; he was reinstated briefly in 1999 during Ric Flair's tenure as on-screen president, incorporating his illness into storylines. He retired in 1999 due to his health and died from the cancer on May 5, 2002, in , at age 42, survived by his wife Kristy and their two children. His short stature earned him the nickname "Pee Wee," making him one of the most recognizable referees of his era.

Early life

Birth and family background

Randy Anderson was born on July 17, 1959, in , . He grew up in a region with a strong wrestling tradition, particularly influenced by the local professional scene in the American South during the mid-20th century. As a child, Anderson formed a close friendship with Martin Lunde, who later became known as the professional wrestler ; the two shared a passion for wrestling from an early age. This connection exposed him to the sport through informal local events. Initially aspiring to wrestle professionally, Anderson trained under , a local promoter and mentor figure who guided many aspiring talents in the area during the .

Amateur wrestling achievements

Randy Anderson excelled in during his high school years in , where he competed in the lightweight divisions and demonstrated exceptional skill and determination. At 119 pounds, he captured the Georgia state championship, a significant achievement that highlighted his technical prowess and agility on the mat. Standing at 5 ft 7 in (170 cm), Anderson's compact build contributed to his effectiveness in the lower weight classes, allowing him to leverage speed and leverage against larger opponents. This smaller stature earned him the enduring nickname "Pee Wee," which originated from his high school wrestling days and reflected both his size and nimble style. Anderson's success in , combined with his close friendship with fellow Georgian Marty Lunde (later known as ), sparked his entry into circles. The two trained together under promoter , initially preparing for in-ring careers, but Anderson's accomplishments on the amateur scene motivated him to pursue opportunities in the industry, ultimately leading him to debut as a in 1978.

Professional wrestling career

Training and debut as referee

Randy Anderson developed an early interest in professional wrestling through his childhood friendship with , with whom he trained under the guidance of veteran wrestler . This training prepared him for entry into the industry following his accomplishments as a state champion amateur wrestler in high school. In 1978, upon completing his training, Anderson transitioned into a refereeing role rather than in-ring performing, debuting in Mid-South Wrestling (later known as the Universal Wrestling Federation). At 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) and 165 lb (75 kg), his compact size and agility suited the demands of officiating fast-paced matches, earning him the ring name "Pee Wee Anderson."

Career in regional promotions

Anderson's tenure in regional promotions began in the early with a referee role in , a prominent southern territory under the umbrella, where he officiated matches and honed his skills in high-stakes environments typical of the territory system. This period allowed him to build foundational experience in managing fast-paced bouts and ensuring fair play amid the physicality of . In 1985, Anderson transitioned to NWA Jim Crockett Promotions, one of the alliance's flagship southern circuits, where he quickly established himself as a dependable for major events and weekly shows across the and beyond. His work in Crockett's promotion involved refereeing title defenses and rivalries that defined the era, contributing to the territory's reputation for intense, story-driven wrestling. Following his initial debut in Mid-South Wrestling, this move marked a significant step in his career trajectory within the NWA network. Throughout his regional career from the late to mid-1980s, Anderson earned respect for his reliability and subtle authority in the ring, often leveraging his diminutive 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) stature—earning him the affectionate "Pee Wee" moniker—to command respect from much larger competitors through precise signaling and unwavering enforcement of rules. Anecdotes from this era highlight how his height became a defining trait, allowing him to navigate chaotic matches with agility while maintaining focus on the action, thereby solidifying his reputation as a who enhanced rather than detracted from the performers.

WCW tenure

Randy Anderson transitioned to (WCW) in 1988, following Ted Turner's acquisition of , under which he had already been working as a . During his WCW tenure, Anderson served as a primary referee, officiating a wide array of television matches and events throughout the . His approach emphasized subtlety and effectiveness, allowing the action to remain the focal point while upholding rules impartially and protecting performers from interference. Anderson continued in this role until 1999, when his recurring testicular cancer necessitated his retirement from active officiating.

Notable events and storylines

One of Randy Anderson's most pivotal roles in WCW storylines occurred at Bash at the Beach 1996, where he officiated the main event six-man tag team match pitting Randy Savage, Sting, and Lex Luger against The Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash) and their unidentified third partner. As the match progressed, Hulk Hogan emerged as the mystery partner, delivering a shocking heel turn by attacking Savage with his signature leg drop, which Anderson counted for the pinfall victory and the formation of the New World Order (nWo). This moment, central to WCW's Monday Night Wars narrative, drew intense fan backlash and marked a turning point in professional wrestling history. Anderson's involvement deepened in the ensuing nWo invasion angle during 1996-1997. After Souled Out 1997, where he controversially entered through the crowd to count a pinfall victory for the Steiner Brothers over the Outsiders (Hall and Nash) for the WCW World Tag Team Championship—bypassing the nWo-aligned referee Nick Patrick—Anderson was storyline-fired by WCW Executive Vice President Eric Bischoff on the January 20, 1997, episode of Monday Nitro for alleged bias against the nWo. He pleaded for reinstatement on the January 27 episode, leading to a referee versus referee match against Patrick on the February 17 Nitro, which Anderson won via brass knuckles provided by fellow referee Jimmy Jett, though Bischoff immediately reversed the decision and upheld the firing. Anderson was finally reinstated on the March 10, 1997, Nitro following a temporary suspension of Bischoff by WCW President James E. Sullivan, allowing Anderson to officiate matches amid ongoing nWo interference. Beyond these, Anderson frequently contributed to major s through his officiating in controversial finishes, enhancing WCW's dramatic tension. For instance, during the August 9, 1997, Road Wild pay-per-view main event for the between Hollywood Hogan and —where Hogan regained the title via pinfall after a chaotic sequence involving nWo interference—Anderson's count drew post-match scrutiny. On the August 18 Nitro, Patrick publicly accused Anderson of a biased call that cost Luger the victory by prematurely signaling the pin, fueling a brief referees' and underscoring Anderson's reputation for impartial yet storyline-impacting decisions in high-stakes nWo-WCW clashes.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Randy Anderson was married to Kristy Anderson, with their union lasting until his death in 2002. The couple resided in , where Anderson had deep roots from his early life. They had two children: a daughter named Montana Anderson and a son named .

Relationships in wrestling

Randy Anderson shared a lifelong friendship with wrestler , having grown up together in , where they bonded over their mutual passion for during their high school years. The two attended wrestling school together under the guidance of veteran wrestler , initially aspiring to become in-ring performers, though Anderson's smaller stature of 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) directed him toward refereeing instead. This early partnership laid the foundation for their entry into the industry, with Anderson securing his first opportunity in Mid-South Wrestling as a referee debuting in 1978, and Arn following as a wrestler under his real name, Marty Lunde, in 1982. Anderson's connection to Arn Anderson proved instrumental in advancing his career, as the friendship provided initial access to regional promotions and facilitated his transition to larger territories. Arn's rising prominence in the wrestling world, particularly after adopting his iconic in 1985, helped open doors for Anderson in , where he joined as a in the mid-1980s. Beyond this key bond, Anderson received mentorship from , whose training emphasized the fundamentals of the business and influenced Anderson's approach to officiating high-stakes matches. Throughout his tenure in (WCW), Anderson cultivated strong camaraderie with the roster, including fellow referees like and Nick Patrick, as well as wrestlers across factions such as the Four Horsemen and the New World Order. His reputation for fairness and quick reflexes earned him respect among peers, leading to assignments in pivotal events that solidified his role within the promotion after its 1988 acquisition by . These industry ties not only sustained Anderson's longevity in WCW until his 1999 retirement but also highlighted the collaborative network that supported referees in navigating the demanding environment of 1990s .

Illness and death

Cancer diagnosis and treatment

In 1995, at the age of 36, Randy Anderson was diagnosed with after recognizing his symptoms from descriptions in a medical magazine. The revealed a malignant tumor, which required surgical removal of his left . Following the , Anderson's health challenges led to a temporary exit from WCW in 1997, when executive fired him in a storyline incorporating his real illness. He was briefly brought back during Ric Flair's tenure in 1999 as part of narratives highlighting his condition, but the cancer's progression caused fatigue and complications that limited his performance. This ultimately forced his full from WCW officiating later that year when the disease resurfaced.

Death and legacy

Randy Anderson passed away on May 5, 2002, in , at the age of 42, due to complications from . Following his death, Anderson's funeral services were held privately, with burial at Rome Memorial Park South in . Tributes poured in from peers in WCW and , honoring his professionalism and resilience during his illness. Anderson is remembered as "Pee Wee" Anderson, a fair and subtle referee who elevated the role through his consistent handling of high-stakes matches, including the pivotal Hulk Hogan heel turn at Bash at the Beach 1996 that launched the New World Order (nWo) storyline. His defiance of the nWo, such as officiating unauthorized matches and even wrestling referee Nick Patrick in 1997 to retain his job, underscored his commitment to impartiality and became defining moments in WCW history. Although he has not been inducted into a formal wrestling hall of fame, Anderson's influence on referee standards—emphasizing discretion and storytelling integration—continues to be noted in wrestling retrospectives and histories.
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