Post by Pennyroyal_Tea (admin) on Nov 26, 2005 19:23:45 GMT -5
Earl Hebner did a Q&A today as part of the Fanslam convention in Totowa. New Jersey.
Former WWE referee Earl Hebner did a Q&A today at the Fanslam convention in New Jersey. Hebner announced that he and his brother Dave are writing a book, so there are some things he can't answer right now but he will be as truthful as he can. He said that when his book is published, the truth about a lot of things will come out.
The Montreal screwjob was brought up. Hebner said the bell was going to ring regardless of what he did, even if he left the ring. When asked about Hart having the camera crew there that day being suspicious, he said Hart knew nothing that day. Hebner said Vince screwed Bret but he had a little to do with it. He said he doesn't know who was in on it beyond himself and Vince and he did what he had to do.
When asked about breaking in, he said he and Dave broke in doing concessions for the NWA in Virginia. He said Tommy Young broke him in and said Young was the best referee ever.
When asked about guys hard to work with, he said sometimes there were hard headed guys but he didn't have a problem with them. He said he's had injuries everywhere and the last year was the worst and this year's Wrestlemania would have been his last due to Father Time catching up to him.
When asked about WWE, he said Vince McMahon gives everybody the same chance to go from a nobody to a star. When asked about giving away info about the business, he said anyone who stooges deserves to be fired because there's no reason to watch if you know what's going on.
When asked about great matches in the NWA, Hebner said his first match with Ric Flair, he was nervous as hell and still screwed it up, as it was a best of three falls match and he counted Flair down when he wasn't supposed to.
When asked about the toughest match to referee, he said the Owen Hart vs. Steve Austin bout when Austin broke his neck and the HHH vs. Angle match where Angle was Pedigreed through a table and was out.
When asked about Owen Hart, he said its a shame when anyone gets hurt or dies in the business. When asked about keeping the show going, he said it was a good thing to keep your mind off it as opposed to going back to the bar and getting drunk and depressed. He said he was happy it was done, personally. Hebner said if something happened to a McMahon, knowing Vince, he would keep the show going. He said the business is like a family and that's what the family needed.
When asked about putting ideas into matches, Earl said he's given suggestions for a lot of matches. When asked about genuine dislike between guys, he told the story of Rick Rude legitimately kicking the crap out of the Ultimate Warrior and chasing him around.
When asked about the evil twin referee angle when Hulk Hogan lost the WWF title to Andre the Giant. He said it was one of the best angles ever and he was really nervous. He said he had a half inch of bone taken out of his rotator cuff because when he was tossed from the ring, Virgil and Ted DiBiase didn't catch him right. He said that he doesn't know how it never got out and buried that today people in the office would stooge it to the Internet.
When asked about referees now using earpieces, he said it was better using them. Hebner said it was his idea as a way to tighten up the TV and PPV shows and to know when they were on commercial. He said the downside is its harder to take bumps with the box in your pocket and the earpiece in your ear.
When asked who was the best WWE worker, Hebner said Undertaker, Steve Austin, and HHH but said it's hard to pinpoint just one name.
When asked about Jim Ross, he said his removal was "brutal" and the company has changed in the last year. He said that when he started it was like a family and he could talk to Vince McMahon anytime just like he's talking to everyone in the room, but now its different with lots of people in charge of different things. He said there are a lot of unhappy people there but they need jobs.
When asked about steroids, he said it is out of hand in all sports. He said you can see who's using them from their growth over time. He said he doesn't know if the business will ever adhere to standards.
When asked about Nick Patrick, he shot down a rumor there were ever issues between the two. He said they did an angle when Patrick came to WWE but there was no heat. He praised Tim White as well, noting he had surgery 2 weeks ago because of problems with his arm stemming from the Hell in the Cell injury that ended his career as a referee.
When asked when storylines and angles are decided, Hebner said things change anywhere from 6 hours before the show starts and can until they are in the ring.
When asked about the WCW Invasion, he said there might have been individuals who didn't like others but they all wanted to make money on the angle.
When asked about good friends, Hebner praised Ric Flair and also said Undertaker and Steve Austin. He said Flair loves what he does and is wrestling while he feels he's in shape.
When asked about the current direction, he said TNA has more wrestling then you do on a WWE show. He said the business will get worse if WWE stays on their current road.
When asked about Steve Austin, he said he didn't think Austin can do a match where he could end up hurting his neck and it's not worth it to chance a freak accident.
When asked about guys conveying they were hurt, he told a story of Tatanka slamming an enhancement guy and his arm breaking. He says he can tell a lot of injuries when they happen because he's so used to working with guys. He said if you are hurt why keep going and chance hurting yourself more. When asked about worst injury, he brought up Droz's injury and said the business has moved away from things that could impact the neck.
When asked about ribbers, he said Owen Hart could bring you up when you were having the worst day of your life and told a story about Hart tricking a sound guy into playing Hulk Hogan's music when he wasn't supposed to.
When asked about road stories, he said he traveled with Ric Flair and couldn't keep up with Flair's lifestyle.
When the You Screwed Bret chants are brought up, he admitted to liking them and joked he was able to keep his heat after all this time.
On his own, the close out the session, Hebner brought up his firing from WWE and said the stories that are out there are lies and the truth will come out in his book. He said there's a change in WWE with the new regime under Johnny Ace. He said he doesn't want to go back in the business 24/7 at this point as he's been able to enjoy life home with his kids. He said doing things on the weekend and still being home every Sunday is great. He noted never say never in the business as you never know who will be back. He praised Vince McMahon as a great guy.
credit: prowrestling.com
Former WWE referee Earl Hebner did a Q&A today at the Fanslam convention in New Jersey. Hebner announced that he and his brother Dave are writing a book, so there are some things he can't answer right now but he will be as truthful as he can. He said that when his book is published, the truth about a lot of things will come out.
The Montreal screwjob was brought up. Hebner said the bell was going to ring regardless of what he did, even if he left the ring. When asked about Hart having the camera crew there that day being suspicious, he said Hart knew nothing that day. Hebner said Vince screwed Bret but he had a little to do with it. He said he doesn't know who was in on it beyond himself and Vince and he did what he had to do.
When asked about breaking in, he said he and Dave broke in doing concessions for the NWA in Virginia. He said Tommy Young broke him in and said Young was the best referee ever.
When asked about guys hard to work with, he said sometimes there were hard headed guys but he didn't have a problem with them. He said he's had injuries everywhere and the last year was the worst and this year's Wrestlemania would have been his last due to Father Time catching up to him.
When asked about WWE, he said Vince McMahon gives everybody the same chance to go from a nobody to a star. When asked about giving away info about the business, he said anyone who stooges deserves to be fired because there's no reason to watch if you know what's going on.
When asked about great matches in the NWA, Hebner said his first match with Ric Flair, he was nervous as hell and still screwed it up, as it was a best of three falls match and he counted Flair down when he wasn't supposed to.
When asked about the toughest match to referee, he said the Owen Hart vs. Steve Austin bout when Austin broke his neck and the HHH vs. Angle match where Angle was Pedigreed through a table and was out.
When asked about Owen Hart, he said its a shame when anyone gets hurt or dies in the business. When asked about keeping the show going, he said it was a good thing to keep your mind off it as opposed to going back to the bar and getting drunk and depressed. He said he was happy it was done, personally. Hebner said if something happened to a McMahon, knowing Vince, he would keep the show going. He said the business is like a family and that's what the family needed.
When asked about putting ideas into matches, Earl said he's given suggestions for a lot of matches. When asked about genuine dislike between guys, he told the story of Rick Rude legitimately kicking the crap out of the Ultimate Warrior and chasing him around.
When asked about the evil twin referee angle when Hulk Hogan lost the WWF title to Andre the Giant. He said it was one of the best angles ever and he was really nervous. He said he had a half inch of bone taken out of his rotator cuff because when he was tossed from the ring, Virgil and Ted DiBiase didn't catch him right. He said that he doesn't know how it never got out and buried that today people in the office would stooge it to the Internet.
When asked about referees now using earpieces, he said it was better using them. Hebner said it was his idea as a way to tighten up the TV and PPV shows and to know when they were on commercial. He said the downside is its harder to take bumps with the box in your pocket and the earpiece in your ear.
When asked who was the best WWE worker, Hebner said Undertaker, Steve Austin, and HHH but said it's hard to pinpoint just one name.
When asked about Jim Ross, he said his removal was "brutal" and the company has changed in the last year. He said that when he started it was like a family and he could talk to Vince McMahon anytime just like he's talking to everyone in the room, but now its different with lots of people in charge of different things. He said there are a lot of unhappy people there but they need jobs.
When asked about steroids, he said it is out of hand in all sports. He said you can see who's using them from their growth over time. He said he doesn't know if the business will ever adhere to standards.
When asked about Nick Patrick, he shot down a rumor there were ever issues between the two. He said they did an angle when Patrick came to WWE but there was no heat. He praised Tim White as well, noting he had surgery 2 weeks ago because of problems with his arm stemming from the Hell in the Cell injury that ended his career as a referee.
When asked when storylines and angles are decided, Hebner said things change anywhere from 6 hours before the show starts and can until they are in the ring.
When asked about the WCW Invasion, he said there might have been individuals who didn't like others but they all wanted to make money on the angle.
When asked about good friends, Hebner praised Ric Flair and also said Undertaker and Steve Austin. He said Flair loves what he does and is wrestling while he feels he's in shape.
When asked about the current direction, he said TNA has more wrestling then you do on a WWE show. He said the business will get worse if WWE stays on their current road.
When asked about Steve Austin, he said he didn't think Austin can do a match where he could end up hurting his neck and it's not worth it to chance a freak accident.
When asked about guys conveying they were hurt, he told a story of Tatanka slamming an enhancement guy and his arm breaking. He says he can tell a lot of injuries when they happen because he's so used to working with guys. He said if you are hurt why keep going and chance hurting yourself more. When asked about worst injury, he brought up Droz's injury and said the business has moved away from things that could impact the neck.
When asked about ribbers, he said Owen Hart could bring you up when you were having the worst day of your life and told a story about Hart tricking a sound guy into playing Hulk Hogan's music when he wasn't supposed to.
When asked about road stories, he said he traveled with Ric Flair and couldn't keep up with Flair's lifestyle.
When the You Screwed Bret chants are brought up, he admitted to liking them and joked he was able to keep his heat after all this time.
On his own, the close out the session, Hebner brought up his firing from WWE and said the stories that are out there are lies and the truth will come out in his book. He said there's a change in WWE with the new regime under Johnny Ace. He said he doesn't want to go back in the business 24/7 at this point as he's been able to enjoy life home with his kids. He said doing things on the weekend and still being home every Sunday is great. He noted never say never in the business as you never know who will be back. He praised Vince McMahon as a great guy.
credit: prowrestling.com