Tim White
Born
Timothy Rhys White

(1954-03-25)March 25, 1954
Cumberland, Rhode Island, U.S.
DiedJune 19, 2022(2022-06-19) (aged 68)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
OccupationProfessional wrestling referee
Years active1985–2009

Timothy Rhys White (March 25, 1954 – June 19, 2022) was an American professional wrestling referee. He worked with the World Wrestling Entertainment as a producer on the SmackDown! brand. During the 1980s and 1990s, White worked as André the Giant's assistant in addition to his referee duties.[1]

Professional wrestling career

Referee

White started as a part-time referee in 1985 while working as André the Giant's agent. In 1993 shortly after Andre's death, White became a full-time referee appearing more frequently on pay-per-views and WWF television tapings. Bret Hart has reported that by 1995, White was providing similar services for Shawn Michaels as he had for André.[2]

On June 28, 1998, White was the referee for the legendary Hell in a Cell match between Mankind and The Undertaker at King of the Ring. After Mankind fell through the top of the cell and landed hard in the ring, White, fearful that Mick Foley was seriously injured and needed immediate medical attention, came close to declaring the match over at that point, but Foley begged him not to. The match continued and is now remembered as one of the most legendary matches in wrestling history.

In 2002, White suffered a shoulder injury during a Hell in a Cell match between Triple H and Chris Jericho at Judgment Day.[3] At WrestleMania XX in 2004, White returned to referee the match between Chris Jericho and Christian; he re-injured his shoulder during the final three count of the match, forcing him to end his referee career.

Lunchtime Suicide

On December 18, 2005, White made a controversial on-screen appearance at the Armageddon pay-per-view.[4] In a segment, a "despondent" White was interviewed by SmackDown! reporter Josh Mathews inside the bar he owned, the Friendly Tap in Cumberland, Rhode Island.[4] He was depicted drinking large amounts of alcohol, claiming that the aforementioned Hell in a Cell match "ruined his life."[4] He then proceeded to take a shotgun out from under the bar and, off-screen, fired the gun, apparently intending to kill himself. This sketch was considered distasteful, in part due to the death of Eddie Guerrero a month earlier.[4]

On January 6, 2006, it was revealed that White had shot his foot accidentally during the "ordeal". But when asked by Mathews about his new year's resolutions, he proceeded to scarf down a box full of rat poison, and subsequently fell over in his chair. This segment was leaked onto the internet several days earlier and included was the uncut footage of the post-segment which included the producers as well as White goofing around using some mildly foul language. On January 15, 2006, White was interviewed by Mathews again, but this time he tried to hang himself; the rope broke. For weeks afterward, WWE's official website uploaded a new video showing Mathews trying to interview White who is about to die by suicide each week in a different way. This became a regular segment on WWE's website and was given the name of Lunchtime Suicide, uploaded every Thursday at lunchtime. Over a dozen sketches were aired, and the segments were widely derided as insensitive and of poor taste.[5]

On April 6, 2006, WWE.com uploaded a video where White did not attempt to die by suicide. In fact, he invited Mathews to a party at the Friendly Tap to take place the following week. The next week, Mathews attended the party, and ended up getting shot by White.

Post-WWE

White was released from WWE on January 9, 2009, ending his 24-year tenure with the company.[3] White provided security for WWE superstars during appearances and autograph signings. On April 10, 2018 White appeared in numerous interviews in the HBO documentary André the Giant. He also appeared on WWE's Most Wanted Treasures in June 2021. On March 29, 2023, it was announced he will be the 2023 recipient of the Warrior Award and, as such, will be the first referee inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.[6]

Death

On June 19, 2022, White died from health issues at the age of 68.[7]

Awards and accomplishments

References

  1. ↑ Mooneyham, Mike (2009-01-11). "Steroids report puts heat on wrestling business". The Post and Courier. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  2. ↑ Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling Bret Hart, Ebury Publishing 2009
  3. 1 2 Csonka, Larry (January 9, 2009). "WWE Releases Tim White and Kevin Thorn". 411mania. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Sokol, Chris (December 19, 2005). "Taker-Orton rises above Armageddon". SLAM! Wrestling. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  5. ↑ "Tim White's Lunchtime Suicide Skits Are Some Of The Worst In WWE History". TheSportster. 23 November 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "THE FINAL WWE HALL OF FAME 2023 INDUCTEE IS... | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com.
  7. ↑ Defelice, Robert; Ross Sapp, Sean (June 19, 2022). "Former WWE Referee Tim White Passes Away At Age 68". Fightful. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
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