Fan Letter: Dear Charles Robinson, Thank You

Referees don’t get a lot of credit from wrestling fans for the job they do. As fans, we’re so preoccupied that we don’t notice the refs even though they’re pivotal to the performance of the match.

Of course, the wrestlers have the harder job. But the referees help with pacing, calling spots, psychology, and ultimately almost every match in the history of wrestling has been decided by the count or hand of a referee.

However, they are a group of performs that we routinely take advantage of despite having to travel the same schedule and routine as most wrestlers. Of course, there is always the unique ref like Rich Knox. But today, I’d like to give my sincerest thanks to one referee specifically who has been there for my entire life.

Charles Robinson has been a constant in wrestling for over two decades. Of course, for his time in WCW as an impartial referee, but also for his storyline with Ric Flair. “Little Naitch” is what he will be remembered for by most, yet I’ll think about his legacy differently than most.

Robinson grew up a wrestling fan just like the rest of us. He grew up idolizing The Nature Boy Ric Flair, so not only did he live his dream on-screen with his idol, but he’s arguably one of the most important referees ever.

As a wrestling fan, he may not have been able to become a World Champion or main event Wrestlemania. But in a way, he has done exactly that, and he’s counted the final 1-2-3 in the careers of Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Shawn Michaels, and even Ric Flair. The last three matches all being at a Wrestlemania.

Make no mistake about it, Charles Robinson lived his dream. He has been a very underrated and often overlooked part of wrestling history. He’s even had to experience true loss right in the middle of accomplishing his dreams.

In late 2000, Robinson married a lovely woman named Amy. Not three months later, she was diagnosed with melanoma in her lung and she passed away in the spring of 2002. It just goes to show the heartbreak he’s gone through and most of us were completely unaware of it. I take great comfort in knowing that he found solace in wrestling.

It occurred to me that I’ve been watching Robinson referee matches in WCW and WWE for essentially as long as I’ve been watching.

He’s been a constant in my wrestling world, and I never knew the loss and sacrifice he’s gone through in his life, and it didn’t occur to me that his hand has ended the career of many of the greatest performers to ever lace up their boots.

I just wanted to take a moment and acknowledge a lifetime of work from someone who is in the spotlight, yet goes mostly underappreciated for the job he has done for over twenty years.

I’d just like to say, “Thank you, Charles Robinson”. I really appreciate it. Many of us do.