Veteran WWE referee Charles Robinson recently appeared on Chris Van Vliet’s INSIGHT podcast, where he opened up about several memorable moments from his career, including his widely discussed Charles Robinson WrestleMania run. During the interview, Robinson also revealed that he faked a rib injury caused by Bill Goldberg’s spear and spoke about intense physical encounters with superstars like John Cena and Randy Savage.
Charles Robinson Shares the Most Painful Injury He Endured
Robinson recounted the worst physical bump he ever took, describing a severe elbow strike from Randy Savage during a tag match featuring Ric Flair and Medusa. The impact, which was not part of his usual referee duties but rather a worker bump, resulted in a cracked sternum and a collapsed lung that put him in the hospital for 12 days. He was initially discharged prematurely to fly home to Charlotte despite his lung injury, but later required extended hospitalization.
“Randy Savage elbow. But it wasn’t a ref bump. I was a worker then, but that was the worst bump I’ve taken, the elbow from Randy Savage. He put me in the hospital for 12 days. It was Ric [Flair] and I against Medusa and Savage, and he came off the top with the elbow and Ric Flair wasn’t going to take the elbow from Savage, so they let Little Naitch. Cracked my sternum, collapsed my lung. So two hours later, I went to my room and I said, Oh, man, I just can’t breathe. Went to my room, two hours later, still can’t breathe. I called Jimmy Hart, lifesaver. He called the EMTs. They came to my room, said, ‘Hey, we need to put you in the hospital.’ So that hospital, I won’t say what city, they released me the next day to fly home to Charlotte, which with a collapsed lung you’re not supposed to do that. So I went straight to the hospital for 12 days. But Randy Savage called me every day just to check on me.”
– Charles Robinson, WWE Referee
Memorable Moments from Robinson’s WrestleMania Run
The referee fondly reminisced about his viral run to the ring at WrestleMania, which became an iconic moment widely shared in memes. Despite the excitement of the run, Robinson admitted to a misstep involving The Undertaker. Trying to avoid a choke slam from The Undertaker, he slipped, causing the legendary wrestler to lift him only a few inches off the ground — an unintended moment that made The Undertaker appear weak, something Robinson felt remorseful about.
“When I did the run to the ring for WrestleMania, that was epic. I mean, there’s so many memes. It’s fantastic. But I run down then Undertaker goes to choke slam me, and he’s slippery, and I didn’t post right. He got me up off the ground about six inches. Made him look so weak, and I felt so bad for him.”
– Charles Robinson, WWE Referee
The Forceful Encounter with John Cena on the Ramp
Robinson also described a recent incident involving John Cena’s body check. Cena advised him to slow down when running down the ramp, anticipating the physical contact. Robinson noted that while focused on a cameraman and not Cena himself, he still collided hard enough to be knocked off his feet, underscoring the unexpected power behind Cena’s move.
“With Cena, when I did it recently, I didn’t run as fast for a reason, he didn’t want me to run past him. So he goes, ‘Just take it easy coming down the ramp.’ I saw the camera guy, so I looked. I wasn’t looking at him, I was looking at the camera guy. And then I kept going straight, and then, boom, knocked me out of my shoes.”
– Charles Robinson, WWE Referee
Admitting to Faking a Rib Injury from Goldberg’s Spear
Robinson addressed the widely circulated image suggesting he sustained a cracked rib after taking a spear from Bill Goldberg during his final match. He clarified that the injury was fabricated to enhance the impact of the move and to support Goldberg’s performance. Robinson explained the choice to stage the injury as a way to make the spear look more devastating, which helped protect Goldberg’s reputation.
“I mean, normally he picks you up, lays you down, nice and soft. He went right through me. [And he cracked your rib?] Well, no, my girlfriend and I were in the movie. I said, What can I do to put this over to make Goldberg feel good. I said, Hmm, there’s an image of a broken rib online, so I just posted that.”
– Charles Robinson, WWE Referee
Implications of Robinson’s Revelations and What Lies Ahead
Charles Robinson’s candid reflections reveal the physical dangers and behind-the-scenes storytelling that define professional wrestling. His honesty about faking an injury and hardships sustained on the job adds depth to the wrestlers’ performances fans enjoy. The viral nature of his WrestleMania run continues to entertain audiences, while his tales of endurance and cooperation with stars like Randy Savage, John Cena, and Bill Goldberg contribute to a fuller understanding of the sport’s demanding nature.
As Robinson remains an influential figure within WWE, his experiences shed light on how referees and wrestlers alike endure physical risk and support each other’s narratives. Fans can expect more intriguing insights from Robinson, who bridges the gap between in-ring action and real-life endurance, providing a unique perspective on the wrestling world.
