On Rob Van Dam’s “1 Of A Kind” podcast, ex-WWE ref Mike Chioda shared his experiences officiating for matches such as The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan, the Mankind vs. The Undertaker Hell In A Cell match, and more.
Some key moments from the podcast are:
Regarding one of the memorable matches at WrestleMania 18, Chioda stated it was one of the several that held significance for multiple reasons. He recalled The Rock and Hogan spectacle not as a high-energy match, but as an Icon vs. Icon face-off that captivated audiences. He also brought back memories of other thrilling moments with stars like Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, Roman Reigns, and others. He acknowledged the difficulty to term any match as the definitive best due to the variety of experiences each match offered.
Revisiting the Mankind vs. The Undertaker Hell in a Cell match, Chioda recollected Mick Foley’s incredible resilience. Even after suffering injuries, Foley refused to be stretchered off, as Chioda revealed. Chioda praised Foley and Taker for taking the Hell in a Cell format to a new level, reminding listeners of the skyrocketing ratings at the time.
During his “What Happened When” podcast, AEW broadcaster Tony Schiavone discussed the complexity of balancing autograph signings with meeting old friends. He also reminisced about his time as the ring announcer at the Omni and a memorable cage match between Dick Murdoch and Dusty Rhodes.