An Interview with Professional Wrestling Referee Nick Chinn
Nick Chinn is one of, if not the most noticeable referees in the Kansas City area, popping up everywhere around this territory as well as on a few national TV brands. When I first started attending local indy shows again after the Covid-19 global pandemic trapped everyone at home for more than a year and a half, I ended up going to Central States Wrestling quite a bit, and of course I got to see Nick ref numerous matches. He kind of became Kansas City’s Earl Hebner for me, and I always enjoy seeing him in the ring because a great referee can make or break a wrestling match in many ways.
I have a pretty strong memory of a show back in early 2022 when Nick was mercilessly attacked by “The Monarch” Jeremy Wyatt and was left laying on the outside of the ring. This upset my young son quite a bit because he thought Nick Chinn had been murdered in the ring and was lying there with nobody helping him. I had to assure him that Nick was probably okay and that he’s just great at his job. Since then, I’ve watched him battle sea captains, do some crazy dives, and even have wrestling matches determine the gender of his new child, and it’s for that very reason that I wanted to chat with him and discuss his career from humble beginnings all the way to now. Join me as we sit down with “Big Dick” Nick and see what makes him tick!
I generally ask a few of the same questions in these sorts of interviews, so don’t be surprised if you’ve seen me repeat a few before. As I build up a format that I like, I figure this makes it fun to compare how different people answer on a few of these.
Note: This interview was conducted electronically in November of 2025
Any Images used have been provided by Nick Chinn with permission to use them on here.
Hello sir, thank you once again for doing this interview – to get started, could you tell my readers about yourself?
“Hello! I’m Nick Chinn aka “Big D**k Nick” (Thanks for the nickname, Mat Fitchett)
I’m a pro wrestling referee based out of the Midwest. You may have seen me at some of the following places. Fountain City Pro, Wrestling Revolver, Major League Wrestling, Central States Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action to name a few places. I’m a pun master, Ichabod, corgi lover, wrestling nerd, stone cold stunner expert, high flying referee, gamer, husband, father and soon to be a girl dad in 2026. Just to name a few things.”
When did you get started in the business?
“I broke into the pro wrestling scene in the summer of 2008 for a company called whiplash wrestling that was running a fair show. I showed up with my friend Ott and his older brother to help set the ring up, did some training with a wrestler named JC Thunder and offered to help referee the show. I guess you can say the rest is history.”
You are easily one of the more recognizable and notable referees in the area, did you always plan to become an official?
“Truthfully, I wanted to be a pro wrestler but realizing that my 5’4 height and not so athletic build I wouldn’t have made a good pro wrestler. When I broke into the pro wrestling scene in Kansas I noticed a need for pro wrestling referees, and I thought I’d make a much better fit in that roll. Looking back, I know I made the right choice.”
Do you have any general tips for anyone wanting to become a referee – you often see untrained folks walk up to promoters at shows and ask, “do you need a referee or something”, what can they do?
“Go to a legitimate wrestling school or find someone that has credentials and get trained. That is the biggest piece of advice I can share with inspiring referees.”
What is a BIG mistake people make in wrestling training?
“Not learning outside of training, getting reps in at shows, asking others for feedback, not doing seminars with much more experienced refs, wrestlers, whoever. Not expanding outside of the hometown. Not jumping into cars with other wrestlers when there is an opportunity to go to a new promotion. Investing in the proper gear as a ref, I’ve seen refs wearing black sweatpants in 2025 and that drives me up a wall! BUY SOME BLACK DRESS PANTS!”
What is the hardest thing about being a referee?
“Being able to help tell the story in the ring. “What Do You Need From Me” is a question I ask talent when working on a show. The goal of a pro wrestling ref in my opinion is to help assist the talent in the ring to the best of abilities. “What can I do to help better this match?” is something I ask myself when going over matches.”
Have you noticed a big change in the Kansas City Scene since you got started?
“Absolutely! When I broke into the wrestling scene in 2008 there were not a lot of companies running in the area. Now in 2025 there are a lot more companies running in the area and multiple places for people to find work.”
What is your fondest memory of places like Metro Pro and NWL?
“Love it! I miss both of those places to this day. Without Metro Pro and NWL I wouldn’t be the ref I am today. I’m forever grateful for Chris Gough for giving me a chance back in 2014 and for bring me onto NWL when It was created. As far as memories go the street fight between Micheal Strider vs Jeremy Wyatt always comes to mind. As far as NWL goes, getting to be apart of the first NWL championship match between Dak Draper vs Blaine Meeks comes to mind.”
Were you worried when they shut down? Where did you go then?
“Yeah, I was at first. But as soon as NWL shutdown STL Anarchy opened back up Journey pro was born and I was back on the road doing shows. As time past more opportunities came up and I just grabbed my ball and ran as far as I could go.”
Aside from being a staple in Kansas City wrestling for well over a decade now, you have been popping up in places like MLW And GCW from time to time, how did you get started with those more national companies?
“My friend Chris Estell told me: “that you can’t get booked being at home.” I reached out to the promotions and people I knew that worked there, got off my ass and just made those drives and showed up.”
Another company you are well-entrenched in is Wrestling Revolver, should Kansas City fans check them out? Can you recommend a match for everyone to see?
“Absolutely! One match I can recommend for everyone to check out is “Swerve Strickland vs Athena” the match is on Wrestling Revolvers Youtube page. As a side note I keep telling Sami Callihan that Revolver needs to run in Kansas. So hopefully that will be a reality sometime in the future.”
I bet there are some places I’m unaware of you working, what is the wildest/coolest place you’ve officiated a match?
“I did a show for Zicky Dice called “Outlandish Paradise” it was the first time I did a pro wrestling show that was streaming on twitch. It was a cool experience. I got to be apart of Outlandish Pradise 2 at wrestlecon in Texas a few years ago. Talk about a full circle moment going to wrestlecon as a fan to working at the event.”
What is the highlight of your career so far?
“I wouldn’t count this a career highlight but a personal one for me is a video on ticktock from wrestling revolver was my stone cold stunner video has almost 3 million views and Stone Cold liked the video on Instagram. That was a personal highlight for me. Someone I grew up watching and getting me hooked on pro wrestling took time to watch a video of me and liking it is crazy!”
With 2025 almost coming to a close, what is your biggest goal for 2026?
“Refereeing a show in another country! Iv always wanted to work a show in another country and I would love to knock that out of my bucket list before all is said and done.”
Shifting gears a bit… Many fans will recall your spat with “The Captain” Midnight Guthrie in Fountain City Pro, was there anything going on backstage that started all of that? What was his deal? When did you feel he really crossed the line?
“Midnight wanted to run amuck in Fountain City Pro and I warned him that if he got too involved that I would interject myself. Midnight didn’t take too kind to that and that first show was the genesis of our problems. When he threw the fireball in my face that’s when I knew that things really crossed the line.”
What was running through your head when he tried to involve your family?
“This Mother****** is not going to get away with that” I took it personal. Looking back I should have been more professional but I was not going to let that slide.”
With that all dusted, nobody has really seen that guy around, what happened to him?
“Honestly, Last I heard he was retiring. It’s weird not seeing him at Fountain City Pro. To be fair I wouldn’t come back after getting KO from his own steel glove. I’m Thankful that Chase Riley allowed us to settle the score once and for all.”
Another of your main haunts is Central States Wrestling, how’d it feel to get back in the ring with them after the hiatus?
“Haunts? I don’t recall the company being haunted? Joking aside I’m glad it’s back. As long as Jeremy Wyatt don’t drop me on my head again I should be good.”
Where you always a wrestling fan growing up?
“When I was 7 years old my stepdad turn on WCW and I was hooked! I saw Goldberg and was amazed by him and his dominance as a kid. Then I discovered WWF right after.”
Who were your favorite performers?
“Stone Cold Steve Austin was my new favorite after Goldberg.”
Are there any wrestlers or referees you look up to?
“I’ve got a few people I’d like to shoutout: Rick Knox, Justin Borden, Bryce Remsburg, Todd Sinclair, Sami Callihan, Jeremy Wyatt, Chris Estell, Chris Gough, Frank Gastineau, Daniel Spencer, Adam Gault, Brian Stiffler, Brandon Tolle, Earl and Brian Hebner, Charlies Robinson, Mike Chioda, Nick Patrick, Slick Johnson, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, and last but not least Paul Walter Hauser.”
Any Recommendations for books, TV, movies etc. that you are into right now?
“Im not a big reader to be honest. Now video games! Let me tell you what I’m playing currently: Arc Raiders, Battlefield 6, Outerworlds 2, Wrestequest and most likely Black Ops 7 since iv got gamepass. As far as TV goes me and the wife just finished watching Dexter and all the spin off shows too, very good show. I just got a ROG Xbox ally X and I’m going to be looking into some Steam games I haven’t got to play yet.”
My final question I always ask is – If you could time travel to any point in history what time would it be and what would you want to see?
“I wouldn’t mind going back to the Mesozoic Era and seeing Dinosaurs! That would be cool!
Thank You for your time! Follow me on X at @Chinn_Ref”
