Bryce Remsburg Compares Referee Role On The Indies Vs. AEW

Since the first AEW Double or Nothing took place in May 2019, Bryce Remsburg has been a constant presence in AEW's referee core, while also serving as a travel manager for the promotion. Remsburg's consistenty as a ref is no surprise, given he had been one of the most notable referees on the independent wrestling circuit for over a decade before signing with AEW. To most, that would seemingly make his transition from the indies to a major league wrestling promotion pretty easy. As Remsburg would tell it during an appearance on "The Certified Mark Show," however, it was anything but smooth.

"Refereeing on the independents and refereeing on television for AEW are two different beasts," Remsburg said. "I did seventeen years on the indies from 2002 to 2019. And I feel like I had kind of gotten my bachelor's degree. But when AEW started, just really, I began my master's program." 

According to Remsburg, the key difference turned out being having people in his ear, literally, as the earpiece Remsburg wears during matches allows him to receive instruction from AEW owner Tony Khan, agents, and television producers. That level of communication was new enough for Remsburg that he didn't get entirely comfortable in his new role until several months into AEW's tenure.

"It took me a while to feel like I was being present in the moment because I was hearing things and talking," Remsburg said. "It definitely...I am not saying that a global pandemic was a good thing in any shape, way, or form. But I will say we did 23 weeks of 'Dynamite' before COVID happened and we went to no crowds. And then doing those 'Dynamite's' in front of no crowds, sometimes they were taped in Jacksonville, really gave me an opportunity to start feeling confident for refereeing for television."

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "The Certified Mark Show" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription