Charles Robinson (referee)
| Charles Robinson | |
|---|---|
Robinson in 2012
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| Birth name | Charles Shane Robinson |
| Born |
July 2, 1964 Mooresville, North Carolina, United States |
| Residence |
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States |
| Spouse(s) | Amy Robinson (m. 2000; d. 2002) |
| Children | Jessica Robinson |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) |
Charles Robinson Little Naitch |
| Billed height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Billed weight | 150 lb (68 kg) |
| Billed from | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Trained by |
George South The Italian Stallion |
| Debut | September 17, 1997 |
Charles Shane Robinson (born July 2, 1964) is an American professional wrestling referee and former professional wrestler currently signed to WWE.
While growing up, Robinson idolized NWA superstar Ric Flair. He also studied NWA referee Tommy Young in order to hone his mannerisms as a referee. His professional wrestling career began when he joined the Pro Wrestling Federation (PWF) as a photographer in 1995. After being used as a special guest referee, he later became a full-time referee for the PWF.
Robinson repeatedly petitioned the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) professional wrestling promotion for a job. On September 15, 1997, he was given a tryout match, referreeing a dark match between Chris Taylor and Kendall Windham before WCW Monday Nitro at Independence Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. A few weeks following the match, Robinson was contacted by WCW and signed to a contract. His first appearance was during the WCW TV tapings at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida.
In 1999, Robinson became the heel referee of the Four Horsemen, aligning himself with Flair. Robinson frequently favored the Horsemen in the matches he officiated, enraging Randy Savage. Savage, who had been suspended by Flair (then the WCW President), proposed a match between his girlfriend, Gorgeous George, and Robinson, with Savage to be reinstated if George defeated Robinson. The match, which marked Robinson's wrestling debut, took place at Slamboree 1999 on May 9, 1999. Robinson, dubbed "Little Naitch" (a reference to Flair's nickname, the "Nature Boy"), came to the ring in a robe similar to those worn by Flair, and mimicked Flair's mannerisms, signature strut and "wooo" catchphrase. Robinson emulated Flair throughout the match, using Flair's customary illegal tactics, but was defeated by George, who pinned him following a diving elbow drop. Robinson wrestled his second match one week later, teaming with Flair to face Randy Savage and Madusa on an episode of WCW Monday Nitro. In the course of the match, Savage delivered a botched diving elbow drop to Robinson, cracking several of his vertebrae and collapsing his lung. After undergoing treatment, Robinson returned to WCW television several weeks later, and was appointed to President Flair's stable. Flair and Piper kayfabe ran WCW until they were unseated by Sting, with Robinson returning to his refereeing duties.
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