Referee Reportedly Fined For WrestleMania 35 Main Event Finish

On Sunday night, Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair made history when they wrestled in the main event of WrestleMania 35, and in the end Becky pinned Ronda Rousey to win the match and two title belts.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful is reporting that the referee was fined because refs are instructed to call the match as a shoot, and Ronda Rousey accidentally got her shoulder up while she was being pinned, so he should have stopped the count.

According to the report, referee Rod Zapata initially had heat after the finish, but it quickly dissipated.

However, Vince McMahon pulled him aside before Raw, explained the situation and then he was fined.

The thought behind counting the pin was that Ronda Rousey may have struggled to bounce back with a new finish because the match was rehearsed ahead of time.

The pinfall did happen as planned, but Rousey’s shoulders weren’t down. McMahon reportedly told the referee that he should have waited until her shoulders were down, and if anyone struggled to continue the match then it would have been on them.

Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair did work out the match ahead of time, and WWE cameras filmed them rehearsing the main event.

Referee Dan Engler was also reportedly fined for a spot during the Roode & Gable vs. Ricochet & Black match on Raw. It’s being said that the spot was small but Vince McMahon wanted to set an example.

The referees were reportedly brought to the production truck and shown video of the errors they made.