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Stephon Smith and Bryce Remsburg Respond To Bully Ray’s Criticism of AEW Referees Holding Ladders
Image Credit: Impact Wrestling
As previously reported, Bully Ray has decided to go after AEW’s referees, criticizing them for, among other things, holding ladders for talent. He recently took to Twitter and posted a clip of a WWE Summerslam 2000 ladder match he was in, claiming that didn’t happen. Eagle-eyed fans replied that not only have ladders been held in WWE in the past, but it also happened in the match he referenced. Meanwhile, AEW referees Stephon Smith and Bryce Remsburg both replied to Bully’s comments.
Bully wrote: “No ladders held be Refs. ps…Enjoy the highlights.”
Remsburg replied: “All are entitled to their own opinion. And this was a different era. But if the option is hold the ladder and help protect our coworkers (and often friends) OR watch them possibly break their necks, I/we will hold the ladder every time.”
Smith added: “It’s frustrating that this is still a line of criticism. I get it. There were no ladders held in this match but had someone been seriously injured I’m sure the line of thought would be different. I held the ladder for Darby’s “Coffin Drop” from the ladder at Full Gear ‘22. I held the ladder for Jordan Devlin vs Santos at “Stand & Deliver Night 2” in ‘21 while I was in NXT. Both times I was thanked for ensuring talent wasn’t injured & both times critics said nothing.
In both instances production shot the talent tight but in the case of Will that was a split second call by the team & it was the right one. Production (in both companies) always take the ladder climb wide to get the crowd and then tight once they get whatever is there. We’re there to help. To make sure everyone bell to bell is safe regardless of the shot production takes. Talent safety is #1 (in both companies). Sorry the curtain got pulled back too much on live TV but not sorry because it ensured Will had his moment & was safe in the end. ”
No ladders held be Refs.
ps…Enjoy the highlights. 🤓 https://t.co/J6ClXf1OEj
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) March 11, 2023
All are entitled to their own opinion. And this was a different era.
But if the option is hold the ladder and help protect our coworkers (and often friends) OR watch them possibly break their necks, I/we will hold the ladder every time.
— Bryce Remsburg (@dabryceisright) March 11, 2023
It’s frustrating that this is still a line of criticism. I get it. There were no ladders held in this match but had someone been seriously injured I’m sure the line of thought would be different. https://t.co/2WyphzqcaM
— Stephon Smith (@RefStephonSmith) March 12, 2023
I held the ladder for Darby’s “Coffin Drop” from the ladder at Full Gear ‘22.
I held the ladder for Jordan Devlin vs Santos at “Stand & Deliver Night 2” in ‘21 while I was in NXT.
Both times I was thanked for ensuring talent wasn’t injured & both times critics said nothing.
— Stephon Smith (@RefStephonSmith) March 12, 2023
In both instances production shot the talent tight but in the case of Will that was a split second call by the team & it was the right one. Production (in both companies) always take the ladder climb wide to get the crowd and then tight once they get whatever is there.
— Stephon Smith (@RefStephonSmith) March 12, 2023
We’re there to help. To make sure everyone bell to bell is safe regardless of the shot production takes. Talent safety is #1 (in both companies). Sorry the curtain got pulled back too much on live TV but not sorry because it ensured Will had his moment & was safe in the end. 🤷🏿♂️
— Stephon Smith (@RefStephonSmith) March 12, 2023
https://twitter.com/shabbsart/status/1634586672812953600
— YXNG SHARK 🦈⚡🃏🩸 (@YXNGSHARK) March 12, 2023
