Rudy Charles
Encyclopedia
Daniel Engler is an American
professional wrestling
referee
, better known by his ring name
, Rudy Charles, best known for his time as a referee in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
(TNA), where he was the promotion's
senior referee. Also has worked in 2011 with SWE, Supreme Wrestling Entertainment, in Wisconsin.
referee Mark Vance, who he met at a wrestling show in the Evansville Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
, and refereed his first match on July 6, 1996.
In 1997, Charles enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard
, and underwent four months of training.
Charles joined TNA shortly after its inception in June 2002, and was quickly named senior referee. In addition to working for TNA, Charles runs a high school football website, along with his brother.
Rudy Charles was the wrestling referee for the season three premiere of Pros vs Joes
.
Rudy Charles has run several family oriented wrestling promotions in his hometown of Evansville, IN. He has run shows at the historic Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
(former home to the USWA), the Vanderburgh County 4-H Fairground (home to the Frog Follies classic car festival) and the CK Newsome Center, an urban community center for inner-city children.
Rudy currently has a show on YouTube.com called The Rudy Charles Talk Show. His guests so far have been: former TNA/WWE referee Mike Posey, wrestlers such as Mike Rapada, Mike Rapada Jr., Steve-0, Matt Boyce, and Shawn Shultz.
(TNA) since its start in 2002. Rudy was one of the first referees shown on the show, having to help hold Toby Keith
back from entering the ring to fight Jeff Jarrett
.
Rudy's first trading card (#59) was released in 2004 by Pacific Trading Card Inc. Charles has come to have five other cards, three being in the latest TNA Trading Cards.
On January 29, 2009, Rudy made his wrestling debut on TNA Wrestling, along with referee Andrew Thomas, in a handicap match against Booker T
.
In a backstage interview, Charles seemed confident and talked about his amateur wrestling background. Thomas was nervous, but Charles said to follow his lead. This was all short lived as Booker T
hit Rudy with an Axe Kick and finished off Andrew Thomas with the Bookend for the pin, and forced Earl Hebner
to make the count.
In July 2009, Charles left TNA. However, he again appeared for TNA Impact (now branded Impact Wrestling) on the Thanksgiving Day 2011 episode and featured in several segments alongside wrestler Eric Young
as well as refereeing a match between Eric Young
and Robbie E. His multiple appearances throughout the show suggested he may be returning to the company but as yet this is not clear.
debut as the special guest referee of a match between heel referee Chris Sharpe and OVW
senior official Ray Ramsey in December 2009. He has refereed several matches in OVW
since.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestling
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
referee
Referee (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling referee is the official figure that makes sure that wrestling matches move smoothly in an attempt to maintain kayfabe. The referee also has the ultimate power in the ring...
, better known by his ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
, Rudy Charles, best known for his time as a referee in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
(TNA), where he was the promotion's
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
senior referee. Also has worked in 2011 with SWE, Supreme Wrestling Entertainment, in Wisconsin.
Career
Charles trained as a referee under former United States Wrestling AssociationUnited States Wrestling Association
The United States Wrestling Association or USWA was a professional wrestling promotion based in Memphis, Tennessee. It was founded by former CWA owner Jerry Jarrett.-Foundation:...
referee Mark Vance, who he met at a wrestling show in the Evansville Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum was erected in Evansville, Indiana, in 1916, at a cost of $180,000.00....
, and refereed his first match on July 6, 1996.
In 1997, Charles enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
, and underwent four months of training.
Charles joined TNA shortly after its inception in June 2002, and was quickly named senior referee. In addition to working for TNA, Charles runs a high school football website, along with his brother.
Rudy Charles was the wrestling referee for the season three premiere of Pros vs Joes
Pros vs Joes
Pros vs. Joes is an American physical reality game show that airs on Spike TV. The show features male amateur contestants matching themselves against professional athletes in a series of athletic feats related to the expertise sport of the Pro they are facing...
.
Rudy Charles has run several family oriented wrestling promotions in his hometown of Evansville, IN. He has run shows at the historic Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum was erected in Evansville, Indiana, in 1916, at a cost of $180,000.00....
(former home to the USWA), the Vanderburgh County 4-H Fairground (home to the Frog Follies classic car festival) and the CK Newsome Center, an urban community center for inner-city children.
Rudy currently has a show on YouTube.com called The Rudy Charles Talk Show. His guests so far have been: former TNA/WWE referee Mike Posey, wrestlers such as Mike Rapada, Mike Rapada Jr., Steve-0, Matt Boyce, and Shawn Shultz.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2002-2009)
Charles was one of the few that had been with Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
(TNA) since its start in 2002. Rudy was one of the first referees shown on the show, having to help hold Toby Keith
Toby Keith
Toby Keith Covel , best known as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer and actor. Keith released his first four studio albums — 1993's Toby Keith, 1994's Boomtown, 1996's Blue Moon and 1997's Dream Walkin, plus a Greatest Hits package for various divisions of...
back from entering the ring to fight Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett
Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , an organization he co-founded along with his father and in which he holds some stock but not total control...
.
Rudy's first trading card (#59) was released in 2004 by Pacific Trading Card Inc. Charles has come to have five other cards, three being in the latest TNA Trading Cards.
On January 29, 2009, Rudy made his wrestling debut on TNA Wrestling, along with referee Andrew Thomas, in a handicap match against Booker T
Booker Huffman
Robert Booker Tio Huffman , better known by his ring name Booker T, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler and currently signed to WWE, on its SmackDown brand, as part of the announcing team. Booker is best known for his time in both the World Wrestling Entertainment and World...
.
In a backstage interview, Charles seemed confident and talked about his amateur wrestling background. Thomas was nervous, but Charles said to follow his lead. This was all short lived as Booker T
Booker Huffman
Robert Booker Tio Huffman , better known by his ring name Booker T, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler and currently signed to WWE, on its SmackDown brand, as part of the announcing team. Booker is best known for his time in both the World Wrestling Entertainment and World...
hit Rudy with an Axe Kick and finished off Andrew Thomas with the Bookend for the pin, and forced Earl Hebner
Earl Hebner
Earl William Hebner is a professional wrestling referee currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, and the twin brother of Dave Hebner...
to make the count.
In July 2009, Charles left TNA. However, he again appeared for TNA Impact (now branded Impact Wrestling) on the Thanksgiving Day 2011 episode and featured in several segments alongside wrestler Eric Young
Eric Young
Eric Young may refer to:*Eric Young *Eric Young, Jr., baseball player, Eric Young 's son*Eric Young *Eric Young , ring name used by Jeremy Fritz*Eric Young...
as well as refereeing a match between Eric Young
Eric Young
Eric Young may refer to:*Eric Young *Eric Young, Jr., baseball player, Eric Young 's son*Eric Young *Eric Young , ring name used by Jeremy Fritz*Eric Young...
and Robbie E. His multiple appearances throughout the show suggested he may be returning to the company but as yet this is not clear.
National Wrestling Alliance (2009-Current)
On his debut in NWA, Shawn Shultz lost his NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship. On various episodes, Shultz said that Rudy screwed his match. Also, Shawn along with his manager, Tony Lucassio, called Rudy a reject referee from another promotion in Orlando, noting his time in TNA.USA Championship Wrestling (2002-Current)
Since his debut in 2002, Rudy Charles has made many appearances for USA Championship Wrestling. He is currently the promotion's senior referee. He has had run-ins with former TNA/WWE referee turned wrestler, Mike Posey.Ohio Valley Wrestling (2009-current)
Rudy Charles made his OVWOhio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
debut as the special guest referee of a match between heel referee Chris Sharpe and OVW
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
senior official Ray Ramsey in December 2009. He has refereed several matches in OVW
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
since.