CM Punk is currently involved in a lawsuit with Dr. Chris Amann (who works for WWE). Some of the testimony from the trial ended up revealing some interesting tidbits about WWE referees.
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On day 2 of the trial, former WWE timekeeper Mark Yeaton’s testimony provided some insight into how timekeepers would communicate with referees (via Wrestlezone)
How Do The Referees Communicate?
Yeaton says that referees do not have microphones on them during matches to communicate backstage. The only time that referees have microphones on them is during Falls Count Anywhere matches. The timekeeper has direct communication with Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn (who are backstage). He (as the timekeeper) would use hand signals to communicate with referees.
What Hand Signals Do They Use?
On day 3 of the trial, we got some more information from current WWE referee John Cone (via Wrestlezone). Cone confirmed some of the hand signals that allow him to communicate with the timekeeper. “Yes” is a closed fist, “No” is a shake of the head, “X” is for an injury.
What Happens After The Referee Tosses Up The ‘X’
Speaking of the “X”, Yeaton also revealed that if a referee does give the symbol, his job as timekeeper was to make sure that the camera cuts away from the injury. He then gets in direct communication with the referee to figure out what to do.
On a related note, here is what the Undertaker instructed the referee to do before his match against Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania.
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