Former WWE Referee Tim White Passes Away at Age 68

Former WWE referee Tim White, real name Timothy Rhys White, passed away this past Sunday at the age of 68.

White’s passing was first announced by Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp on Twitter.

Unfortunately have learned that former WWE referee Tim White has passed away, per the company.

Sending love to his friends, family, and colleagues pic.twitter.com/2BMeGI8uJV

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 19, 2022

White’s career in wrestling spanned from 1985 to 2009 and was known behind-the-scenes for being the handler and close friend of Andre The Giant in WWE and as the former owner of The Friendly Tap bar in Cumberland, Rhode Island. White’s bar became a recurring location in WWE programming whenever the company held shows in the state during the Attitude Era and 2000s.

In 2002, White suffered serious shoulder injury during the Triple H vs. Chris Jericho Hell in a Cell match at Judgement Day 2002. Following him re-injuring his shoulder during the Christian vs. Chris Jericho match at WrestleMania XX in 2004, White was forced to retire as a full-time referee.

White’s career in WWE was also known for the infamous Lunchtime Suicide Series, which featured a despondent White trying and failing in comical fashion at “killing” himself over him being down on life after his referee career had ended.

WWE issued an official statement on the passing of White:

WWE is saddened to learn that long-time referee Tim White has passed away.

For more than two decades, Tim White was a dedicated WWE referee and official. White began his illustrious career in 1985 working with Andre the Giant and as a part-time referee.

During his tenure, he was the referee for some of WWE’s biggest matches, including the infamous Hell in a Cell Match between Undertaker and Mankind at King of the Ring 1998.

A shoulder injury effectively ended White’s in-ring career, but White still remained a major part of WWE working behind the scenes as an official and talent agent until 2009.

WWE extends its condolences to White’s family, friends and fans.