Not only is Earl Hebner unquestionably the most popular referee of all-time, but he is also the most controversial. Hebner began officiating for Jim Crockett Promotions in the 1980s and joined the WWE in 1988. He was with the WWE for 17 years before being released in 2005, but he continues to officiate, as he was hired by TNA in 2006. Nobody has refereed more big matches than Hebner, but no official has made more controversial decisions either.
Hebner's reputation as a controversial figure began in 1988 when he officiated the WWE Championship match between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant on Main Event. He was initially playing the role of a guy who got plastic surgery to look like Dave Hebner, but it was ultimately revealed that he was his twin brother. While Earl's actions were part of the show in this instance, his most infamous moment would come almost a decade later and it would define his career.
At Survivor Series in 1997, Bret Hart was scheduled to defend his WWE Championship against Shawn Michaels in Montreal. It was well-known by that point that Hart was leaving for WCW, but he refused to drop the belt to Michaels because of personal issues between them. Fearing that he would take the title to WCW with him, Vince McMahon took matters into his own hands and orchestrated a ruse that became known as the Montreal Screwjob.
An unsuspecting Hart was placed in the Sharpshooter by Michaels, prompting Hebner to quickly call for the bell. Hart realized that he had been set up and went on a rampage that included him spitting in McMahon's face and destroying equipment. Hebner was simply doing what he was told by his boss, but many fans have never forgiven him for his involvement.
After that, Hebner continued to be featured as the WWE's main official and was involved in several storylines, including organizing a kayfabe referee strike. In addition to that, he often showed favoritism toward "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and joined in beer bashes with him following matches on many occasions.
While most of Hebner's controversy has stemmed from creative angles, he was a big part of one of the most controversial moments in professional wrestling history, and that is plenty to qualify him as the most controversial WWE referee of all-time.
