Former WWE Ref Tim White to Receive Warrior Award as Part of 2023 Hall of Fame Class

WWE announced Wednesday that referee Tim White will be posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as the Warrior Award winner for the class of 2023.

As part of the announcement, WWE released a video package highlighting White's importance as an in-ring official, as well as a trusted backstage liaison for WWE's Superstars:

White, who joined WWE in 1985 and remained with the company in various roles until 2009, died in June 2022 at the age of 68.

During his nearly 20-year run as a WWE referee, White officiated some of the company's biggest matches, but perhaps none was more memorable than the Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Mankind at King of the Ring 1998.

Taker threw Mankind off the top of the cell and through the announcers' table and later choke-slammed Mankind through the top of the cell and down inside the ring, serving as a career-making moment for Mick Foley in many respects.

White is perhaps best remembered for being the close friend and agent for the legendary André the Giant from 1985 until his death in 1993.

Due to the fact that André was well over 7 feet tall and 500 pounds, he often needed special accommodations when he traveled, and White was paramount in helping him get from town to town.

White's importance to André was highlighted in the André the Giant documentary produced by HBO in 2018.

Aside from André, White also provided a helping hand to nearly every Superstar on the roster during his WWE tenure by ensuring things ran smoothly at autograph signings and other Superstar appearances.

Following The Ultimate Warrior's death in 2014 just days after his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, WWE introduced the Warrior Award in 2015, meant to honor those who "exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who live life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior."

While some of the recipients have had nothing to do with WWE, others have been unsung heroes over the course of the company's history, and White undoubtedly qualifies for the latter group.

On Friday night following SmackDown, White will be honored as part of the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame class at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, along with Rey Mysterio, The Great Muta, Andy Kaufman and Stacy Keibler.

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