WWE NXT Referee Tom Castor Finishes Match After Breaking Leg on Video

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistApril 27, 2019

Wrestlers fight during a show at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, as part of the WrestleMania Revenge Tour, the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) European tour, on April 22, 2016. / AFP / THOMAS SAMSON (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images)

THOMAS SAMSON/Getty Images

Referee bumps have long been a part of professional wrestling. NXT referee Tom Castor inadvertently took things to an extreme during a house show Thursday night.

Castor was officiating a match between Velveteen Dream and Tyler Breeze when he broke his leg. Despite the injury, Castor counted the pinfall. Twitter user Michael Davis shared video of the match (warning: video contains profanity and graphic scenes):

Michael Davis @TheRealMikeD23
That moment you realize your town is cursed. 2 leg injuries in 1 night #NXTOmaha https://t.co/jz1RB8Ymyk

A number of WWE personnel commented on the incident (warning: graphic photo included):

Scott Armstrong @WWEArmstrong
Our @NXT @WWE Ref @tomcastorWWE broke his leg last night, still counted 3 and then threw up the “X” for himself!!! Shout out to Tom for being a true Pro and keeping his focus! #ReffinAintEasy! #SpeedyRecoveryTom https://t.co/6sXEUlFACO

King DREAM @VelveteenWWE
H U S B A N D P R O F E S S I O N A L B A D A S S MUTHAF#<KA SEND LOVE 2 TOM CASTOR, ( @tomcastorWWE ) The Man Willing 2 Sacrifice His Personal Health 4 The Entertainment Of The Paying Customer. Say THANK U We R Blessed 2 Have #TomCastor https://t.co/0nGsHnDJUg

Mike Rome (Austin R) @MikeRomeWWE
Just watched @tomcastorWWE continue to do his job with a broken leg (leg facing the wrong way). #wearenxt doesn’t say it any better. Much respect and love for this savage brother ❤️ #WWENXT

Tegan Nox 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @TeganNoxWWE_
@tomcastorWWE is just a ridiculously tough badass! Staying to count the 3 with an injury like that!...you, my friend, are one of the toughest SOB’s I’ve ever met! @WWENXT is lucky to have someone like you! Get well soon, buddy!

Ember Moon @WWEEmberMoon
.@tomcastorWWE is a bad a** ... That is all!

Drake Wuertz @WWEDrakeWuertz
Please say a prayer for my brother @tomcastorWWE. He broke his leg in the line of duty tonight during the main event of #NXTOmaha. When he was on the stretcher he squeezed my hand and proudly said "Drake I Love the Business". We love you Tom! 🙏

Although less common for referees, fans have heard numerous stories of wrestlers gutting through serious injuries to finish a match as planned.

Triple H tore his quad in a 2001 tag team match against Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit, yet he still allowed Jericho to lock in the Walls of Jericho. Stone Cold Steve Austin broke his neck in a singles bout against Owen Hart at SummerSlam 1997. Brock Lesnar suffered a concussion in the main event of WrestleMania XIX after landing wrongly on a shooting star press.

Castor has now carved out his own corner in the WWE's grittiest performances.

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