Tim White, a former WWE official and close confidante of the late Andre the Giant, has died.
The news circulated on Sunday morning that White, 68, had passed away.
WWE is saddened to learn that long-time referee Tim White has passed away.
WWE extends our condolences to White’s family, friends and fans.https://t.co/qFSeSw5eRF
— WWE (@WWE) June 19, 2022
According to SLAM Wrestling’s Greg Oliver, White began working with the World Wrestling Federation in 1982 and was assigned to its merchandise division, working at the stands.
He would famously befriend Andre Roussimoff, become a close traveling partner and handler for Andre, and occupy a role in Andre’s close unit of friends.
White later became a full-time referee with the company and was a familiar face to anyone growing up in that era watching WWF programming.
White was the official for one of the biggest spectacles in the history of the industry when Mick Foley took on The Undertaker inside of a Hell in a Cell on June 28, 1998. The match is unlike anything previously seen inside of a WWF ring and hopefully will never be replicated.
His career took a major turn when suffering a severe shoulder injury in another Hell in a Cell match. At Judgment Day 2002, Triple H and Chris Jericho had their own version of the match that included a spot where White was sent off the apron into the cage and then, thrown into the cage by Jericho. White was gone for two years and re-injured his shoulder upon return and ended his days as a referee.
White was also the subject of a running gag, where he attempted to kill himself. This started at the Armageddon pay-per-view in December 2005 and continued with online vignettes involving Josh Mathews. They were over-the-top and preposterous but viewed as tasteless given how close they aired after the real-life death of Eddy Guerrero the prior month.
White was featured in the HBO documentary on Andre the Giant and his former Rhode Island establishment, The Friendly Tap, was frequently used for angles on WWE programming including The APA brawling in the bar.
We pass along our condolences to the friends and family of Tim White.
I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear friend Tim White. My deepest condolences to his family. A great man, referee and person. We’ve laughed so hard together we’ve both had tears in our eyes. There’s not a better way to remember you. Rest well.x
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) June 19, 2022
Tim White brightened every room he walked into & the WWE locker room was especially lucky to have him. Being around Timmy on several PR tours was a joy! We would get our work done & meet after and he would tell old road stories & we’d laugh til the sun came up. Cheers, sir 🍻
— Nic Nemeth (@HEELZiggler) June 19, 2022
I am soo saddened by the news of Tim White passing.
Tim was a great guy, ref, employee and a man’s man.
Tim loved WWE and WWE loved Tim back.
Thoughts and prayers to family, friends and fans.— Michael PS Hayes (@MichaelPSHayes1) June 19, 2022
Tim White was the first person to pay us in 2007, when we worked as “extra talent” in Toronto for WWE.
He paid us the old school way: in cash & out of his briefcase.
Always enjoyed our interactions with Tim White over the years. Fond memories. Rest easy, sir. 🙏🏽
— Studdz of Bollywood 🇨🇦 🇮🇳 (@BollywoodBoyz) June 19, 2022
Tim White was a great guy. An endless supply of amazing stories. He loved the biz and being around it. In '06 when his shoulder problems kept him from refereeing he was more than happy to do those crazy skits. A real ham! Pour one out at the Friendly Tap for a true good brother🍻
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) June 19, 2022
I am saddened by this very much. Tim White was always great to myself and everyone he came into contact with. He was one of my last connections to Providence in the business.He was so dedicated to it and always proud of everyone in it. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/2Srok1FatF
— John “Brown” Damico (@DAmico_J) June 19, 2022
