Jimmy Korderas

Jimmy Korderas
Jimmy Korderas
	Korderas at an independent wrestling show in January 2013
Birth name	Demetrius Korderas
Born	March 19, 1962 (age 62); Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Jimmy Korderas
Billed height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Billed weight	210 lb (95 kg)
Billed from	East York, Ontario
Trained by	Billy Red Lyons; Terry Yorkston; John Bonello
Debut	1985
Retired	2012

Demetrius Korderas (born March 19, 1962), better known by his referee name, Jimmy Korderas, is a Canadian professional wrestling referee, commentator and television personality. He is best known for his 22-year tenure in WWE from 1987–2009.

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Korderas began working as a professional wrestling referee in 1985 at Maple Leaf Gardens.^[1] At first, he was hired as a driver by his friend Elio Zarlenga. At the time, Zarlenga was second in command only to Jack Tunney, and suggested making Korderas a referee. His first match was between Special Delivery Jones and Red Demon.^[1]

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1987–2009)

Korderas in the ring in 2008

On May 23, 1999, Korderas was the referee at Over the Edge for the match between "Blue Blazer" Owen Hart and The Godfather. He was in the ring when Hart fell 78 feet from a harness tethered above the ring and died. According to reports, Hart yelled to Korderas to move because Hart did not want to land on Korderas, but Hart's foot still made contact with Korderas' shoulder.^[3]^[4]

During a kayfabe strike by the WWF referees in late 1999, Korderas was the only regular referee who did not join the strike, which led to him being attacked by the striking refs at Unforgiven in 1999.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006, the WWE pulled Korderas off the road briefly due to health issues, but he returned to work shortly thereafter. In November 2008, referees, and thus Korderas, were made no longer exclusive to particular WWE television shows, or brands. On January 9, 2009, Korderas was released from WWE.^{[citation needed]}

Ring of Honor (2012)

On May 12, 2012, Korderas refereed a match at Ring of Honor's Internet Pay-Per View entitled Border Wars. Jimmy was heralded by fans chanting "Thank you, Jimmy" when he entered the ring.

Personal life

After leaving WWE, Korderas began spending more time with his wife and family, as well as taking classes in broadcasting.^[1]

Korderas (right) and Arda Ocal ringside doing commentary at an independent wrestling show in 2012

After meeting Arda Ocal, then of Sportsnet 360, Ocal brought him on as an analyst on "Right After Wrestling" on SIRIUS Radio, and also secured him a spot on the Aftermath Television Program, which Korderas appeared on until the show's cancellation in 2021.

Korderas published a book on his life and career, called "The Three Count - my life in stripes as a WWE referee" The foreword was written by Adam Copeland (Edge) and was released on April 1, 2013 by ECW Press.

Awards and accomplishments

Canadian Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2021^[5]
New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Class of 2015

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Kapur, Bob (March 26, 2010). "Korderas offers advice on reffing, Mania". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved 2010-03-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Jim Korderas". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
^ Markazi, Arash (2006-03-26). "Bret Hart opens up Thoughts on Owen, McMahon, rough times and more". CNN Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 8, 2006. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
^ Powell, John. "Hart tragedy overshadows Taker's win". SLAM! Wrestling. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on 2012-05-30. Retrieved 2008-01-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ "2021 Class". Canadian Pro-Wrestling Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.