?Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com

On Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 2:12 AM EST

Dave Meltzer of WrestlingObserver.com is reporting that referee Earl Hebner, who is considered one of the most known referees in United States pro wrestling history, was fired by World Wrestling Entertainment earlier today for allegedly selling merchandise without authorization. Any reports indicating that Dave Hebner was fired as well are incorrect at this point, although he is believed to have been involved with the situatuion and was only disciplined by the company.

Hebner has been with the WWF/WWE since 1988 and went on to become one of the most famous referees in pro wrestling history following the 1997 Survivor Series incident between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels where he ordered the bell to be rung on Hart. Since that incident took place 8 years ago, Hebner was believed to have been the highest paid referee in the history of pro wrestling as a reward for choosing to do what the company asked of him after promising to Hart (who was one of his best friends in the company) himself he would never do anything of the sort.

We hope to have more on this developing situation.