Former WWE referee Mike Chioda made his debut for AEW tonight, refereeing two matches.

Choida was introduced during introductions for the TNT title match between champion Cody and challenger Scorpio Sky. Cody retained the championship in a back and forth match, pinning Sky after a second crossroads.

Later in the show, Chris Jericho met with Chioda and said that many years ago, Jericho had saved his job. He wanted him to referee his match against Orange Cassidy, saying that when he gave Chioda the signal, he would “call it down the middle”.

This later played into the finish of the main event. Jericho took out a steel bat and told Chioda to look the other way. Choida refused. Jericho ended up losing the match after Cassidy pinned him with a mouse trap pin.

Chioda had been with the WWE since 1989, working as a referee. When he was released by WWE in April, he had been with the promotion for 31 years.