Growing up, Marty Elias didn’t much care for having to babysit his younger brothers, who always had the television tuned to their favorite wrestlers. “I ended up having to watch Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat and Bruno Sammartino along with them,” said the WWE referee. “Eventually, I became a huge fan.”
It didn’t take long before the teenager felt compelled to witness the action up close. “My first live event was like a rock concert,” recalled Elias. “I wanted to be a rock star. Unfortunately, when you’re broke, you don’t have the income to [buy equipment].”
But Elias’ continued fascination with sports-entertainment led him to attend independent wrestling shows in his native southern California, where he talked to promoters and asked how he could break into the business. After setting up chairs and selling tickets at venues for a while, Elias began training to be a wrestler. “But I’m not 6-foot-8, 380 pounds,” explained the 5-foot-9-inch, 180-pounder. “So, I said, ‘What can I do to contribute to this business?’”
Elias eventually trained to be a referee and approached promoter Jessie Hernandez, who told him about a show in Parker, Ariz. The newly-trained referee was so determined to be a part of the business that he drove some four hours to the small show and refereed two matches for no money. “I was always learning,” said Elias. “I’m still always asking questions, always wanting to learn more.”
He’s certainly come a long way. Growing up, the Elias’s father served 12 years in prison while he and his six siblings lived with his struggling single mom. “We grew up on food stamps and welfare,” he recalled.
Nowadays, Elias says he enjoys giving back to kids who grew up like he did. “One of the things I really love to do is go to youth centers and hand out WWE memorabilia,” he said. “It’s very gratifying to give back to kids who are down and don’t really have role models.”
When he talks to children, Elias said he emphasizes how important it is to never give up on your goals. He is living his dream as an official in WWE.
“You get people who laugh at you and tell you you’re dreaming,” said Elias. “But regardless of who you are, and what your background is, dreams do come true. I’m living proof.”