WWE has long utilized “special guest referees” during important storyline matches or big events to add to the drama of said match.WWE 2K24allows you to step into the action as a referee, controlling the pinfall count, DQ’ing wrestlers, and warning competitors if they’re stepping out of line.

However, if you do a poor job, you may be relegated to the role of a manager, or even booted out of the match entirely. This guide will cover this new match type in this year’s edition of the WWE video game and everything players can and can’t do as the special guest referee.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin begins the pinfall count in a match between Wes Lee and LA Knight in WWE 2K24.

Special Guest Referee Match Basics

In the Play menu, select a One-on-One Match and change the type to ‘Special Guest Referee’.

This mode is only available in One-on-One matches.

On the wrestler selection screen, the middle box is for the referee. Make sure youchoose that person first. The Special Guest Referee does not have to be the same gender as the wrestlers.

Once the match begins, you havefull control over the referee’s movements and decisions. You can run around the ring, exit the ring, and even get in the way of the competitors.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin checks for a submission in a match between LA Knight and Wes Lee in WWE 2K24.

What You Can Do In Special Guest Referee Matches?

The referee’s most important job is tocount pinfalls, check for submissions, call for rope breaks, and ensure there are no shenanigans taking place.

Don’t worry, button prompts will show up on the screen to help you along.

A WWE referee tosses “Stone Cold” Steve Austin out of a match in WWE 2K24.

Throughout the match, the commentary team will remark on your performance, calling your pinfall counts “fair” or “too slow”, or saying that you are too biased.

You can interfere in the match itself byswitching off Special Guest Referee modewithin the match and leave the ring, attack one of the competitors, or simply play it up for the crowd.

But remember that this will affect your performance and may contribute to you getting kicked out of the match.

There is no winning as a Special Guest Referee, but yoursuccess is tracked by a status bar in the top leftcorner of the screen.The bar will get longeras you referee a match fairly.

For example, a proper count or warning opponents about illegal maneuvers will fill the bar up. However,if you interfere in the match— say, by striking one of the wrestlers or doing a count too slow or too quick —the bar will grow shorter.

If your status bar goes empty, you will begiven a warning that a new refereewill soon be entering the match to replace you. The referee will come down and kick you out of the ring, making you a Manager.

Once you are a Manager, you maycheer on a wrestler or get the crowd pumped up. But like any Manager, youcan also interfere in the match. If the referee catches you,you will be kicked out.