TREИDNG PROFILES: Steve Dean - The Man in the Middle of the Madness

In the brutal, blood-stained world of Kumite Combat Wrestling, where glass shatters, light tubes explode, and bodies are pushed to their limits, one man keeps the chaos in check – and sometimes becomes part of it himself. That man is Steve Dean, a referee who’s earned cult-like status among fans for his fearless approach inside the ring and his unwavering passion for the craft.

If you’ve ever been to a Kumite show, chances are you’ve seen the crowd chanting his name – “Steve! Steve! Steve!” – as he ducks flying shards and scrambles through pools of glass to keep the action going. I’ve witnessed it myself more than once. He’s not your average referee standing neatly in the background; he’s a key player in the drama, as much a part of the storytelling as the wrestlers themselves. At one recent event, Dean even became part of the violence when a strip light exploded across his back, taking him out of the match entirely. It’s a testament to how deeply he throws himself – quite literally – into his work.

From Derby to the Deathmatch

Steve Dean’s story starts in Derby, where he’s been based since 2005 after moving there for university. “I moved here in 2005 for university, met the girl who would become my wife and just wound up staying,” he explains. Derby might not have shaped his refereeing career directly, but being local opened the door to the East Midlands wrestling scene. “I found out about House of Pain Wrestling in Nottingham which was run by Stixx, who at the time I started training in 2012 was among the top stars in the UK, so that was the place for me. In time Malachi and Fletch would start Kumite, and having known them and being local to them, I became the guy they asked to referee for them.”

And that’s how his unlikely journey into one of Britain’s most violent and visceral wrestling promotions began.

The Magician’s Assistant

Ask Steve what it means to be a wrestling referee, and he’ll tell you it’s a far cry from just counting to three. “I’m the magician’s assistant, the health and safety officer, timekeeper, messenger, and frontline medic all in one,” he says. “As part of Deathmatch, I’m especially responsible for the wrestlers’ safety, stomping and sweeping glass as much and as quickly as possible to minimise any further risk.”

It’s a role that demands both precision and empathy. The referee is the invisible glue that holds each bout together, managing timing, communication, and safety in a space where chaos reigns supreme. And in Deathmatch – with its barbed wire, thumbtacks, and fluorescent tubes – that responsibility multiplies. “When Malachi and Fletch asked me to be part of Kumite, I was scared as hell,” Steve admits. “I basically said I’ll do the first one, see how I feel and we can take it from there. But once again, I fell in love with it.”

That love has carried him through nearly a decade of matches, both in Derby and across the country, building a reputation as one of the UK’s most respected referees in the hardcore scene.

Moments That Matter

Over the years, Steve has collected a wealth of unforgettable experiences. His eyes light up when he talks about them – each one a story stitched into the fabric of his wrestling life. “My first show as a referee was at Blackpool Tower Circus,” he recalls. “It wasn’t a massive turnout, but as far as I was concerned, there could have been 20 or 20,000. Just the history of the place hits you and you can visualise it bigger than it is.”

There’s also the electric night at the Barnsley Metrodome, where over a thousand fans created a wall of noise. “They never let up and were red hot all night,” he says. “It made for such an amazing atmosphere.” Then there was a much more personal milestone – refereeing ringside for his wife, Harley Harris, during a cage match. “It was such an out-of-body experience,” he says, smiling. “Part of me is ringside playing the role, but another part felt like I was watching top-down in a Talking Heads moment of ‘how did I get here?’ and being immensely proud of my wife.”

But one moment stands above the rest – crowning Alton Thorne as Kumite’s Death Wolf Champion. “Every title change I get to officiate is special,” Steve explains. “It’s either telling a chapter of a story, a pat on the back, or warranted… and this checked all those boxes. Alton was treated as an outsider when he entered the world of Deathmatch. He fought for acceptance and legitimacy and to show the scene he was here to stay. When he finally got that moment, I was so happy for him. I shed a tear or two, I have no shame in admitting that.”

It’s these moments – big or small, personal or professional – that keep Steve passionate about what he does.

Fighting Self-Doubt

But behind the chants and adrenaline, there’s a quieter struggle that Steve faces – one shared by many in the wrestling world. “Self-doubt,” he says simply when asked about his biggest challenge. “I struggle with a few mental health issues as it is, so it’s very easy to feel like you’re not good enough because you see others getting opportunities or being ignored by promotions you’ve worked for before… when in most instances, it’s just a timing thing.”

Learning to accept that has been a huge step for him, and one that’s shaped how he views success. “I want everyone involved in wrestling, refereeing especially, to be as successful as possible,” he adds. “Take every opportunity no matter how small it may be because you never know who’s watching and can get you that next step.”

Learning Through the Chaos

Steve’s approach to refereeing has evolved naturally over time – through experience, observation, and pure trial by fire. “I learned about refereeing on the job, then would have things pointed out to me after the fact, so I would act on feedback,” he explains. “In time I would seek out my own learning and reach out to those in positions I want to be in for advice ahead of time, like referees on TV for their insight.”

His philosophy remains grounded: “Always do your best to be your best and be the most useful person in the room – be it for advice, input, or just happening to have an iPhone charger.”

It’s that mix of humour, humility and hard work that’s made him one of the most respected figures in the Midlands wrestling scene.

What’s Next for Steve Dean

These days, Steve is focusing on improving himself – both physically and mentally. “I’m learning to let go of the things out of my control,” he says. “As I get older, I’m just trying to keep my body working as I put it through a lot wrestling and refereeing. All I can do is my best, let whatever happens happen, and take advantage of any opportunities that come my way.”

He hopes fans and aspiring referees alike take away one message from his journey: that being a referee is as vital and complex as any role in wrestling. “We’re juggling and spinning plates at the same time whilst also making sure we’re present and part of the performance,” he says. “I’ve given a lot of myself for nearly a decade to refereeing, so I hope my passion for it comes through.”

And it certainly does. Watching Steve Dean work is like watching a conductor guide an orchestra through chaos – every motion purposeful, every shout carrying authority, every dive into broken glass done with care and courage. He’s the calm within the storm, and sometimes, the storm itself.

For those wanting to follow his journey, Steve’s work can be found on Instagram at @stevedeanrefs for refereeing and @tjdeanwrestles for his wrestling career.

Because in the unpredictable, blood-soaked theatre of Deathmatch wrestling, Steve Dean isn’t just the man in stripes – he’s the heartbeat of the ring.