Scott Armstrong Joseph James , Jr . ( May 4 , 1959 ) is a professional wrestler and referee better known as Scott Armstrong . He is currently under contract to World Wrestling Entertainment . He is the oldest son of Bob Armstrong and has three brothers that wrestle , Brad , Steve and Brian . Professional wrestling career . Early career . James started wrestling in 1983 as " Scott Armstrong " . He wrestled primarily in the Georgia and Alabama areas but has wrestled for the National Wrestling Alliance ' s Jim Crockett Promotions and World Championship Wrestling ( WCW ) , where he formed a tag team called " The James Boys " with brother Steve . He worked in WCW from 1992 until 2001 , beginning as a wrestler and spending the last year as a referee . He also wrestled as Dixie Dy - no - mite in Smoky Mountain Wrestling . He was also a referee for World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . World Wrestling Entertainment ( 2006 – 2010 ) . Armstrong appeared on the July 28 , 2006 episode of World Wrestling Entertainment ' s " SmackDown ! " refereeing the WWE United States Championship match between Finlay and William Regal . In August 2006 , Armstrong was hired as a full - time WWE referee , in WWE ' s ECW brand . He became senior referee in February 2007 after Mickie Henson was moved to SmackDown . He was also the only WWE referee for the ECW brand at WrestleMania XXIV . At WWE ' s SummerSlam pay - per - view event on August 17 , 2008 , Armstrong refereed the Hell in a Cell match between Edge and The Undertaker . He then moved to the SmackDown brand becoming its senior official . In November 2008 referees were made no longer exclusive to certain brands . At WrestleMania XXV on April 5 , 2009 , Armstrong refereed the main event WWE Championship match between Triple H and Randy Orton . On September 13 , 2009 , at Breaking Point , Armstrong was involved in a controversial call on the main event match between World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and The Undertaker . Armstrong called for the bell and declared Punk the winner , even though The Undertaker never actually submitted defeat , thus making a reference to the Montreal Screwjob ( which was held in the same venue in 1997 ) . On October 30 , 2009 , Armstrong faced CM Punk on " SmackDown " , but lost in a squash match . The next week , Armstrong fast - counted for R - Truth in his match with Punk , costing Punk the match . On February 26 , 2010 , Armstrong was released from his WWE contract . Return to World Wrestling Entertainment ( 2011 – present ) . On February 20 , 2011 , Armstrong reappeared on WWE programming as the referee for the main event during the Elimination Chamber PPV . He officiated the Undertaker vs . Triple H match at Wrestlemania XXVII as well as the match between John Cena and CM Punk match for the WWE Championship at Money in the Bank 2011 . He returned to Friday Night Smackdown on August 5 , 2011 , refereeing the match between The Great Khali and Sheamus . On September 18 , 2011 at Night of Champions Armstrong officiated the main event between Triple H and CM Punk . During a run - in , The Miz and R - Truth verbally abused him , to which Armstrong retaliated by punching The Miz in the face before being beaten down by the two . On August 19 , 2012 at SummerSlam , Armstrong officiated the match between Triple H and Brock Lesnar in which Triple H told him not to stop the match . On Survivor Series , he was accidentally Brogue kicked by Sheamus when he attacked Heavyweight Champion Big Show , costing Sheamus to lose via DQ . At Night of Champions , Armstrong officiated the WWE Championship match between Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton , and made a fast 3 - count in favor of Bryan to allow him to win the championship . He was fired ( Kayfabe ) the next night for his actions , shortly after Bryan was stripped of the title . Armstrong reappeared at WrestleMania XXX during the Triple Threat Match between Bryan , Batista and Orton when The Authority attempted to screw Bryan out of the championship , but got kicked out by Bryan . He later reappeared at 2014 ' s Survivor Series but was struck down by a debuting Sting . He then appeared on the first Raw of 2016 during the title match between Roman Reigns and Sheamus by assisting Sheamus and The Authority , but failed to , as he was Superman Punched by Roman Reigns . Personal life . James is married to Michelle and has two children . In 2008 , he helped raise money for The Zoo Northwest Florida ( now Gulf Breeze Zoo ) after it suffered damage from Hurricane Ivan .