Hebner debuted as a professional wrestling referee in the late 1970s in the Richmond, Virginia area. In 1986, he began working for the World Wrestling Federation, where he refereed many historic matches such as Randy Savage versus Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania III and Randy Savage versus Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania V.
In July 2016, Hebner was named part of a class action lawsuit filed against WWE which alleged that performers incurred "long term neurological injuries" and that the company "routinely failed to care" for them and "fraudulently misrepresented and concealed" the nature and extent of those injuries.
Hebner served as the referee for Randy Savage and Rickey Steamboat’s match at WrestleMania III and the match between Savage and Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania V. WWE also noted one famous moment between Hebner and his brother that took place in 1988.
"Hebner and his brother Earl helped author one of the most memorable moments in WWE history when Andre The Giant and Hogan met on WWE Main Event for the WWE Title in 1988. With Dave locked in a closet, Earl and ‘Million Dollar Man’ Ted DiBiase laid a trap for The Hulkster. As Dave joined Earl in the ring, he had the befuddled Hogan seeing double in disbelief," the company said.
"WWE extends its condolences to Hebner’s family, friends and fans," the company said. The details around Dave Hebner’s death were unclear. Earl Hebner tweeted about Dave’s passing.