[EmpireWF]

Tuesday (tomorrow), the state of Georgia's Athletic and Entertainment Commission will hold a hearing on proposed new rules for pro wrestling events.

This hearing will bring promoters of all kind to the podium due to some weird potential rule adaptions and worries that independent companies would be forced to stop running Georgia. Some rule proposals call for requirements that just wouldn't be financially feasible for independent promotions. First of all, some of the legit rules being proposed for pro wrestling, which it labels as a sport:

-Wrestlers may not purposely cut (blade) themselves
-Nobody under 18 is allowed anywhere in the arena besides their seat, unless accompanied by their guardian
-No physical or verbal threat may be directed at the audience
-Specifies wrestlers "equipment" such as being able to wear two pairs of trunks, no lotion or grease on the body, inspector may prohibit a wrestler from working if their attire doesn't match standards

-Contestants shall have their fingernails trimmed (seriously)
-wrestling match have a maximum time limit of 60 minutes
(then it literally breaks down the rules of a wrestling match, specifying how a match must begin, how a fall is counted and the authority of the ref)

-no use of a foreign object with the intent to lacerate oneself or the opponent
-intent to use a foreign object or prop must be approved by the Commission
-specifies the legality of a tag in a tag team match (seriously)


However, the two big issues revolve around cost to the promoters:

1) Promoter must pay a 5% gross of the event, based on ticket sales.
2) An ambulance with 2 EMTs is required at ringside, at the expense of the promoter

Now it would be tremendous if #2 could be done realistically at every event. But it's not feasible for every indy show to fork the cash over to pay for an ambulance AND two EMTs. Most notify a local hospital that a show is taking place, just in case a serious injury occurs. As far as WWE goes, if they consider the potential changes to be too much of a nuisance, they probably won't run Georgia anymore. Or if they do, maybe once a year, then pay whatever fines they get for breaking any "rules" (that happened in Kentucky last year).


So tomorrow will be an interesting day in the world of pro wrestling in Georgia.

[Quality88]

I don't think that will fly.

[Lefty Noob]

Oh my. Wow. Doesn't the Georgia athletic commission have anything better to do than THIS?

If they do pass these ridiculous rules, I bet you Georgia doesn't get to host any more wrestling cards in the future.

[3fanforever]

Just found this over on Dave Meltzer's site. Very interesting read if your interested.

Wrestling Observer - headlines

[EmpireWF]

The Atlanta Journal Constitution has a story up about WWE threatening to stop running shows in Georgia if the proposed rules are passed.

The story has quotes from Michael Benoit, father of Chris. Michael's attorney is on the Georgia Athletic board. They criticize WWE for threatening to run away from the state if they regulate the sport. They paint it as WWE not taking care of their wrestlers.

HOWEVER, the rules proposed have nothing to do with safety for WWE guys. WWE already has ambulances/doctors on the scene and take care of their guys in that regard.

The rules would affect the smaller groups who run in the state.

[EmpireWF]

Reports say the hearings concluded today. Pro Wrestling Insider reported the following:

The hearing of the proposed regulation of professional wrestling by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission has concluded for today. The end result was that the Commission will take an additional sixty days to meet with a group of local promoters to try and work with them on how to institute new rules without decimating the independent scene. TNA's Bill Behrens, Mr. Hughes, Rocky King, and Thunderbolt Patterson were among some of the people who addressed the Commission. WWE also had an attorney present but he did not address the Commission.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Oh my. Wow. Doesn't the Georgia athletic commission have anything better to do than THIS?

If they do pass these ridiculous rules, I bet you Georgia doesn't get to host any more wrestling cards in the future.

Is it pro Wrestling or Ballet?...I mean, no foreign objects? What's the point?

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

The Atlanta Journal Constitution has a story up about WWE threatening to stop running shows in Georgia if the proposed rules are passed.

The story has quotes from Michael Benoit, father of Chris. Michael's attorney is on the Georgia Athletic board. They criticize WWE for threatening to run away from the state if they regulate the sport. They paint it as WWE not taking care of their wrestlers.

HOWEVER, the rules proposed have nothing to do with safety for WWE guys. WWE already has ambulances/doctors on the scene and take care of their guys in that regard.

The rules would affect the smaller groups who run in the state.

WWE does take care of it's wrestlers. Medical staff that goes with each group, emt's and ambulances. They just need to focus on the steroid issues and clean that up pronto.