New proposal for wrestling commission in Georgia

[Jingus]

Remember the stories about Georgia trying to create new athletic commission rules to oversee wrestling? Well, they're here. I understand how they feel the need to take action since Benoit lived there and all, but these rules show either a very shallow knowledge of pro graps, or it's a calculated attempt to put wrestling out of business forever in that state.

 

 

Some of the highlights:

 

-a "surety bond" of at least $10,000 must be filed before each and every show

 

-the commission gets paid 5% of all ticket sales

 

-a doctor, two EMTs, and an ambulance must be on hand at all times throughout the show; the promotion has to pay for it all

 

-no blading or any other sort of cutting themselves, I assume this includes stuff like hardcore deathmatches

 

-nobody under the age of 18 can work on the show, and everyone under 18 in the bulding must be accompanied by a guardian

 

-the commission may send a representative to monitor the show, and the promotion must pay them $100

 

-all card changes and/or substitutions must be announced both in writing at the ticket window and by the ring announcer before the first match; anyone who wants a refund because of changes is entitled to one

 

-the wrestlers can't verbally threaten the crowd

 

-no brawling in the crowd, all wrestling must be in or around the ring

 

-Dress codes! Every wrestler's gear must be "clean", wrestlers "may wear two pairs of trunks, one on top of the other", and there's some weird restrictions on boots. Wrestlers are forbidden to have grease or lotion on their bodies, and must trim their fingernails. The commission representative can disqualify a wrestler and stop the match if these conditions aren't perfect.

 

-The promotion must provide professional heavy-duty barricades, at their own expense.

 

-60 minute time limits for every match. Exceptions have to be cleared by the commission.

 

-Every match winner will be determined by pinfalls, either one or 2/3. Submissions and other methods of winning are not addressed. According to the rules, to be pinned a wrestler must have his shoulders down for exactly three seconds, and the referee signals a pinfall by slapping the mat once like in amateur wrestling.

 

-Heels rejoice: you now have a 10-count instead of a 5 to break illegal holds.

 

-The rope break rules are now like MMA, where the clock is stopped while both contestants stand up and return to the middle of the ring.

 

-Covering the nose and mouth simultaneously is banned. WTF?

 

-Wrestlers are forbidden to use any "unsportsmanlike or physically dangerous conduct". Sorry heels, no rejoicing.

 

-Blading is still illegal (yes, they mention this again), but they specifically say that FAKE BLOOD~! is okay.

 

-Using any foreign object or prop of any kind requires getting approval from the commission ahead of time, including the dreaded FAKE BLOOD~!.

 

-Double-teaming in tag matches is strictly forbidden and grounds for immediate DQ. Tag ropes are required.

 

-Managers and valets are allowed... as long as they stay "outside the ring enclosure", that is, NOT AT RINGSIDE.

 

-If anyone or anything gets fucked up, it's all the promoter's fault.

 

 

The rules are precisely set down to define exactly what is allowed to happen, and it appears that straight-up singles or tag matches are the only kind allowed, with pinfalls or DQs being the only way to end a match, countouts and submissions aren't mentioned. It says nothing about three-ways, ladder matches, six-man-or-bigger tags, battle royals, or any kind of gimmick match at all, from a simple no-DQ on down.

 

So, question: was this set up by some geriatric idiots who fondly look back upon the golden days of wrestling in the 50s, or is this a blatant attempt to keep any professional wrestling show to ever run in the state of Georgia again?

 

 

EDIT: oh yeah, this hasn't officially passed yet, the final hearing is on December 18th. Any written correspondance about the subject must be received before December 11th.

[Bix]

These are new rules for an existing commission, right? Are they working on closing the ridiculous exemption that WWE gets?

 

-a "surety bond" of at least $10,000 must be filed before each and every show

Will mess with a lot of promotions, but not actually a bad idea. A sliding scale of some sort would be better.

 

-the commission gets paid 5% of all ticket sales

Not a surprise.

 

-a doctor, two EMTs, and an ambulance must be on hand at all times throughout the show; the promotion has to pay for it all

Again will be a big expense, but there's nothing wrong with this rule.

 

-no blading or any other sort of cutting themselves, I assume this includes stuff like hardcore deathmatches

People will swear it's hardway-unless the doctor has to examine it all.

 

-nobody under the age of 18 can work on the show, and everyone under 18 in the bulding must be accompanied by a guardian

Former good, latter ridiculous w/ older teens.

 

-the commission may send a representative to monitor the show, and the promotion must pay them $100

I don't see the point if it's optional. If it's a matter of having him as a witness, just tape your show.

 

-all card changes and/or substitutions must be announced both in writing at the ticket window and by the ring announcer before the first match; anyone who wants a refund because of changes is entitled to one

This is good.

 

-the wrestlers can't verbally threaten the crowd

Kinda ridiculous, but I can see how they'd want it there for legal reasons.

 

-no brawling in the crowd, all wrestling must be in or around the ring

Nothing really wrong with this.

 

-Dress codes! Every wrestler's gear must be "clean", wrestlers "may wear two pairs of trunks, one on top of the other", and there's some weird restrictions on boots. Wrestlers are forbidden to have grease or lotion on their bodies, and must trim their fingernails. The commission representative can disqualify a wrestler and stop the match if these conditions aren't perfect.

Seems more like common sense than anything.

 

-The promotion must provide professional heavy-duty barricades, at their own expense.

They have this in NY. A one-time expense, not a gigantic deal.

 

-60 minute time limits for every match. Exceptions have to be cleared by the commission.

What? Why?

 

To clarify, it says 60 minutes is the MAXIMUM time limit, so lower is ok while more/none would be bad.

 

-Every match winner will be determined by pinfalls, either one or 2/3. Submissions and other methods of winning are not addressed. According to the rules, to be pinned a wrestler must have his shoulders down for exactly three seconds, and the referee signals a pinfall by slapping the mat once like in amateur wrestling.

Well, things are certainly starting to sound very fishy now. Let's kill every match's heat!

 

-Heels rejoice: you now have a 10-count instead of a 5 to break illegal holds.

Will the ref be fined if he enforces a 5 count?

 

-The rope break rules are now like MMA, where the clock is stopped while both contestants stand up and return to the middle of the ring.

More heat killing.

 

-Covering the nose and mouth simultaneously is banned. WTF?

Crippler Crossgate fallout? Seriously.

 

-Wrestlers are forbidden to use any "unsportsmanlike or physically dangerous conduct". Sorry heels, no rejoicing.

Heat killing part 3.

 

-Blading is still illegal (yes, they mention this again), but they specifically say that FAKE BLOOD~! is okay.

Cue lots of condom biting and internal bleeding angles.

 

-Using any foreign object or prop of any kind requires getting approval from the commission ahead of time, including the dreaded FAKE BLOOD~!.

I get requiring approval for weapon shots. But for fake blood?

 

-Double-teaming in tag matches is strictly forbidden and grounds for immediate DQ. Tag ropes are required.

 

-Managers and valets are allowed... as long as they stay "outside the ring enclosure", that is, NOT AT RINGSIDE.

Heat killing parts 4 & 5.

 

-If anyone or anything gets fucked up, it's all the promoter's fault.

I guess this is so the wrestler and promoter can't each claim the other is at fault.

 

The rules are precisely set down to define exactly what is allowed to happen, and it appears that straight-up singles or tag matches are the only kind allowed, with pinfalls or DQs being the only way to end a match, countouts and submissions aren't mentioned. It says nothing about three-ways, ladder matches, six-man-or-bigger tags, battle royals, or any kind of gimmick match at all, from a simple no-DQ on down.

Stupid question: Could someone run shoots under these rules?

 

So, question: was this set up by some geriatric idiots who fondly look back upon the golden days of wrestling in the 50s, or is this a blatant attempt to keep any professional wrestling show to ever run in the state of Georgia again?

The heat-killing rules make it seem like the latter.

[Jingus]

These are new rules for an existing commission, right? Are they working on closing the ridiculous exemption that WWE gets?

Georgia certainly has a commission which oversees all the various legit athletics in that state, but I don't know if the same people will be involved with the wrestling commission. As for the WWE, don't know the answer to that one either, but with these ridiculous rules either they'll be exempt or simply never run shows in Georgia again.

 

-a "surety bond" of at least $10,000 must be filed before each and every show

Will mess with a lot of promotions, but not actually a bad idea. A sliding scale of some sort would be better.

 

-a doctor, two EMTs, and an ambulance must be on hand at all times throughout the show; the promotion has to pay for it all

Again will be a big expense, but there's nothing wrong with this rule.

Maybe I spent too much time in zero-budget Tennessee promotions, but those are HUGE expenses for a wrestling show. The majority of them don't even turn a profit, and are funded by the promoter's day job salary. But still, $10K per show and paying for a full security and medical staff, I doubt even Deep South had the budget for that back when it was developmental. NWA Anarchy surely couldn't afford that, and every other fed in the state is even smaller. It would effectively make it impossible to run a show unless you had some high-rolling investor, and those are pretty rare. You'd also have to sell a massive number of tickets to begin to make up for the cost of it all, it would take an ROH-sized crowd just to break even.

 

It would be nice to have a doctor at every show, sure, but it costs way too much to be feasible for anything smaller than a national promotion. And the ambulance?! I've been to a few shows way in the backwoods of cracker-ass Georgia which aren't anywhere near a hospital, so I'd like to know exactly how that's supposed to work.

 

-all card changes and/or substitutions must be announced both in writing at the ticket window and by the ring announcer before the first match; anyone who wants a refund because of changes is entitled to one

This is good.

Firstly, shows could get around it by just not advertising specific matches, except for the main event or whatever. Secondly, lots of these substitutions are caused by no-shows, and so much of the time wrestlers are travelling long distances and don't even get to the building before the show starts, so in practice this one becomes kinda hard to obey.

 

-Dress codes! Every wrestler's gear must be "clean", wrestlers "may wear two pairs of trunks, one on top of the other", and there's some weird restrictions on boots. Wrestlers are forbidden to have grease or lotion on their bodies, and must trim their fingernails. The commission representative can disqualify a wrestler and stop the match if these conditions aren't perfect.

Seems more like common sense than anything.

Read it again, man. These rules are literally taking wrestling back to the 1920s. If I understand this right, and I don't see much room for interpretation, wrestlers are only allowed to wear tights, and nothing else. Just tights and traditional wrestling boots, except for female wrestlers who are required by the rules to wear tops. I assume this means that anyone not wearing tights and boots will be barred from competing. So, on your show you booked Dusty Rhodes, the Hardy boyz, Homicide, Abdullah the Butcher, or any one of the several billion other guys who don't wear traditional wrestling gear? Fuck you, the GA State Athletic Commission says those amateurs must either put on the stretchy pants or go home! Also, I don't get the point of banning grease and lotion, this ain't a Hackenschmidt situation, practically every muscular type uses that stuff to show off/

 

-The promotion must provide professional heavy-duty barricades, at their own expense.

They have this in NY. A one-time expense, not a gigantic deal.

It's still unnecessary and impractical on smaller shows. Especially since the odd rules state that the barriers must be at least six feet from the ring, and the front row must be at least four feet from the barriers. In a smaller building, that destroys a lot of valuable seating space, plus I guarantee that you'll get a bunch of idiots standing up and leaning on the barriers anyway and there will be kids running around in the gap, and if security yells at them to stop it just makes the promotion seem like they're being assholes to the fans.

 

-Using any foreign object or prop of any kind requires getting approval from the commission ahead of time, including the dreaded FAKE BLOOD~!.

I get requiring approval for weapon shots. But for fake blood?

I literally don't think I've ever been to a single wrestling show which didn't feature at least one foreign object or weapon shot. It's dumb to have to notify the commission in advance every single time someone goes to grab a chair. That requires scripting out the matches to a ridiculous degree, and will actually hurt veterans in the long run, since they improvise so much more than the kids who call the whole match in the back. Especially since probably half the wrestlers in the country who are either stupid, rebellious, impulsive, or just plain forgetful enough to use a weapon anyway, and yet the promoter will get blamed for it.

 

The rules are precisely set down to define exactly what is allowed to happen, and it appears that straight-up singles or tag matches are the only kind allowed, with pinfalls or DQs being the only way to end a match, countouts and submissions aren't mentioned. It says nothing about three-ways, ladder matches, six-man-or-bigger tags, battle royals, or any kind of gimmick match at all, from a simple no-DQ on down.

Stupid question: Could someone run shoots under these rules?

In theory, yeah, you could. Except for the bizarre parts about FAKE BLOOD~! and asking permission for weapons shots, these rules seem like they're actually designed for a shoot contest anyway.

[sek69]

Yeah this reads as either them attempting to end pro wrestling of any sort in GA, or that whoever came up with these rules hasn't been smartened up to the business.

 

I don't think these rules will pass since it would make them look like a whole state full of rubes who think wrestling is real.

[JHawk]

Some of the highlights:

 

-a "surety bond" of at least $10,000 must be filed before each and every show

 

As long as the promoter gets it back after the show, not a bad idea. Avoids last-minute cancellations...

 

-the commission gets paid 5% of all ticket sales

 

Crap, but most commissions have a similar rule

 

-a doctor, two EMTs, and an ambulance must be on hand at all times throughout the show; the promotion has to pay for it all

 

Most feds can't afford it but I like the idea on paper

 

-no blading or any other sort of cutting themselves, I assume this includes stuff like hardcore deathmatches

 

Health issue there, not only with the possibility of going into shock, but also AIDS, etc.

 

-nobody under the age of 18 can work on the show, and everyone under 18 in the bulding must be accompanied by a guardian

 

The former should be common sense. The latter is stupid and should be lowered at least to the state's legal driving age.

 

-the commission may send a representative to monitor the show, and the promotion must pay them $100

 

At the promotion's request? Fine. But the way this is worded, it sounds like it's at the whim of the commission, which means it's not optional for the promotion and as such complete and utter bullshit. If you're sending the commission representative, you should pay them. The promotion shouldn't be responsible for paying your representative.

 

-all card changes and/or substitutions must be announced both in writing at the ticket window and by the ring announcer before the first match; anyone who wants a refund because of changes is entitled to one

 

Excellent, but if the fan waits longer than two matches they should lose the right to the refund.

 

-the wrestlers can't verbally threaten the crowd

 

So much for Team 3D getting heel heat in Georgia

 

-no brawling in the crowd, all wrestling must be in or around the ring

 

No problem. Fan safety issue

 

-Dress codes! Every wrestler's gear must be "clean", wrestlers "may wear two pairs of trunks, one on top of the other", and there's some weird restrictions on boots. Wrestlers are forbidden to have grease or lotion on their bodies, and must trim their fingernails. The commission representative can disqualify a wrestler and stop the match if these conditions aren't perfect.

 

Christ, 90% of WWE's roster can't work in Georgia with those guidelines.

 

-The promotion must provide professional heavy-duty barricades, at their own expense.

 

As already mentioned, it's a onetime expense, and it's a fan safety issue, and a wrestler safety issue as well.

 

-60 minute time limits for every match. Exceptions have to be cleared by the commission.

 

How many matches (outside of the Royal Rumble) are going more than 60 minutes anyway?

 

-Every match winner will be determined by pinfalls, either one or 2/3. Submissions and other methods of winning are not addressed. According to the rules, to be pinned a wrestler must have his shoulders down for exactly three seconds, and the referee signals a pinfall by slapping the mat once like in amateur wrestling.

 

So we're changing the one rule that's been in pro wrestling for over 100 years? Nice.

 

-Heels rejoice: you now have a 10-count instead of a 5 to break illegal holds.

 

Wow.

 

-The rope break rules are now like MMA, where the clock is stopped while both contestants stand up and return to the middle of the ring.

 

Other than stopping the clock, that's the kayfabe rule in place anyway, even though it's never enforced.

 

-Covering the nose and mouth simultaneously is banned. WTF?

 

That's also the kayfabe rule. Remember Rude-Steamboat from Royal Rumble 88 where Vince and Jesse spent over a minute debating the legality of a chinlock because Steamboat wasn't able to breathe.

 

-Wrestlers are forbidden to use any "unsportsmanlike or physically dangerous conduct". Sorry heels, no rejoicing.

 

That is soooooooooooooooo vague and seems to ban illegal moves, a contradiction of the previous 10-count rule.

 

-Blading is still illegal (yes, they mention this again), but they specifically say that FAKE BLOOD~! is okay.

 

Does that mean you can win a first blood match by pouring ketchup on your opponent? Oh wait, pinfalls only. Sorry.

 

-Using any foreign object or prop of any kind requires getting approval from the commission ahead of time, including the dreaded FAKE BLOOD~!.

 

Get ready for the nerf bat on a pole match!

 

-Double-teaming in tag matches is strictly forbidden and grounds for immediate DQ. Tag ropes are required.

 

Wouldn't that also fall under the 10-count rule though? My head's starting to hurt.

 

-Managers and valets are allowed... as long as they stay "outside the ring enclosure", that is, NOT AT RINGSIDE.

 

If managers meant anything in today's wrestling, that might piss me off.

 

-If anyone or anything gets fucked up, it's all the promoter's fault.

 

So if a wrestler chooses to break one of the rules and doesn't tell the promoter, the promoter's liable for it? So much for Teddy Hart ever working in Georgia.

[Loss]

ROH would actually excel under these conditions. They should start doing shows in Georgia. Might affect Danielson's "I have until five" stuff though.

[Jingus]

The plot thickens: Benoit's father's lawyer, Cary Ichter, is one of the five commissioners named on this new board.

[Bix]

It's not a new board. It's an existing board w/ new rules being proposed.

[Jingus]

Here's a response from Bill Behrens, along with a letter he wrote to the GA commission. Bill overstates the choreographed and non-combative nature of wrestling quite a bit, but I can't really blame him under the circumstances. He also goes into specific detail about an aborted attempt to regulate wrestling in Georgia a few years ago, which I only vaguely remember, and how the laws passed then affect the current situation. He makes a decent case that the Commission shouldn't have jurisdiction to make some of the rules it's trying to.

 

Below is the letter I wrote to Kelly Farr concerning the regulations proposed by the Georgia Commission he heads.

 

 

I met with Mr. Farr. The commission did nearly all of it's "due diligence" outside the state of Georgia, rather than learning what, if any, problems exist in the State Of Georgia. The rules proposed were picked at random from rules in Pennsylvania, Missouri, & Kentucky even though in those states some of the rules were passed as law or were created by commissions in those states based on specific law that allowed such rules. The Georgia commission is interpreting the Georgia Law as granting them sweeping powers, which a reading of the law suggests was not the intent of the lawmakers. Regardless of flaws in the regulations that Mr Farr and I addressed, he and commission seem not to care and won't even make easy changes, like letting a ref's 5 count stay a 5 count (they want a ten count for unknown reasons), and even though he agreed refs have no real authority, the language of the regulations treats refs as if they do, and even suggests they are held "responsible" to uphold the Commission's rules.

 

No effort was made by the commission to determine any impact on the Georgia 911 system by requiring ambulances at all shows, which on a busy Saturday in Georgia could be as many as 10 ambulances. We are in the process of getting comment from various Georgia 911 supervisors. And the ambulance rule came from a Pennsylvania law (not rule), that understands the impact on the 911 system and at least allows no ambulance if there is one within 5 miles of a show and they are notified the show is happening. Georgia's commission removed that, suggesting it would be tough for them to check. I reminded Mr Farr that all he needed was a contact name & phone # to check on whether a promoter notified an EMT unit, where he'd have to visit each show to see an ambulance. Mr Farr suggested calling was too difficult.

 

Mr Farr suggests he and the commission only want to protect wrestlers and fans in Georgia, but the rules only really add cost to a wrestling show, and Mr Farr & the commission have made no effort to determine whether there are any real problems they should address. It was easier just to piece rules together by what other states did, several different states all following different law, than to actually do due diligence in the State of Georgia. Mr Farr said they researched on the internet and named one wresting site as their research, www.georgiawrestling.tk , and he suggested they visited other wrestling promotion sites but when asked couldn't recall any. They also heard from "concerned" promoters and former promoters, none of whom he wanted to name.

 

The hearing is next Tuesday, 12-18 at 11AM.

 

Should the rules pass it is likely promoters will seek legal council, and attempt to get an injunction to hold the rules at abeyance, until a judge rules on the commission's interpretation of the Georgia law.

 

Bill Behrens

11-26-07

 

 

To: Kelly Farr

Executive Director

Secretary of State

Georgia Athletic & Entertainment Commission

 

From: Bill Behrens

President

Show Business, Inc.

 

Re: Proposed Rules for Professional Wrestling in Georgia (Rule 85-4-.01)

 

Mr. Farr:

I work in the business of Professional Wrestling currently as the TNA (Total Non-Stop Action) Bookings Director. TNA recently promoted a PPV in Georgia at the Gwinnett Center. Prior to this position I was employed by the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and worked with a training facility and promotion it set up in McDonough, GA called Deep South Wrestling. WWE promotes events regularly throughout the State of Georgia. Prior to that, I promoted for 7 years in Cornelia, GA using the name NWA Wildside. I am a former President of the NWA.

 

The NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) sanctioned wrestling in the state of Georgia for over 50 years and was featured on WTCG-TV17 which became Super Station WTBS, on Saturdays nights for years, and later on the Georgia based WCW (World Championship Wrestling). Professional Wrestling has a long tradition of providing family entertainment, at live events and on television, in the State of Georgia. It’s a tradition that continues today at small independently promoted shows throughout our great State.

 

I am sure you’ve heard from numerous Georgia wrestling fans about the Georgia Athletic & Entertainment Commissions’ proposed rules. Wrestling fans are extremely passionate in their love for Professional Wrestling as you may have learned. As Representative Allen Powell said in 2004, “Wrestling is like Fried Chicken”. I know the members of Governor Purdue’s family that attended several recent Georgia independent wrestling shows where I was helping would agree. They couldn’t believe the proposed regulations when told. Neither can I.

 

Beginning in 2001 I interacted with those in Georgia politics who wished to regulate wrestling. I met with Representative Allen Powell and GAEC member Les Schneider in early 2004, at which time we reached agreement on modifications to what was then House Bill 558. The agreement made was that wrestling promoters in Georgia would register and pay a $100 fee, and that promoters would make reports to the commission. Wrestling was clearly distinguished from Boxing & Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), as Professional Wrestling is not a sport, and the other two are sports. Professional wrestling is not real. It is staged entertainment wherein the athletes protect each other.. Boxing & MMA are very real, and very dangerous. The Athletes intend to hurt each other.

 

The language in the bill that passed as law and that the Commission references as its “authority” to impose these rules, Georgia State Law: O.C.G.A. 43-4B, contains specific language that clearly or should clearly to the Commission distinguish Professional Wrestling from Boxing & MMA. In their wisdom, the law makers did not intend Professional Wrestling to be regulated like Boxing and MMA. They did not intend the fees for wrestling promoters to be like those for Boxing and MMA. I am concerned that the commission is misinterpreting Georgia State Law O.C.G.A 43-4B, and from reading the rules being suggested they also may not understand what Professional Wrestling is and what it is not.

 

O.C.G.A. 43-4B defines wrestling as:

 

(21) "Wrestling" means:

 

(A) A staged performance of fighting and gymnastic skills and techniques by two or more human beings who are not required to use their best efforts in order to win and for which the winner may have been selected before the performance commences; or

 

( A performance of fighting and gymnastic skills and techniques by two or more human beings.

 

This is pretty straight forward. Wrestling is not a sport, not real. The “nature of the activity” is a staged performance.

 

This is clearly different than the definitions of (2) Boxing, (9.1) Kickboxing, (10.1) Martial Art, and (11) Mixed Martial Art. The “nature of the activity” of last three is defined well as each is defined as a form of “unarmed combat”, while the “nature of the activity” of boxing is “knocking the opponent down and rendering the opponent unconscious or incapable of continuing the contest by such blows” This is very real and very dangerous activity where the participants intend to hurt their opponent and if possible render him unconscious.

 

It is Article 4 that addresses the commission’s authority and duties as it relates to Martial Arts and Professional Wrestling.

 

ARTICLE 4. REGULATION OF MARTIAL ARTS AND WRESTLING 7

 

§ 43-4B-50. Authority and duties of the commission with regard to licensure, exemption from licensure, and regulation

 

(a) The commission shall have the sole authority to license organizations that govern and authorize matches, contests, and exhibitions of martial arts and wrestling and to exempt organizations from licensure in accordance with this article. The commission shall have the sole authority to permit and regulate matches, contests, and exhibitions of martial arts and wrestling. The commission shall have the sole authority to license promoters of matches, contests, and exhibitions of martial arts. The commission shall have the duty to safeguard the public health, to protect competitors, and to provide for competitive matches by requiring licensed organizations to abide by rules promulgated by the commission for basic minimum medical and safety requirements based on the nature of the activity and the anticipated level of physical conditioning and training of competitors. The commission shall have the authority to inquire as to a licensed organization's plans or arrangements for compliance with such rules. The commission shall have the authority to require annual fees for licensure and a fee for each such match, contest, or exhibition or for each show and to penalize licensed organizations, licensed promoters, and the holders of match permits that violate the provisions of this article or rules of the commission promulgated in accordance with this article.

 

There is a huge difference between the “nature of the activity” of martial arts and mixed martial arts and wrestling. The lawmakers addressed that in their definitions. Martial Arts and Mixed Martial Arts are real fighting and forms of “unarmed combat” where the intent is to hurt your opponent. Wrestling is a staged performance that is not real and where the intent is to protect your opponent from being hurt. The sports where the intent is to hurt someone clearly need medical and safety requirements to protect the athletes involved, but in the “staged performance” of wrestling these concerns do not exist as the performers are not intending to hurt the other performer, because they are simply performing. Accordingly, rules to protect the wrestlers are unnecessary.

 

The lawmakers went further by also noting “the training of competitors”. In Martial Arts & Mixed Martial Arts the athletes are trained to hurt their opponent, and to try to prevent the opponent from hurting them more. In wrestling the performers are trained to protect the other performer from injury and to protect themselves.

 

The commission has a duty to “protect” and “safeguard” the athletes participating in martial arts and mixed martial arts. But none of the rules proposed by the commission for wrestling will protect the performers more than they are already protected, nor are they necessary because wrestling is a performance not a sport. Some are so flawed it appears the commission believes wrestling to be real. For example refs in wrestling have no real authority. They are actors. They are part of the performance. In wrestling the performer must break the staged hold on another performer when they are in the ropes within a refs 5 count. For some reason the commission wants a 10 count. Everybody wants to be a Director as they say in Hollywood, and it seems true here too. Wrestling has its own set of fake rules that are use to stage the performance and entertain the audience. The audience understands these fake rules, and that the bad guys cheat and break them, and that the refs role is to try to enforce the fake rules and stop the bad guy from cheating. The bad guy cheating creates what we call “heat”. It makes the audience unhappy. When the good guy overcomes the cheating then the audience is happy. Good over bad, just like in the movies. Wrestling is entertainment, just like movies, just like a stage play. One famous Georgia resident and wrestling star, Dusty Rhodes always says “I’m making movies, baby” when discussing wrestling. I do not believe the lawmakers intended the commission to take over scripting pro wrestling matches and their outcomes.

 

The lawmakers also addressed fees for wresting, boxing and martial arts as follows:

 

§ 43-4B-51. Fees

 

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection © of this Code section, the annual fee for licensure of organizations subject to this article is $1,000.00.

 

( As used in this subsection, the term "show" includes all matches, contests, or exhibitions held at the same venue on the same date and included in the same admission fee if an admission fee is charged. Except as otherwise provided in subsection © of this Code section, the maximum permit fee for each show authorized or governed by an organization licensed in accordance with this article is $250.00. The maximum permit fee for each match, contest, or exhibition that is not a component of a show and is authorized by an organization licensed in accordance with this article is $250.00, except as otherwise provided in subsection © of this Code section. Such fee shall be paid to the commission on or before the date of the match, contest, or exhibition. The commission may provide by rule for a refund of a portion of the fee if the match, contest, or exhibition is not held.

 

© For organizations authorizing or governing matches, contests, or exhibitions of wrestling as defined in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (21) of Code Section 43-4B-1, the annual fee for licensure is $100.00. There shall be no permit fee for matches, contests, or exhibitions of wrestling as defined in such subparagraph. Organizations subject to this subsection shall make reports to the commission in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the commission.

 

(d) The annual fee for a promoter's license for promoters of martial arts matches, contests, or exhibitions shall be $500.00.

 

Again the lawmakers distinguished wrestling from boxing & martial arts and exempted only wrestling from additional fees. The commission was simply charged to get promoters licensed at $100 per year, and to receive reports from Wrestling Organizations. This language was agreed to in 2004 by myself, Representative Powell & Les Schneider. We discussed that by licensing all promotions and getting reasonable reports of their activity the commission could monitor this entertainment form. This would also help prevent “outlaw” promotions or promoters from outside our state from coming into our state and potentially ripping communities off. In essence Georgia promoters and the commission would work together to protect the Georgia Professional Wrestling business and its fans.

 

The lawmakers intended no additional fees yet the commission wishes 5% of the gate as a regulatory fee. I see no language in the law that begins to suggest that a 5% fee or tax neither were the intent of the lawmakers nor is even permitted. There is a 5% “tax” on a boxing gate, but that’s the only reference to 5% in the law. Is the commission attempting to tax wrestling companies couching it as a “regulatory fee”? Can this commission tax? Did not the lawmakers under FEES make it clear that only a $100 fee was required?

 

The commission wants wrestling promoters to obtain a Surety Bond for each show. What is the purpose for this cost to promoters? Who does this protect? This is just another attempt to add fees to wrestling shows, fees the lawmakers never intended.

 

The commission want an ambulance and 2 EMTs at all shows, and a physician at ringside. This is yet another attempt to simply add cost to a wrestling event with no due diligence of a need. Athletes are hurt at nearly every boxing or martial arts event because the athletes are trying to hurt each other. An ambulance, EMTs & a doctor may be needed there. Wrestlers rarely get hurt and all performers are trained to protect each other and not get hurt. An ambulance, EMTs & a doctor are not needed at wrestling performance, just like they are not needed at stage plays or ballet performances in the state of Georgia. We have an excellent 911 system in place for unexpected medical emergencies in our State, protecting all of us in our day to day lives and as we work & play. I challenge the commission to document injuries in Georgia Professional Wrestling rings. They will waste their time trying. This is simply another additional fee that the commission is attempting to impose under the guise of “protecting” the performers. All that will happen is three more people, 2 EMTs and a doctor, will get paid to watch a wrestling show.

 

One final concern I have is that one of the commissioners, Cary Ichter, may be in a “conflict of interest” given statements he made to the press concerning Professional Wrestling and the WWE that are clearly tied to his legal representation of an individual and/or estate who may sue WWE. When addressing provisions in Georgia State Law O.C.G.A 43-4B , Mr Ichter said that he would make “sure that exemption is pulled from the law". "I want to make sure we have a way to protect folks in Georgia from the shenanigans of the WWE." He has a professional agenda tied to his representation of a client. This creates a “conflict of interest” as he serves on the Georgia Athletic & Entertainment Commission. His concern is his client’s case first, and has made many public statements referencing that. His statements are made without reference to facts and are intended to serve only the interests of his client and his case, neither of which have anything to do with the business of Professional Wrestling in Georgia nor are what the lawmakers intended in Georgia State Law O.C.G.A 43-4B. I do not believe the members of this commission are serving as lawmakers.

 

I plan to attend the meeting on December 18, and will want to address the commission.

 

I suggest the commission withdraw the proposed rules. The commission should communicate with the promoters in Georgia, and with their help make sure all promoters are licensed and then develop with the promoters a form of reporting to the commission so the commission is aware of where wrestling is promoted, how often and by whom. That is the intent of Georgia State Law O.C.G.A 43-4B.

[Bix]

The jurisdictional issue, if it has some actual merit, is a really brilliant way of fighting this while avoiding discussion of the actual problems. Behrens is pretty awesomely carny.

[kjh]

WWE threatens to leave Georgia over new regulations.

 

Money quote by Cary Ichter: "What else would you expect a bully to say?"

[Al]

Money quote by Cary Ichter: "What else would you expect a bully to say?"

Challenging the commission to a fight behind the flagpole would've been my first guess.

 

Only problem was that the article did not mention the potential problems beyond the steroid testing. (i.e., dictating in-ring rules)

[Jingus]

It's also worth noting that Ichter was apparently the attorney in the WCW racial discrimination lawsuit. When you've stood in the middle of a court of law and claimed that Sonny Onoo and Hardbody Harrison were super-talented employees who were unfairly held down because of skin color, it's not a credibility booster. I can't wait for him vs. McDevitt in the courtroom, just to hear all the bizarre arguments from both sides.

[Bix]

It's nothing like that, he just had to prove that WCW was discriminating against minority performers, which they were. The racist jokes (including the infamous "Chinese menu" email that was leaked online) and pay discrepancies made the case a slam dunk regardless of the fact that Onoo and Harrison were lousy talents.

[Boondocks Kernoodle]

And Hardbody didn't even use any of that money to pay his hoes!

[Jingus]

The commission had its meeting, various wrestlers spoke, and nothing was really decided. They delayed doing anything until February. The full details are here.

[sek69]

Ichter is starting to look more and more like someone out to get WWE (which of course will only fuel their paranoia) instead of someone looking to make wrestling safer. Being on the commission and being a lawyer for the Benoit family is a ridiculous conflict that will only make WWE seem sympathetic.

[Bix]

In theory there's a conflict, but he's not initiating any action that directly benefits him or his clients.

 

Well, other than baiting Jerry McDevitt, which he'd be doing anyway.

[sek69]

In theory there's a conflict, but he's not initiating any action that directly benefits him or his clients.

 

Well, other than baiting Jerry McDevitt, which he'd be doing anyway.

 

The rules the commission want to put in place seem to be designed to unlawfully restrict the pro wrestling industry. WWE, for all intents and purposes, pretty much *is* the pro wrestling industry in the US. The argument could be made that Ichter is using his position on the commission to punish a company he's obviously planning to mount a large lawsuit against. Just the fact that he's been involved in pro wrestling related cases before and yet doesn't seem to want to hip the rest of the commission to the idea that it's all a work seems pretty suspect IMO.

[Bix]

Well, I'm curious how much Ichter is involved with the new rules. He's been completely mum about those, only talking about (rightfully) eliminating the ridiculous exemption that WWE has.

[Jingus]

According to the report, the one guy Farr seemed to have some kind of personal grudge, judging from how he kept trying to cut off the speakers and claim they'd talked for their alloted five minutes when they hadn't.

 

A new wrinkle: Georgia promoters band together in order to form the MPAA a promoters' committee which apparently wants to try and regulate wrestling before the government can. The dude manning the ring-toss booth at the county fair would look at these guys and go "DAMN, that's carny".

[Loss]

This still seems like a pretty unimportant story in general for some reason.

 

The only significant market in Georgia is Atlanta. WWE very rarely runs shows there, and it's been a dead market since the Fingerpoke of Doom in '99.

 

Is Georgia really such a hot market that it's worth protecting by forming a band of promoters to combat The Man? Seriously, just move out of the state.

[Jingus]

How do you just move out of state when your home, your shoot job, your promotion's building, your fanbase, and all of your employees are there? Granted, in the international wrestling scene this is barely a blip on the radar, and wrestling obviously needs more regulation or oversight than it's had in most places, but I don't see the problem with them banding together to form Carny Voltron in order to prevent these dumb rules from putting them out of business.

 

There are a few other cities that the WWE runs in GA. Not many, none of them huge population centers, but clearly there are over ten thousand people apiece in Macon, Savannah, and other places who're willing to buy tickets to the shows. It's not like this is Montana or some other depopulated wasteland where nobody ever goes.

[tomk]

ROH would actually excel under these conditions. They should start doing shows in Georgia. Might affect Danielson's "I have until five" stuff though.

 

Fuck that someone make Behrens a Best of Capture DVD.

"Capture Georgia" would be awesome.

Restricting audience to being over 18 would hurt it.

[Bix]

"lol, nobody ever gets hurt!" seems like an oddly stupid talking point to use.