State of Georgia Threatens to Body Slam Pro Wrestling

Promoting and running a pro wrestling event in the state of Georgia has become even more difficult after the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission issued a new set of rules for professional wrestling events. This has been in the works since the Chris Benoit double murder-suicide case. Among the rules, there are listed that wrestlers cannot blade (cutting oneself for the purpose of drawing blood) , a physician must be present at ringside throughout the show, no one under the age of 18 can be present without a guardian, changes to the card must be announced before the show and fans are entitled to a refund if there are changes, females must wear trunks and tops etc. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a public hearing is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. December 18, 2007 at 2 Martin Luther King Jr Dr West Tower Suite 814 Atlanta, GA 30334 to provide the public an opportunity to comment upon and provide input into the proposed repealed rule. At the public hearing anyone may present data, make a statement, comment or offer a viewpoint or argument whether orally or in writing. Lengthy statements or statements of a considerable technical or economic nature, as well as previously recorded messages, must be submitted for the official record. Oral statements should be concise and will be limited to 5 minutes per person. A list of the new rules are listed below:

Synopsis of Proposed rule to Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, Rule 85-04-.01 Rules for Professional Wrestling
Purpose: This rule describes authorized practices to be employed for professional wrestling organizations.

85-4-.01 Rules for Professional Wrestling

(1) All promoters must have a valid Professional Organization License issued by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission

(2) A Surety Bond of not less than $10,000 must be on file with the commission before the event.

(3) At least (10) days before the scheduled event you must notify the Commission, in writing, stating the time, date and location of your proposed event.