THE NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE OFFICIAL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING

A BRIEF HISTORY OF WRESTLING

Wrestling is undoubtedly the oldest competitive sport known to man. Cave drawings indicate that it was one of the first forms of non-lethal athletic activity practiced by early European civilizations. Perhaps the earliest written account of wrestling is found in Genesis 32:24, when Jacob wrestled with an angel of the lord. Bible historians date this passage at about 1700 B.C. Excavations in Iraq revealed a bronze statuette of wrestlers, which archeologists have dated at 2600 B.C. Similar findings elsewhere in the Middle East are thought to be as much as 5000 years old. The ancient Greeks presumably learned the art and science of wrestling from the Egyptians, who depicted the sport with murals in the elaborate tombs of their pharaohs. Plato and Socrates, the renowned Greek philosophers, participated in wrestling. And of course, wrestling really came into its own as part of the Greek Olympics. Roman gladiators, who fought to he death for the amusement of decadent emperors and throngs of debauched spectators, included wrestling in their "games". Sumo wrestling appeared in Japan during the First Century B.C. In 828 A.D., Emperor Buntoku decreed that his two sons would wrestle to decide who would become heir to the throne. In his own time, King Henry VIII of England was as renowned for his wrestling skill as he has since become known for his treatment of estranged wives, and small wonder wrestling had come to be regarded as a skill worthy of knights, noblemen and even kings during the Middle Ages. A number of American Presidents, beginning with George Washington, were known as skilled wrestlers. Presidents Lincoln, Taft and Teddy Roosevelt were well respected for their skills in this ancient sport. In 1880, William Muldoon became the first American wrestling champion and later became known as the Father of American Wrestling. Muldoon became the first Chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission. Shortly after the turn of the century, a U.S. champion known as Frank Gotch defeated a European champion named George Hackenschmidt to become the first generally-recognized heavyweight wrestling champion of the world. Gotch held the title twice and retired undefeated in 1913. The National Wrestling Alliance is by far the largest and most respected governing body in professional wrestling today. It traces the line of its current heavyweight champion back to Frank Gotch, the sport's first world champion. The NWA and it's affiliated promoters have done a great deal to support and encourage the development of amateur wrestling in the United States and elsewhere in the world, and has likewise endeavored to maintain the highest possible standards of athletic competition in the professional ranks.


Section I: General Rules 1. Definition. A wrestling match shall consist of a physical confrontation between two athletes or teams of athletes who have demonstrated a proficiency in the skills contiguous to the sports, and are in sound physical condition. Wrestlers shall be of good moral character and shall not be fugitives from justice. (a) A wrestling match shall be held in a "ring" constructed in accordance with specific NWA standards, as available upon request to any persons having been approved for the promotion of NWA-sanctioned wrestling events. (b) The object of a wrestling match shall be to gain a victory over one's opponent through the use of a legal hold or series of legal holds and maneuvers, either by scoring a pin fall or by forcing an opponent to concede defeat. To be pinned, both of a contestant's shoulders must be held to the mat for three consecutive seconds, as witnessed and counted off by a referee in charge of the event.

2. Legal holds. Holds and maneuvers which are allowed in AAU, NCAA, and Olympic wrestling competition shall be permitted in professional matches. Additional holds which are not permitted in amateur competition, but which involve the use of hands, arms, feet, and legs in grasping or manipulating an opponent in such a way as to gain a position of advantage in a manner consistent with the basic objectives of the sport as outlined herein, shall be permitted, provided they are not specifically excluded herein or by subsequent NWA directive.

3. Holds and conduct not allowed. Certain holds and types of behavior which are inherently unsportsmanlike or for other reasons not in the best interests of professional wrestling will not be allowed. Wrestlers failing to adhere to these restrictions will be subject to disqualification and/or subsequent disciplinary action. (a) The use of a closed fist is not permitted. A referee is authorized to disqualify a wrestler for the use of a closed fist after appropriate warnings. (b) Kicking with the point of the toe or heel is not permitted. Kicking with the flat of the foot or the instep is allowed. © The use of karate or kung-fu thrusts or kicks is prohibited. Certain non-lethal judo moves, which may resemble these prohibited maneuvers, are allowed. Referees are expected to exercise extreme care in differentiating between legal and non-legal martial arts tactics. (d) Pulling of hair, mask, tights, or athletic gear of any sort to gain an advantage is prohibited. (e) Eye-gouging or other efforts which would tend to impair an opponent's vision will not be allowed. (f) Biting any part of an opponent's anatomy is strictly prohibited. (g) Bending an opponent's individual fingers in such a way as to bring about a possible fracture or sprain is not allowed. (h) Choke holds are prohibited, as is any use of the ring ropes for the purpose of impairing an opponent's breathing. (i) Any wrestler who deliberately strikes his opponent in the privates is subject to immediate disqualification. (j) Taping of knuckles, wrists or any part of the hand, except as certified to be necessary by a physician, is prohibited. (k) Any wrestler using a non-regulation object as a weapon against his opponent is subject to immediate disqualification. (l) Any abuse, physical or verbal, of an official shall be grounds for disqualification and possible fine or suspension. (m) Any interference in a match on the part of an individual who is not a designated participant shall be grounds for the disqualification of the contestant(s) who, in the referee's judgment, was being aided by said interference. This stipulation shall apply to managers and seconds, as well as to any other parties who illegally involve themselves in a wrestling match. (n) Attacking an opponent before the opening bell, after the final bell, or between falls, will be grounds for disciplinary action at the discretion of the referee or reviewing officials. (o) Deliberately throwing an opponent over the top ring rope is grounds for immediate disqualification. The exception to this is the battle royal. Battle royals may be held only with specific NWA authorization. (p) The use of any hold or maneuver not specified herein, but which in the judgment of the NWA President and/or Board of Directors is especially dangerous to participants in NWA-sanctioned wrestling events may, at any time, be prohibited by a directive from NWA headquarters.

4. Additional standards of conduct. Unless otherwise stated herein, a referee will disqualify a wrestler when an infraction for which said wrestler has been warned twice shall be committed for a third time; however, a referee shall have the discretion to disqualify a participant at any time said referee feels that a deliberate infraction of the rules would otherwise alter the outcome of a match in favor of the wrestler committing the infraction. (a) A hold shall not be allowed if either contestant is in physical contact with the ropes or if any part of either contestant's body is outside the vertical plane of the ring ropes. The referee will instruct the wrestler applying the hold in such cases to desist, and the wrestler applying the hold will have five seconds as counted off by the referee in which to comply. (b) In the event that a wrestler is thrown outside the ring, he shall have ten seconds as counted off by the referee in which to re-enter the ring. The count shall continue only while the remaining contestant is in a neutral corner, making no effort to impede his opponent's return to the ring. If the referee's count is interrupted at any point, it shall be resumed at its beginning, not at the point of interruption, and only after order has been restored. © The above ten-count procedure shall likewise apply in the case of a wrestler who is in or approximately in a prone position on the canvas without being in physical contact with his opponent and who, in the judgment of the referee, is temporarily unable to wrestle. (d) Any wrestler taking a full ten-count in the above circumstances shall be declared the loser of the match.

5. Tag team matches. Wrestlers wishing to participate in tag team matches may do so in accordance with the customary contractual procedures. (a) In the event one member of a tag team is unable to wrestle or fails to make an appearance, his partner has the option of finding a substitute, forfeiting the match, or facing two opponents by himself. (b) Only one member of a tag team is to be in the ring at any given time while the match is in progress. A five second transition period is permitted to facilitate wrestlers on a team exchanging places in the ring. © Wrestlers on the same team can exchange places in the ring only after a legal tag-out has been accomplished. This must consist of a wrestler inside the perimeter of the ring ropes using one of his hands to make physical contact with one of the hands of his partner outside the perimeter of the ring ropes, who shall be in a standing position, within arm's length of his own corner, with both feet on the mat and one arm over the tope rope. A tag-out shall not be allowed if the wrestler on the outside of the ring is not appropriately positioned. (d) The referee may, at his discretion, disallow any tag-out which he does not see or which he has reason to believe did not occur in accordance with the above stipulations. (e) Tag teams may consist of two, three, or more men within a reasonable number, and provided their opposing teams have an equal number of participants, except in the case of "handicap" matches, wherein the numerically disadvantaged team or individual must sign an appropriate waiver of indemnity. A similar waiver must be signed in the case of "Texas tornado" matches, in which tag team procedures are in part suspended, and in "elimination" matches, in which the makeup of teams may not remain constant throughout the match. (f) Unless otherwise contractually stipulated, a tag team event may be won (or a fall therein may be won) by defeating only one member of the opposing team.

6. Weight divisions. Wrestlers shall be matched with as little discrepancy in relative weights as is feasible, however wrestlers wishing to compete in the unlimited or heavyweight division are expected to accept matches with opponents of any weight. (a) The weight limit for the junior heavyweight division shall be 230 pounds. (b) Other weight divisions, where applicable, shall be designated in accordance with the rules of Olympic freestyle competition.

7. Women's matches. Women athletes participating in NWA-sanctioned wrestling events will be subject to the same rules and regulations as male wrestlers except as stipulated herein. (a) Women wrestlers shall in no case be paid either more or less than male athletes involved in matches which could reasonably be construed as being of similar value to the promoter. (b) Women wrestler will not be matched against male opponents. "Mixed" tag team matches will be conducted in such a manner that female participants are not required to wrestle directly against male opponents.

8. Non-sanctioned events. The National Wrestling Alliance does not sanction cage matches, chain matches, bullrope matches, strap matches, "lights out" matches, taped fist matches, Texas or other designated "death" matches, or any other events in which the rules and regulations designated herein are not fully enforced. Wrestlers participating in non-sanctioned events do so without recourse to the NWA in the event of an injury.


Section II: Promoters & Officials

1. Qualifications for promoters. Persons authorized to promote NWA-sanctioned wrestling events must be responsible citizens of the nation in which they do business, or non-resident businesspersons who are in compliance with the standards set forth for doing business by local authorities. They must be persons of good reputation and good moral character, and shall not be fugitives from justice. (a) The above standards shall likewise apply to the officers of partnerships and corporations promoting NWA-sanctioned wrestling. (b) Any and all records and papers, financial, contractual or otherwise, relevant to the promotion of NWA-sanctioned wrestling events, shall be subject to inspection by any properly-designated officer of the NWA. Said officers will not release the information contained therein to the press or to the public except in the case of significant irregularity as determined by review of the NWA Board of Directors. © Promoters shall assume responsibility for obtaining the services of qualified wrestlers and officials, and for securing buildings or outdoor arenas adequate for the purpose of holding wrestling events. (d)It shall be the promoter's responsibility to ensure that the following are provided: dressing rooms, showers, locker and toilet facilities. At least two dressing rooms shall be available at each event. If both men and women wrestlers are on hand, separate facilities for opponents of both sexes shall be available. Unauthorized persons are not permitted in the dressing room areas. (e) Promoters shall be responsible for obtaining a regulation wrestling ring and personnel to ensure proper set-up and tear-down. (f) Promoters will secure adequate liability insurance with a reputable firm for all wrestling events under NWA sanction. (g) Promoters may, if they choose, to initiate contracts with individual wrestlers or managers, or this function may be delegated to a matchmaker. In the latter case said matchmaker shall likewise be a person of good reputation, good moral character, and shall not be a fugitive from justice. (h) Promoters shall be responsible for publicizing wrestling events in a tasteful manner, and for avoiding any false or misleading advertising. (i) Promoters are responsible for paying wrestlers, officials and other personnel involved in wrestling events in accordance with existing contracts or verbal agreements. (j) Promoters will report any misbehavior on the part of athletes or other significant irregularities in writing to NWA headquarters within five working days of any such incident. Promoters are advised to make preliminary telephone reports in cases wherein prompt official action would be advisable.

2. Qualifications for referees. Referees shall be persons who are thoroughly familiar with the rules and regulations pertaining to professional wrestling, and competent to see that these rules and regulations are properly enforced. Referees shall be persons of good moral character and shall not be fugitives from justice. (a) Referees shall be approved by an official of the NWA before being authorized to officiate at any NWA-sanctioned wrestling event. (b) The referee shall be in complete charge of any wrestling match to which he is assigned. He may disqualify an individual wrestler or team for infractions of the rules as outlined herein. He may, at his discretion, stop a match to prevent serious injury to a participant. © Prior to each match, the referee shall determine that the contestants are not concealing any unauthorized gear ("foreign objects") and that they do no have their bodies coated with excessive oil or grease which would make it unduly difficult for an opponent to maintain a legal hold. Referees conduction pre-bout checks of wrestlers of the opposite sex are cautioned to use proper discretion in their attempts to locate possible concealed objects.

3. Qualifications for timekeepers. Timekeepers shall be persons who are familiar with the rules and regulations of professional wrestling as applicable to this specialized function. Timekeepers shall be persons of good moral character and shall not be fugitives from justice. (a) Timekeepers shall be approved by an officer of the NWA before being assigned to any NWA-sanctioned event. (b) The timekeeper assigned to an NWA-sanctioned wrestling event shall be in possession of an accurate timepiece, which he shall use to determine the assigned duration of each individual match. © The timekeeper shall signal the beginning of a match or fall by ringing a bell at the referee's instruction or at the end of a designated rest period. The timekeeper shall likewise signal the end of a fall of a match when so instructed by the referee, or when the designated time limit has elapsed. (d) The timekeeper assigned to a match shall keep the referee and contestants apprised of elapsed time and/or time remaining at regular intervals, or when requested by the referee.

4. Vested interests. No official shall have any vested interest in the outcome of a match to which he is assigned.


Section III: Championships

1. Definition. A championship confers upon an individual wrestler or team of wrestlers official recognition that this individual or team has been established through officially-sanctioned competition as being the best in whatever category, weight division or geographical area is designated by the championship in question.

2. Specific championships recognized by the NWA. The National Wrestling Alliance recognizes a number of international, national, regional, state and local championships. The following is a partial list of these. (a) The world heavyweight championship. This is recognized throughout NWA jurisdiction and elsewhere as the apogee of achievement in the unlimited or heavyweight division. (b) The world junior heavyweight championship. This is recognized throughout NWA jurisdiction and elsewhere as the apogee of achievement among wrestlers able to compete within a 230 pound weight limit. © World championships may also be recognized by the NWA for other weight divisions at such time as sufficient activity in these weight divisions merits recognition of a world champion. (d) National championships for nations under NWA jurisdiction. (e) Regional, state and local championships, provincial championships, and other such championships as may pertain to reasonable geographic divisions of broader areas under NWA jurisdiction.

3. Championships not recognized. The NWA does not recognize "brass knuckles" championships or any other championships based on competition which does not comply with the rules and regulations of the National Wrestling Alliance as outlined herein.

4. Rankings. The National Wrestling Alliance may, at designated intervals, publish official rankings of contenders for any recognized championship, upon concurrence of two-thirds of the members of the NWA Board of Directors at any regularly-scheduled meeting at which a valid quorum is present.

5. Additional rules pertaining to championships. The following stipulations apply to the recognition and transfer of championships by the National Wrestling Alliance except in cases wherein exceptions are specified in valid contracts acceptable to the NWA. (a) Trophies or belts may be awarded in recognition of championships, but these do not in themselves constitute such recognition except as won or lost in compliance with the rules of wrestling as set forth herein. (b) Championships cannot change hands in the event of a draw or if a challenger wins only one fall (even though it is the only fall scored) in a 2 out of 3 fall match. © Championships cannot change hands on a disqualification ruling unless so stipulated in the contract. (d) Championships shall be defended at least once every thirty days unless the NWA authorizes an exception for good cause. (e) When a championship vacancy occurs, the NWA may designate a new champion on the basis of meritorious qualifications, order a match to determine a new champion, or order a tournament to determine a new champion.


Section IV: Additional Standards of Conduct

1. Gambling. Absolutely no gambling on the outcome of wrestling matches on the part of wrestlers, promoters, managers, seconds, officials or arena employees is permitted, either at the arena or at outside locations. (a) Promoters are expected to take reasonable measures to discourage patrons from gambling on the outcome of matches while attending wrestling events. (b) The above shall not be construed as being applicable to gambling at licensed tracks and casinos, or to private wagering except upon NWA-sanctioned wrestling events.

2. Bribes. The acceptance of bribes in exchange for unethical practices on the part of wrestlers, officials or other persons subject to these regulations, is strictly prohibited. (a) Wrestlers accepting bribes in exchange for "throwing" matches shall be subject to find and/or fines not to exceed $10,000, suspension for one year, or both, for the first offense, except in the case of championship matches.* (b) Officials accepting bribes in exchange for favoring one contestant over another in matches to which they are assigned are subject to revocation of status and/or other disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the NWA Review Board. © Failure of above designated persons promptly to report a bribe offer to an officer of the NWA shall be construed as complicity in the offense, whether or not the bribe is accepted.

Cases involving any such irregularities in championship matches will be heard by a duly appointed panel of NWA officials, who will be charged with taking appropriate action.