Update on Georgia Wrestling Regulation Meeting



I just returned from the October meeting of the GAEC (Georgia Athletic & Entertainment Commission). The meeting was attended by myself, WWE attorney John Taylor and WWA4 owner Frank Aldridge.

The Commission made some changes I suggested in the pending regulations, and tabled voting the rules until the next meeting on November 18, 2008.

The rules with changes are posted below:

Proposed Wrestling Rules



85-4-.01 (Licensed Organizations)



(1) No person shall promote or hold a professional



wrestling match, contest, or



exhibition within this state without first obtaining a Wrestling Organization license issued by the commission. Licenses shall be issued annually and shall expire on December 31 of each calendar year. Authority: 43-4B-51 (c) and 43-4B-50 (a)



(2) Wrestling Organizations shall apply to the commission for a license required by



subsection (1) of this section on a form provided by the commission. The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee not to exceed $100.00.



(3) While promoting and sponsoring a match, contest, or exhibition of wrestling in



this state, the Wrestling Organization shall:



(a) Hold a valid license issued by the commission as a professional Wrestling Organization. Authority: 43-4B-51 (c) and 43-4B-50



(b) File an event report, as specified by the commission,with the commission 15 days before each professional match, contest, or exhibition and 15 days

(Change: “15 days before” is now “5 days before)

after the professional match, contest, or exhibition. Authority: 43-4B-51



(c), 43-4B-52 (a), 43-4B-52(b)



(c) Report to the commission the intent to use foreign objects or props that are any sharp object, any hammer or other item that could cause bodily harm. Firearms are not



permitted as acceptable props.Authority 43-



4B-51 (c) and 40-4B-50 (a) (d) At the time the Wrestling Organization has knowledge that an advertised wrestler will not appear, the wrestling organization shall post a notice to



that effect outside of the entrances to the venue and include such information as required on post event reporting per 85-4-



.01 (3)(b).



Authority: 43-4B-51 (c), 43-4B-52(a), 43-4B-52(b)



(e) Ensure all buildings or structures used or intended to be used for holding or giving professional matches, contests, or exhibitions of



professional wrestling shall be safe and shall in all manner conform to the laws, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to buildings in the



city or unincorporated area of the county where the building or structure is situated. Authority: 43-4B-50 (a)



(4) While authorizing and governing a match, contest, or exhibition of wrestling in



this state, the Wrestling Organization shall also ensure that:



(a) All wrestlers performing in a match, contest, or exhibition are at least 18 years old.



(b) All professional wrestlers performing in a match, contest, or exhibition shall only wrestle inside the separation barrier or backstage



on anywhere that will not endanger the safety of the public or the wrestler. defined in Rule 85-4-



.03(a)(3).



(c) Each professional wrestler participating in the match, contest, or exhibition has prior to December 31 of every year submitted to the



commission documentation, signed by a licensed physician,of passing a {A0231427_1} 2 basic medical exam. The form and contents of the



documentation shall be provided by the commission.

Change: “December 31 of every year” changed to “participating in the match, contest or exhibition”

(d) No professional wrestler



shall perform while under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. If there is reason to suspect that a wrestler is impaired or under



the influence of drugs or alcohol, the organization may be required to have



the wrestler tested immediately upon request by the commission.



(e) Anyone involved with the promotion or performance of a professional wrestling event shall not deliberately cut themselves, any



other participant, or any other persons involved in a wrestling match or



event.



(f) No professional wrestler shall use anabolic



steroids, human growth hormone or other controlled substance unless prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition. Wrestling Organizations are prohibited from



providing prescription drugs of any kind to a performer. Authority O.C.G.A. § 43-4B-50(a)



85-4-.02 (Professional wrestling event location)



(1) When a match, contest, or exhibition of professional wrestling occurs within this



state, the wrestling organization shall take necessary steps to ensure the safety, health,



and welfare of the wrestlers and the spectators. Such standards shall include the following:



(a) The venue used complies with the standards set forth in Code section 85-4-



.01(3)(e). Authority 43-4B-50 (a)



(b) At least 2 security persons dressed and clearly identified as security must be



present. Authority 43-4B-50 (a)



(c) There must be a separation barrier between the ring and the spectators.



i. The barrier shall be made from metal, rope or other shatterproof material, stable, at



least 42 inches from the floor of the venue, and be designed to prevent a wrestler from exiting through the barrier into the seating



area during a contest; and ii. The barrier shall be 6 feet away from the ring and 4 feet from the first row of seating. Authority 43-4B-50 (a)

Change: “4 feet” changed to “2 feet”

(d) The ring mats must be cleaned and swept after each wrestling event and must be



replaced by the wrestling organization at least once per year or 24 shows. Authority 43-4B-50 a)



(e) Glass shall not be permitted to be used in any match, contest, or exhibition. Authority 43-4B-50 (a)



(f) Fire shall not make contact with any wrestler during a match, contest, or exhibition; and Authority 43-4B-50 (a)



(g) Illegal drugs and alcoholic beverages shall not be permitted in the locker rooms, dressing areas, or backstage during a wrestling match,



contest, or exhibition.



Authority 43-4B-50 (a)



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