Below is the most current, pending WRESTLING RULES that are under consideration by the GAEC (Georgia Athletic & Entertainment Commission).
Recently Andy Foster replaced Kelly Farr as the Executive Director of the GAEC. Foster who has a MMA background as a fighter and ref, has been pushing for fewer rules.
It is anticipated that the GAEC will vote rules for Pro Wrestling this month after efforts that began last year, then were suspended when efforts were made to change the law regulating wrestling. Those efforts failed to pass so the GAEC returned to rule making efforts.
Current law in Georgia only requires promoters to be registered and pay a $100 annual fee, and report to the GAEC. This law passed in 2005 but the GAEC never set up any reporting, and instead tried to agressively regulate wrestling beginning in 2007.
These are the rules that are currently being considered by the GAEC:
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
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
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basic medical exam. The form and contents of the documentation shall be
provided by the commission.
(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)
(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- (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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