Rules for Professional Wrestling

PURPOSE: This rule describes authorized practices to be employed for professional wrestling contests. (1) The promoter is responsible for ensuring that all statutes and rules promulgated by the office are strictly observed and carried out, including using only licensed individuals at all contests. (2) The referee and/or the office shall decide all questions arising out of a contest not specifically covered by the statutes and these rules. In all other respects, wrestling shall be subject to the statutes and rules governing this sport. (3) Wrestler’s Equipment. (A) A wrestler will be clothed in clean apparel. (B) A wrestler may wear two (2) pair of trunks, one (1) over the other. (C) If a wrestler wears shoes, they shall be fitted with soft tops, soft smooth soles, soft laces, and equipped with eyelets only. (D) A wrestler may not have any grease, lotion, or foreign substances on the body. (E) A female wrestler must wear trunks and a top. (F) The inspector present at the event may disallow the use of inappropriate attire or disqualify a wrestling participant for the lack of appropriate attire. (4) Contestants shall have their fingernails trimmed closely. (5) Ring Barrier. (A) A ring is enclosed within a barrier which shall be erected between the ring and the seating area in the arena. (B) The barrier shall be at least: 1. Six feet (6') away from the ring; and 2. Four feet (4') away from the first row of the seating area. (C) The ring barrier shall conform to the following requirements: 1. Be constructed of metal or other shatterproof material; 2. Be designed to prevent a wrestler from exiting through the barrier into the seating area during a contest; 3. Be built to a height of at least forty-two inches (42") from the floor of the arena; and 4. Be stable. (D) The ring barrier shall be approved by the office or the office’s representative before its use during a contest. (6) Time Limits. (A) A wrestling match may have a maximum time limit of sixty (60) minutes. (B) The office may authorize any other time limit. (7) A timekeeper shall begin the beginning of the time limit of a contest upon the referee’s signal and shall sound the bell at the referee’s command. (8) Conduct of Wrestling Contest. (A) A wrestling contest will be determined by— 1. One (1) fall; or 2. Two (2) out of three (3) falls. (9) Scoring a Fall. (A) A fall is scored by a wrestler when the wrestler’s opponent has both shoulders touching the mat for a count of three (3) seconds. (B) The referee shall signal the wrestler scoring a fall by immediately slapping the mat. (10) Breaking. (A) A wrestler: 1. Shall break a hold when instructed by the referee; 2. Failing to break upon instruction by the referee, the offending contestant shall be given a count of ten (10) to release the hold; and 3. Failing to release the hold after the count of ten (10), the offending contestant shall be disqualified and the opponent shall be awarded the match by the referee. (11) When any part of a contestant’s body is touching the ropes or is outside the ropes or if, in the judgment of the referee, the contestant is no longer able to properly protect him/herself, the referee shall call time and the contestants at once shall release any holds and return to the center of the ring to standing positions and resume the bout. (12) Disallowed Activities. (A) The following actions are disallowed: 1. Inhibiting breathing by covering the nose and mouth at the same time; and 2. Unsportsmanlike or physically dangerous conduct. (B) A wrestler continuing to engage in prohibited activities after sufficient warning may be disqualified by the referee. (C) No wrestling contestant may use a foreign object(s) or prop(s) with the deliberate intent to lacerate himself or herself, or one’s opponent. No animal blood or human blood, other than that of the wrestling contestants that is incidentally introduced during a match, may be used as a prop or special effect in any wrestling match. Vials, capsules, or any vessel containing a gel substance appearing to be or simulating blood may be used as a prop or special effect during a wrestling contest so long as the container cannot cause lacerations upon breakage. The intent to use a foreign object(s) or prop(s) during a wrestling match must be disclosed to the office prior to any wrestling contest and be subject to the approval of the inspector present at the event. This shall include any vial, capsule, or container holding a gel substance that is meant to simulate blood. (13) Refusal or Inability to Continue. (A) If a wrestler refuses or is physically unable to continue a match, the match shall be ended and the decision awarded to AND INSURANCE the wrestler’s opponent. (14) Tag Team Wrestling. (A) “Tag Team Wrestling” means a contest between two (2) teams each composed of two (2) or more wrestlers. (B) The time limit for this type of contest shall be a maximum of sixty (60) minutes. (C) A team shall be awarded a fall when a member of the team scores a fall against a member of the opposing team. (D) A two- (2-) minute rest period may be permitted between falls. (E) A tag team contest shall be conducted as follows: 1. The contest will begin with one (1) wrestler from each team inside the ring while the respective partners remain outside the ring on the apron; 2. The wrestler(s) outside the ring may not enter the ring unless a fall is scored or his/her partner has tagged his/her hand; 3. In order to be eligible to receive a tag, the wrestler’s partner shall be outside the ring on the apron in the proper corner with both feet on the ring apron and only receive the tag over the top ring rope; 4. When the tag is made, the wrestler making the tag shall leave the ring as the partner enters the ring; 5. Only two (2) wrestlers from opposing teams are permitted to be in the ring at any one (1) time; 6. After the scoring of a fall, a wrestler may relieve the partner; 7. If a wrestler is unable to continue, the wrestler’s partner may continue the contest alone; 8. The referee may call time after an injury to permit the injured wrestler to be removed from the ring; and 9. Release the rope provided in the team corner until officially tagged by the partner. (15) The referee shall warn a team of any disallowed conduct and may disqualify a team for persisting in disallowed conduct after a warning. (16) A wrestler may have a second who— (A) Shall remain in the wrestler’s corner outside the ring enclosure; and (B) The referee may immediately eject from the ring area any second engaging in disallowed activities after sufficient warning. (17) Referee. (A) The referee conducts the contest and enforces the regulations of the office. (B) The referee’s decision on any matter, whether arising under these regulations or not, is final. (C) Referees assigned to officiate a contest shall: 1. Be properly attired thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled time of the opening contest; and 2. Remain attired and available until all matches have been concluded. (18) Responsibility of Promoter. (A) A promoter shall be responsible to the office for the conduct of its representatives and employees, including officials and contestants affiliated with the event. (B) The promoter shall be responsible for conducting the wrestling contest in a safe, peaceable, and orderly fashion. (C) Violation of the office’s regulations by a representative or employee of the promoter, including officials and contestants affiliated with the event, may be grounds for disciplinary action against the promoter. AUTHORITY: sections 317.006 and 317.015, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 40-5.030. Original rule filed April 30, 1982, effective Sept. 11, 1982. Rescinded and readopted: Filed March 2, 1989, effective May 11, 1989. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Nov. 15, 2001, effective May 30, 2002. Amended: Filed July 1, 2004, effective Oct. 30, 2004. Amended: Filed May 13, 2005, effective Nov. 30, 2005. Moved to 20 CSR 2040-5.030, effective Aug. 28, 2006. Amended: Filed March 20, 2018, effective Sept. 30, 2018. *Original authority: 317.006, RSMo 1983, amended 1996, 2007 and 317.015, RSMo 1996, 2007.