Post by Andrew Pendelton III on Dec 17, 2007 18:53:04 GMT -5
Here is a copy of my letter to Secretary of State Karen Handel and Georgia Athletic Commission director K. Farr. Please send me an e-mail if there is anything that I can do to help. Also feel free to copy this e-mail and send it to either Mrs. Handel at sos@sos.ga.gov (404-656-2881) or K. Farr at kfarr@sos.ga.gov (404-656-2868).
Dear Mrs. Handel,
I am writing you in regards to the professional wrestling regulations proposed by the Georgia Athletic Comission. I feel that this e-mail, although long winded, is necessary to discuss certain issues with Athletic Comission's proposed regulations. I strongly feel that after reading the proposed regulations that none of the Commission members understand professional wrestling. To be blunt, professional wrestling is fake in every sense of the word. The moves are choreographed, the outcomes are pre-determined, and the events are purely for entertainment.
Professional wrestling is in no way like Mixed Martial Arts. This is a common misconception because professional wrestling thrives on the "suspension of disbelief" in order to make fans believe that the fighting is real. Without the perception of realism, professional wrestling would not and could not entertain/retain fans. In MMA the fighting is competitive and real, just like boxing. Fighters attempt to make their opponent submit or knock their opponent unconscious with serious physical strikes and submission attempts. In professional wrestling, moves are performed in a choreographed manner in order for them to appear real but allow the wrestlers to remain completely safe. Wrestlers are specifically trained how to perform moves and fall in order to keep themselves and their opponents safe. Just like a stunt man might take a fall, or an actor fake a punch, professional wrestlers are trained to make these "fake" moves appear real.
In professional wrestling, unlike boxing or MMA, the outcomes are pre-determined. Boxers and MMA fighters fight compete aganist each other in order to win a purse or cash prize. Professional wrestlers compete in order to entertain the crowd, not to win. Instead of MMA, it would be much easier to compare professional wrestling to a movie. It would be laughable for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Comission to regulate the boxing of Sylvester Stallone in "Rocky". Both you and I know that the fighting in the "Rocky" movie is both choreographed and pre-determined, however, when watching the movie it could be hard for someone with no boxing experience to believe that the boxing was'nt real. Professional wrestling is similar in that aspect. The key to professional wrestling is that the fans believe that the action inside the ring is real, while at the same time, the wrestlers in the ring are actually working together to put on a safe, realistic, and entertaining show.
I would like to provide a list of some specific regulations that would not apply or don't apply in context as examples:
5. Before any event can take place a physician must be at ringside and stay at ringside throughout the event. The physician fee is paid by the promoter. Also, an ambulance with 2 EMTs must be present at ringside throughout the event. There must be adequate security personnel in the arena to control fans and the wrestlers.
This regulation would be very accurate and helpful in reguards to boxing or MMA, however, a doctor and EMTs would not be necessary or plausible due to the fictional nature of the contest and the money involved to support such a requirement. Wrestling moves are not performed to inflict physical harm, therefore, having a doctor and EMTs on premisis would pointless. I could compare this to a play with stage fighting, which has no such requirement. The action is choreographed, just like professional wrestling, therefore there is no need for medical personel.
7. No one under the age of 18 is allowed in any area of the venue other than their seat except when accompanied by a guardian.
I believe that this rule is designed only to discourage fans from attending wrestling events. Their are no stipulations involved with any other professional sport that I can find, and no other reason to require this regulation.
11. A physical or verbal threat of aggression shall not be directed twoard any member of the audience.
This regulation is not realistic in relation to professional wrestling. Part of a professional wrestling match is interaction with the crowd. This is in no way legitimate. The wrestlers job is to entertain, and crowd interaction not only welcomed by fans, it is expected. The verbal interaction between wrestlers and fans is no different than the interaction between a stand up comic and a heckeler or a interactive play and an audience member.
14. Wrestler's Equipment.
a. A wrestler shall be clothed in clean apparel.
b. A wrestler may wear two (2) pairs 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.
Most wrestlers are defined by their attire. Fans have the ability to recognize certain wrestlers based upon their clothing. Also clothing is instrumental for characterization and drastically adds to the entertainment of the show. Note: It would seem silly to regulate the attire of actors in a play. Attire is critical to the storyline, just as it is with professional wrestling.
These are just a few outstanding examples of regulations that have been arbitratily included or imposed out of context. I feel that a much more thourough understanding and investigation of professional wrestling must be aquired and performed before any regulations should be imposed or even suggested. I respectfully disagree with any Athletic Comission making regulations on any event that they arguably do not understand. I would enjoy the opportunity to discuss this matter with any or all of the members of the Gerogia Athletic Comission by phone or in person. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns before passing any regulations that may leave a dramatically harmful and completely negative affect on professional wrestling in Georgia.
Sincerely,
Drew Horsefield
Dear Mrs. Handel,
I am writing you in regards to the professional wrestling regulations proposed by the Georgia Athletic Comission. I feel that this e-mail, although long winded, is necessary to discuss certain issues with Athletic Comission's proposed regulations. I strongly feel that after reading the proposed regulations that none of the Commission members understand professional wrestling. To be blunt, professional wrestling is fake in every sense of the word. The moves are choreographed, the outcomes are pre-determined, and the events are purely for entertainment.
Professional wrestling is in no way like Mixed Martial Arts. This is a common misconception because professional wrestling thrives on the "suspension of disbelief" in order to make fans believe that the fighting is real. Without the perception of realism, professional wrestling would not and could not entertain/retain fans. In MMA the fighting is competitive and real, just like boxing. Fighters attempt to make their opponent submit or knock their opponent unconscious with serious physical strikes and submission attempts. In professional wrestling, moves are performed in a choreographed manner in order for them to appear real but allow the wrestlers to remain completely safe. Wrestlers are specifically trained how to perform moves and fall in order to keep themselves and their opponents safe. Just like a stunt man might take a fall, or an actor fake a punch, professional wrestlers are trained to make these "fake" moves appear real.
In professional wrestling, unlike boxing or MMA, the outcomes are pre-determined. Boxers and MMA fighters fight compete aganist each other in order to win a purse or cash prize. Professional wrestlers compete in order to entertain the crowd, not to win. Instead of MMA, it would be much easier to compare professional wrestling to a movie. It would be laughable for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Comission to regulate the boxing of Sylvester Stallone in "Rocky". Both you and I know that the fighting in the "Rocky" movie is both choreographed and pre-determined, however, when watching the movie it could be hard for someone with no boxing experience to believe that the boxing was'nt real. Professional wrestling is similar in that aspect. The key to professional wrestling is that the fans believe that the action inside the ring is real, while at the same time, the wrestlers in the ring are actually working together to put on a safe, realistic, and entertaining show.
I would like to provide a list of some specific regulations that would not apply or don't apply in context as examples:
5. Before any event can take place a physician must be at ringside and stay at ringside throughout the event. The physician fee is paid by the promoter. Also, an ambulance with 2 EMTs must be present at ringside throughout the event. There must be adequate security personnel in the arena to control fans and the wrestlers.
This regulation would be very accurate and helpful in reguards to boxing or MMA, however, a doctor and EMTs would not be necessary or plausible due to the fictional nature of the contest and the money involved to support such a requirement. Wrestling moves are not performed to inflict physical harm, therefore, having a doctor and EMTs on premisis would pointless. I could compare this to a play with stage fighting, which has no such requirement. The action is choreographed, just like professional wrestling, therefore there is no need for medical personel.
7. No one under the age of 18 is allowed in any area of the venue other than their seat except when accompanied by a guardian.
I believe that this rule is designed only to discourage fans from attending wrestling events. Their are no stipulations involved with any other professional sport that I can find, and no other reason to require this regulation.
11. A physical or verbal threat of aggression shall not be directed twoard any member of the audience.
This regulation is not realistic in relation to professional wrestling. Part of a professional wrestling match is interaction with the crowd. This is in no way legitimate. The wrestlers job is to entertain, and crowd interaction not only welcomed by fans, it is expected. The verbal interaction between wrestlers and fans is no different than the interaction between a stand up comic and a heckeler or a interactive play and an audience member.
14. Wrestler's Equipment.
a. A wrestler shall be clothed in clean apparel.
b. A wrestler may wear two (2) pairs 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.
Most wrestlers are defined by their attire. Fans have the ability to recognize certain wrestlers based upon their clothing. Also clothing is instrumental for characterization and drastically adds to the entertainment of the show. Note: It would seem silly to regulate the attire of actors in a play. Attire is critical to the storyline, just as it is with professional wrestling.
These are just a few outstanding examples of regulations that have been arbitratily included or imposed out of context. I feel that a much more thourough understanding and investigation of professional wrestling must be aquired and performed before any regulations should be imposed or even suggested. I respectfully disagree with any Athletic Comission making regulations on any event that they arguably do not understand. I would enjoy the opportunity to discuss this matter with any or all of the members of the Gerogia Athletic Comission by phone or in person. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns before passing any regulations that may leave a dramatically harmful and completely negative affect on professional wrestling in Georgia.
Sincerely,
Drew Horsefield