<img src=’http://pwbts.com/columns/bob.gif’ align=’left’><h3>AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
<A HREF=’http://pwbts.com’>PWBTS.com</A></h3> First, some thoughts on last week’s column about the Cow Palace from Robert Goulding of San Leandro,CA:
<i>”I guess all good things must come to an end.
I remember saving money from my paper route to purchase a “ringside” seat at the Cow Palace, only to have my older brother, who bought his general admission ticket sit next to me. Lesson learned. From that night on, I only purchased tickets for genral admission but rarely sat “in the sticks”. That’s what we called the wooden seats up in the far corners.
I also had the good fortune of comp tickets to many of the wrestling matches during the early to mid 1970’s. I wish I had saved all or some of my old wrestling programs.
We met Pat Patterson after one event and my younger brother commented how soft his hands were. And don’t get caught trying to mess with any of the wrestlers! The security guards at the Cow Palace were more than happy to whoop the shit out anyone who got out of line. And the wrestlers were known to lend a hand, if needed.
I caught George “The Animal” Steele after his match sitting in the back, out of character, smoking a cigarette. I held up my Kodak instamatic camera, he shook his head, I put my camera away.
I’ve also snuck into many an event at the COW Palace. People were known to sneak in early and hide in the rafters prior to a concert. Or you could sneak in through the back past the horse stalls and try to outrun security. Ah. The good old days.
Alas, the Cow Palace is on highly valued land and the developers can’t wait. </i>
Now, an update on the wrestling legislation in Georgia, Georgia State Bill 413: where it stands and how it works?, courtesy of our friends at <A HREF=”http://www.georgiarestlinghistory.com”>Georgia Wrestling History</a>.
On March 11, 2008, the Senate approved SB 413 by a 49-6 margin. The law would govern boxing, kickboxing, MMA and wrestling, but still needs to be reconciled with the Georgia State House, potentially has to be sent to a Committee to be re-written, but below is a copy of the legislation and where things stand right now:
<i>Article 2A
43-4B-20.5.
(a) No person shall promote or hold a professional wrestling match, contest, or exhibition within this state without first applying for and obtaining a promoter’s license issued by the commission. Licenses shall be issued annually and shall expire on December 31 of each calendar year.
(b) Promoters shall apply to the commission for a license required by subsection (a) of this Code section on a form provided by the commission. The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee based on the size of the promotion as follows:
(1) For any promoter who employs or contracts with 25 or fewer professional wrestlers as part of the wrestling promotion, the annual license fee shall be $100.00;
(2) For any promoter who employs or contracts with more than 25 and fewer than 50 professional wrestlers as part of the wrestling promotion, the annual license fee shall be $250.00; and
(3) For any promoter who employs or contracts with 50 or more professional wrestlers as part of the wrestling promotion, the annual license fee shall be $500.00.
(d) The promoter shall file with the commission a surety bond or cash equivalent in the minimum amount of $5,000.00. However, this amount may be lowered by the commission.
(e) While promoting a professional wrestling match, contest, or exhibition in this state, the promoter shall:
(1) Hold a valid license issued by the commission as a professional wrestling promoter;
(2) File a pre-event report, as specified by the commission, with the commission ten days before each professional wrestling event. The report shall include:
(A) The name of the promoter and event;
(B) The time, date, and location of the event;
(C) The capacity of the venue;
(D) A list of professional wrestlers and the dates of licensure for each; and
(E) Notification of professional wrestlers’ intent to cut themselves, if applicable.
(3) File a post-event report, as specified by the commission, with the commission ten days after the professional wrestling event. The report shall include:
(A) The name of the promoter and event;
(B) The time the event began and ended;
(C) A list of professional wrestlers who actually participated;
(D) A list of professional wrestlers who bled; and
(E) A list of any instance which required actual medical attention by a physician or an ambulance service or police activities or actions; and.
(4) Ensure that wrestlers used in the professional wrestling match, contest, or exhibition hold valid licenses issued by the commission and have submitted to the commission the appropriate medical information as required by this chapter.
(f) A violation of this Code section is a misdemeanor and is additionally subject to the provisions of Code Sections 43-4B-19 and 43-4B-20.1.
43-4B-20.6.
(a) No professional wrestler shall perform in a professional wrestling match, contest, or exhibition within this state without first applying for and obtaining a professional wrestling license issued by the commission. Licenses shall be issued annually and shall expire on December 31 of each calendar year.
(b) The professional wrestler shall apply to the commission for a license required by subsection (a) of this Code section on a form provided by the commission. The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee not to exceed $20.00.
(c) All professional wrestlers performing in a match, contest, or exhibition shall be at least 18 years old and shall only perform inside the separation barrier defined in Code Section 43-4B-20.7.
(d) The professional wrestler’s application for licensure shall be accompanied with documentation, signed by a licensed physician, of passing a basic medical exam. The contents of the documentation shall be set by rule of the commission.
(e) A licensed professional wrestler may present, prior to the match, contest, or exhibition the results of an original copy of a blood test dated within 190 days of the match, contest, or exhibition which demonstrates that the wrestler is free from Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, or any other communicable disease. If such documentation is not provided prior to the match, contest, or exhibition and the professional wrestler bleeds, the performance shall cease immediately.
(f) No professional wrestler shall perform while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
(g) The use of anabolic steroids by a professional wrestler is prohibited unless prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition.
(h) A violation of this Code section is a misdemeanor and is additionally subject to the provisions of Code Sections 43-4B-19 and 43-4B-20.1.
43-4B-20.7.
(a) When a match, contest, or exhibition of professional wrestling occurs within this state, the promoter shall take necessary steps to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the wrestlers and the spectators. Such standards shall include the following:
(1) At least two security persons dressed and clearly identified as security must be present;
(2) There must be a separation barrier between the performance area and the spectators. The separation barrier shall be at least five feet from performance area, at least three feet high, and be of sturdy construction;
(3) The ring mats must be cleaned, swept, and disinfected after each wrestling event and must be replaced by the promoter at least once per year;
(4) Glass shall not be permitted to be used in any match, contest, or exhibition;
(5) Fire shall not make contact with any wrestler during a match, contest, or exhibition; and
(6) Illegal drugs and alcoholic beverages shall not be permitted in the locker rooms, dressing areas, or backstage during a wrestling match, contest, or exhibition.
(b) A violation of this Code section is a misdemeanor and is additionally subject to the provisions of Code Sections 43-4B-19 and 43-4B-20.1.
43-4B-20.8.
(a) Subject to the limitations of subsection (d) of this Code section, the commission shall have jurisdiction over any professional wrestling match, contest, or exhibition which occurs or is held within this state, is filmed in this state, or is broadcast or transmitted from this state.
(b) The commission shall have the authority to refuse to grant a license to an applicant or may revoke or suspend a license based on the guidelines set forth in Code Section 43-4B-13 or if the applicant has:
(1) Violated any provision of this article;
(2) Tested positive for a communicable disease which may be transmitted by blood; or
(3) Tested positive for a prohibited drug within 60 days preceding a match or event.
(c) The commission or the executive director may appoint one or more officials as duly authorized representatives of the commission to ensure that the provisions of this article are strictly observed. The officials shall have access to all areas of the venue including the locker rooms, dressing areas, and backstage area. Upon request of the promoter, a member or members of the event staff shall be allowed to accompany the officials.
(d) Except as is expressly provided under this Code section, the commission shall not have any jurisdiction to control, direct, or regulate the manner in which the professional wrestling match, contest, or exhibition is conducted, including the conduct or dress of the professional wrestlers while engaged in the match, contest, or exhibition.” </i>
Until next time…
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