1.) Definition

A wrestling match shall consist of a physical confrontation between wrestlers, typically two individual athletes or two teams of athletes, who have demonstrated proficiency in the skills contiguous to the sport and who are in sound physical condition. Wrestlers shall be of good moral character and shall not be fugitives from justice.

A wrestling match shall be held in a “ring” constructed in accordance with specific standards, as available upon request to any persons who have been approved for the promotion of sanctioned wrestling events.

2.) Objective

The primary goal of a wrestling match shall be to gain a victory over one’s opponent through the use of a legal hold or series of legal holds and maneuvers, as witnessed by the referee in charge of the event, typically by:

a.) Pinfall: Pinning both of an opponent’s shoulders to the mat for a referee’s three-count.

b.) Submission: Forcing an opponent to submit, usually to a hold, via tap-out or verbal surrender.

c.) Knock-out: Rendering an opponent unconscious, as determined by the referee.

d.) Count-out: If an opponent fails to respond to the referee’s ten-count. [1.5]

e.) Disqualification: Violating rules.[1.4]

3.) Legal Holds

Holds and maneuvers which are allowed in AAU, NCAA and Olympic wrestling competition shall be permitted in professional matches. Additional holds which are not permitted in amateur competition, but which involve the use of the hands, arms, feet and legs in grasping and manipulating an opponent in such a way as to gain a position of advantage in a manner consistent with the basic objectives of the sport as outlined herein, shall be permitted, provided they are not specifically excluded herein or by subsequent directive.

4.) Holds and Conduct Not Allowed

Certain holds and types of behavior, inherently unsportsmanlike or for other reasons not in the best interests of professional wrestling, will not be allowed. Wrestlers failing to adhere to these restrictions will be subject to disqualification and/or subsequent disciplinary action.

a.) Any wrestler who deliberately strikes an opponent in the groin is subject to immediate disqualification.

b.) Any wrestler using a non-regulation object as a weapon against an opponent is subject to immediate disqualification.

c.) Any interference in a match on the part of an individual who is not a designated participant shall be grounds for the disqualification of the contestant(s) who, in the referee’s judgment, was being aided by said interference. This stipulation shall apply to managers and seconds, as well as to any other parties who illegally involve themselves in a match.

d.) Ignoring the referee’s five-count during rope breaks or corner attacks is subject to disqualification. [1.6]

e.) The use of a closed fist is not permitted. A referee is authorized to disqualify a wrestler for the use of a closed fist after appropriate warnings.

f.) Kicking with the point of the toe or heel is not permitted. Kicking with the flat of the foot or instep is allowed.

g.) The use of Karate or Kung-fu thrusts or kicks is prohibited. Certain non-lethal judo moves, which may resemble these prohibited maneuvers, are allowed. Referees are expected to exercise extreme care in differentiating between legal and illegal martial arts tactics.

h.) Pulling of hair, mask, tights or athletic gear of any sort to gain an advantage is prohibited.

i.) Eye-gouging or other efforts which would tend to impair an opponent’s vision is prohibited.

j.) Biting any part of an opponent’s anatomy is strictly prohibited.

k.) Bending an opponent’s individual fingers in such a way as to bring about a possible fracture or sprain is not allowed.

l.) Choke holds are prohibited, as is any use of the ring ropes for the purpose of impairing an opponent’s breathing.

m.) Taping of knuckles, wrists or any part of the hand, except as certified to be necessary by a physician, is prohibited.

n.) Any abuse, physical or verbal, of an official shall be grounds for disqualification and possible fine or suspension.

o.) Attacking an opponent before the opening bell, after the final bell or between falls will be grounds for disciplinary action at the discretion of the referee or the reviewing officials.

p.) The use of any hold or maneuver not specified herein, but which in the judgment of the director is especially dangerous to participants in sanctioned wrestling events may, at any time, be prohibited by a directive from headquarters.

Unless otherwise stated, a referee will disqualify a wrestler when an infraction for which said wrestler has been warned twice shall be committed for a third time. However, a referee shall have the discretion to disqualify a wrestler at any time said referee feels that a deliberate infraction of the rules would otherwise alter the outcome of a match in favor of the wrestler committing the infraction.

5.) Count-out

a.) If a wrestler is outside the ring. They shall have ten seconds as counted off by the referee in which to re-enter the ring.

b.) If a wrestler is in a prone position on the canvas without being in physical contact with his opponent, and is temporarily unable to wrestle in the judgement of the referee. They shall have ten seconds as counted off by the referee in which to stand up in the ring.

The count shall continue only while the remaining contestant is in a neutral corner, making no effort to impede their opponent’s return to or stand up in the ring.

If the referee’s count is interrupted at any point, it shall be resumed at its beginning, not at the point of interruption, and only after order has been restored.

Any wrestler taking a full ten-count in the above circumstances shall be “counted out” and declared the loser of the match.

6.) Rope Breaks

If either contestant is in physical contact with the ropes or if any part of either contestant’s body is outside the vertical plane of the ring ropes, a hold is not allowed. In this state the match cannot be decided by pinfall or submission.

The referee will instruct the wrestler applying the hold in such cases to desist, and the wrestler applying the hold will have five seconds, as counted off by the referee, in which to comply.

7.) Tag Team Matches

Wrestlers wishing to participate in tag team matches may do so in accordance with the customary contractual procedures.

a.) In the event one member of a tag team is unable to wrestle or fails to make an appearance, their partner(s) have the option of finding a substitute, forfeiting the match, or facing  the opponents by themselves in a “handicap”  In the case of “handicap” matches, the numerically disadvantaged team or individual must sign an appropriate waiver of indemnity.

b.) Only one member of a tag team is to be in the ring at any given time while the match is in progress. A five second transition period is permitted to facilitate wrestlers on a team exchanging places in the ring.

c.) Wrestlers on the same team can exchange places in the ring only after a legal tag-out has been accomplished. This must consist of a wrestler inside the perimeter of the ring ropes using one of their hands to make physical contact with one of the hands of their partner outside the perimeter of the ring ropes, who shall be in a standing position, within arm’s length of their own corner, with both feet on the mat and one arm over the top rope. A tag-out shall not be allowed if the wrestler on the outside of the ring is not appropriately positioned.

d.) The referee may, at their discretion, disallow any tag-out which they do not see or which they have reason to believe did not occur in accordance with the above stipulations.

e.) Tag team may consist of two, or three or more wrestlers within a reasonable number, and provided their opposing teams have an equal number of participants.

f.) Unless otherwise stipulated, a tag team match may be won by defeating only one member of the opposing team.

g.) “Mixed” tag team matches will be conducted in such a manner that female participants are not required to wrestle directly against male opponents.