PUBLIC PROTECTION CABINET

Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority

(As Amended at ARRS, March 12, 2012)

201 KAR 27:012. Wrestling show requirements.

      RELATES TO: KRS 229.021, 229.071(1), 229.081, 229.091, 229.101, 229.131, 229.171(1), 229.180(1)

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 229.021, 229.071, 229.091(1), 229.171(1), 229.180(1)[229.180(1)]

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 229.171(1) authorizes the authority to provide the sole direction, management, control, and jurisdiction over all professional boxing, sparring, and wrestling matches or exhibitions to be conducted, held, or given within the Commonwealth. KRS 229.180(1) authorizes the authority to promulgate administrative regulations necessary or expedient for the performance of its regulatory function. KRS 229.021 and 229.071(2) and (3) authorize[229.071(2) authorizes] the authority to grant annual licenses to applicants for participation in professional matches if the authority determines[judges] that the financial responsibility, experience, character, and general fitness of the applicant indicate[are such] that participation by the applicant is in the public interest. KRS 229.091(1) provides that every licensee shall be subject to the administrative regulations promulgated by the authority. This administrative regulation establishes the requirements for wrestling shows and for participants in wrestling matches.

      Section 1. The authority shall license each person[all persons] approved to participate in wrestling. Each license[All licenses] shall expire on December 31 of the year in which it is[they are] issued.

      Section 2. Application. (1) An applicant for a wrestling license shall complete and submit to the authority the form, ["]Application for License as a Wrestler, along with a photo identification or birth certificate.

(2)[", (5/06).] An applicant desiring to renew a wrestling license shall complete and submit to the authority the form, ["]Application for Renewal of License as a Wrestler.

(3)[", (5/06).] An applicant for a wrestling event staff or referee license shall complete and submit to the authority the form, ["]Application for License as a Wrestling Official, along with a photo identification or birth certificate[", (5/06)]. A copy of the applicant’s picture ID or birth certificate shall be submitted with any new application.

      Section 3. (1) The license fee for each participant shall be as follows:

(a)[(1)] Event staff: twenty (20) dollars;

(b)[(2)] Referee: twenty (20) dollars; and

(c)[(3)] Wrestler: twenty (20) dollars.

(2)[(4)] A wrestler certificate may be purchased for an additional ten (10) dollars.

      Section 4. Requirements for the Wrestling Ring and the Immediately Surrounding Area. (1) Each match[All matches] shall be held in a four (4) sided roped ring with the following specifications:

      (a) The minimum ring size shall be fourteen (14) feet by fourteen (14) feet;

      (b) The floor of the ring shall extend beyond the ropes for a distance of not less than one (1) foot;

      (c) The floor of the ring shall not be elevated[may be elevated not] more than six (6) feet above the arena floor; and

      (d) It may have steps to enter the ring on two (2) sides.

      (2) The ring shall be formed of ropes with the following specifications:

      (a) There shall be three (3) ropes extended in a triple line;

      (b) The ropes shall be at least one (1) inch in diameter; and

      (c) The ropes shall be clean, wrapped,[wrapped in a clean, soft material] and drawn taut.

      (3) The ropes shall be supported by ring posts that shall be:

      (a) Made of metal or other strong material;

      (b) Not less than three (3) inches in diameter; and

      (c) At least eighteen (18) inches from the rope.

      (4) The ring floor shall be padded or cushioned with a clean, soft material that:

      (a) Is at least one (1) inch in thickness;

      (b) Extends over the edge of the platform;

      (c) Is covered with canvas or a synthetic[similar] material stretched tightly, unless the event is held outdoors, in which case only canvas shall be used; and

      (d) Is clean, sanitary, and free from:

      1. Grit;

      2. Dirt;

      3. Resin;

      4. Blood; and

      5. Any other foreign object or substance.

      (5) The ring rope shall be attached to the ring posts by turnbuckles that shall be[are] padded with a soft pad at least six (6) inches in width.

      (6) The ring shall have an area of at least six (6) feet between the edge of the ring floor and the first row of spectator seats on all sides of the ring.

      (7) A partition, barricade, or some type of divider shall be placed:

      (a) Between the first row of the spectator seats and the six (6) foot area surrounding the ring; and

      (b) On both sides of the entry lane for wrestlers to enter the ring and the spectator area or, if an entry lane is not practical, all wrestlers shall be escorted to the ring[rind] by security.

      Section 5. The promoter may request an alternate ring design consisting of more than four (4) equal sides if[provided that] the square feet is not less than 196 square feet inside. This request shall be submitted in writing to the authority for approval no less than thirty (30) days before the show.

      Section 6. (1) Before the beginning of a wrestling show, all changes or substitutions in the advertised program of wrestling shall be posted at the ticket window and at the entrance to the facility.

      (2) Changes or substitutions shall also be announced in the ring before commencement of the first match along with the information that any ticket holder desiring a refund based on those announced changes or substitutions shall be entitled to receive a refund before commencement of the program.

      (3) A ticket purchaser[Purchasers of tickets] shall be entitled, upon request[by them], to a refund of the purchase price of the ticket[tickets], if the request is made before the commencement of the first match.

      Section 7.[.] (1) A licensed wrestler who has made a commitment to participate in a professional match and is unable to participate, for any reason, shall notify the promoter of the inability to participate within at least six (6) hours of the scheduled start time[as soon as possible].

      (2) Failure to notify the promoter in accordance with subsection (1) of this section shall[a timely manner may] constitute grounds for possible disciplinary action by the authority.

      Section 8. While participating in a professional match, a wrestler, referee, promoter, or wrestling event staff shall not:

      (1) Use, or direct another person to use, an[any] object or tactic to intentionally cut or cause bleeding to himself or another person. If a person accidentally bleeds while participating in an exhibition, show, or appearance, the individual bleeding shall cease participation in the match and may rejoin the match once the bleeding has stopped. The authority shall be notified within twenty-four (24) hours if bleeding occurs.[:

(a) Himself;

(b) An opponent; or

(c) Any other participant in the show.]

      (2) Use pyrotechnics on himself or another person; or[any pyrotechnic during the show on:

(a) Another wrestler;

(b) The referee; or

(c) Wrestling event staff.

(3) Bleed while participating in an exhibition or appearing at the site of a show.

(a) If an individual accidentally bleeds while participating in an exhibition, show, or appearance, the match shall end immediately and the KBWA shall be notified within twenty-four (24) hours.]

(3)[(4)] Use an object that is likely to[may][An object shall not be used during a wrestling show that may] cause a person to bleed.

(4)[(5)] Use unreasonable[a] physical or verbal threat of aggression[shall not be] directed toward a[any] member of the audience.

      Section 9. In the event that a scheduled show involves a match where blood capsules are to be used or wrestling is to take place in a substance, the promoter shall inform the authority no less than three (3) business days before the match.

      Section 10. A[Any] violation of this or any other administrative regulation in 201 KAR Chapter 27 that results in injury to a contestant, participant, or member of the audience shall[may] result in suspension, fine, [or]revocation of a license or a combination of these penalties[, at the discretion of the authority].

      Section 11. All wrestling or entertainment shall take place either in the ring or within the partitioned-off portion of the gym or arena. Physical activity shall not be permitted between wrestlers, referee, or wrestling event staff in the audience or outside of the safety partition.

      Section 12. Each promoter[All promoters] shall safeguard and provide a minimum of two (2) security guards for the premises where contests or exhibitions are conducted, including[but not limited to] the locker room, to ensure[insure to the satisfaction of the authority] that adequate protection against disorderly conduct has been provided. Any disorderly act, assault, or breach of decorum on the part of a[any] licensee at the premises shall be[is] prohibited.

      Section 13. (1) The promoter shall submit a request for a show date no less than five (5) calendar days before the requested date for approval by the authority.

      (2) The request shall be made by completing and submitting to the authority the form, ["]Wrestling Show Notice Form[", (2/06)].

      (3) There shall be no advertising of the event prior to approval.

      (4) Upon approval by the authority, all advertisements shall include the promoter’s license number.

      Section 14. Within twenty-four (24) hours of the conclusion of the wrestling show, the promoter shall, pursuant to KRS 229.031(1), complete and submit to the authority the form, ["]Wrestling Event Report[", (2/06)].

      Section 15. (1) The authority may [at any time]request a contestant to submit to a drug test at the contestant’s expense. The presence within a contestant of controlled substances, for which the contestant does not have a prescription, or refusal by the contestant to submit to the test, shall[may] result in suspension, fine, [or]revocation of a license, or a combination of these penalties[at the discretion of the authority].

(2) From arrival to the venue to the conclusion of the event, a contestant shall not consume, possess, or participate under the influence of alcohol or another[any other] substance that may affect the contestant’s ability to participate.

Section 16. (1) An initial applicant shall provide the authority with a copy of a sports physical conducted by a [licensed]physician licensed by a state medical board. This physical shall have been conducted no more than three (3) months prior to submission to the authority.

(2) A licensee over the age of forty-nine (49) shall submit a sports physical yearly upon renewal. This physical shall have been conducted mo more than three (3) months prior to submission to the authority.

Section 17. (1) Each show shall be video[All shows shall be visually] recorded and retained by the promoter for at least one (1) year.

(2) Upon request of the authority, the promoter shall provide the video[visual] recording of a show to the authority.

Section 18. A promoter shall provide separate locker rooms[room(s)] for males and females.

Section 19. A female shall not wrestle if she is pregnant.

Section 20.[16.] Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

      (a) "Application for License as a Wrestler", 1/2012[(5/06)];

      (b) "Application for Renewal of License as a Wrestler", 1/2012[(5/06)];

      (c) "Application for License as a Wrestling Official", 1/2012[(5/06)];

      (d) "Wrestling Show Notice Form", 1/2012[(5/06)]; and

      (e) "Wrestling Event Report", 1/2012[(5/06)].

      (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority office at 500 Mero Street, Capitol Plaza Tower, Room 509, Frankfort, Kentucky[KY] 40601[100 Airport Road, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601,], Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

GEORGE GINTER, Board Chair

PETER F. ERVIN, General Counsel

      For ROBERT D. VANCE, Secretary

      APPROVED BY AGENCY: February 15, 2012

      FILED WITH LRC: February 15, 2012 at 11 a.m.

      CONTACT PERSON: Angela Robertson, 500 Mero Street, Capitol Plaza Tower, Room 509, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, phone (502) 564-0085, fax (502) 564-3969.