New York State Athletic Commission Changes Guidelines For Pro Wrestling For 2017

PWInsider is reporting that the New York State Athletic Commission, which oversees pro wrestling in that state, is going to be planning several guidelines changes that'll start in January 2017.   A large chunk of the rules are due to the NYSAC updating their guidelines after MMA became legal in the state finally.

This will unlikely effect WWE, Northeast Wrestling or Ring of Honor but could make it super expensive for some independent promotions to even bother continuing doing shows in NY. 

The biggest change in the updated guidelines for next year is that promotions can no longer lend or “rent” their promoting license to anyone.

 “Engaging in fraud or fraudulent practices, or for dishonest or misleading advertising, including representing a professional wrestling event as anything but an exhibition, availing the entity’s license to another, or for demonstrated untrustworthiness or incompetency in relation to the promotion or conduct of professional wrestling exhibitions could result in the promoter’s license being revoked.”

Back before this change coming next year there used to be one licensed promoter who could promote an event under their banner while someone else ran, booked and promoted it. 

The other notable one is  “one ambulance with medical personnel consisting of at least one paramedic with appropriate resuscitation equipment must be continuously present on the scene at all events.” If there's no ambulance, then there's no show going on.

To close this off, the new guidelines also suggest that wrestlers can’t play a bad guy (heel) character by interacting with the audience anymore.

“In no event shall a participant be permitted to threaten, molest, hit or abuse, physically or verbally, any spectator, or engage in any conduct endangering the health, safety, or well being of any spectator during the course of a professional wrestling exhibition.”

Read a lot more here and then here for PWInsider Elites.