AS I SEE IT - 9/05/2003:
Delaware's state capital wants to ban wrestling
by: Bob Magee
Here we go again...
There are again people within government who want to sanitize sports
entertainment for your protection. This in the State of Delaware, which
prides itself on its lack of government interference in the operations of
businesses... where "incorporated in Delaware" is an expression easily
understood within corporate law.
Dover Newszap.com reports in an article Wednesday at
this URL that the city of Dover may, in essence, outlaw professional
wrestling as well as Tough Man and "extreme fighting contests".
The article appears below, followed by e-mail addresses to contact City
Councilpersons and the Township Mayor to express your feelings about such a
proposed law.
DOVER - A proposed ordinance designed to prohibit combative fighting in
Dover has left some businesses perplexed about the future of professional
wrestling events in the city.
The ordinance would outlaw events with "prearranged" results, but city
officials said it should not affect "sanctioned" pro wrestling, including a
local promotion. The measure was drafted in response to a video depicting an
"extreme fighting match" that was held last year at Rack's Bar and Billiards
on U.S. 13.
Dover Fire Marshal David Truax said the video showed Philadelphia-based
pro-wrestling promotion Combat Zone Wrestling holding an event at the bar
that was "not actually wrestling."
Participants were hitting each other with light bulbs, he said, and someone
turned a Weed Whacker on another man. "They say it's not real," he said,
"but when you're getting hit in the stomach with a Weed Whacker, it's pretty
hard to fake."
CZW's Web site bills the promotion as "ultra-violent" and lists Rack's as
one of its five venues. Three are in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Councilman Eugene B. Ruane said the video was "very horrendous, almost
stomach turning" and something council does not want in the city. "One of
our goals in the city is to promote public safety," he said, "and this is
contrary to that goal." Under the measure, ultimate fighting matches and
"tough man" competitions would be prohibited, as would "sham or collusive
contests ... (where) the results thereof have been prearranged."
The outcomes of professional wrestling matches almost always are
predetermined and the event is viewed more as an athletic exhibition than a
competition.
Council approved a first reading of the proposed ordinance Aug. 25 and the
measure will be on the slate Monday for a final vote.
Rack's owner James Kozel criticized the city for drafting the ordinance,
noting it would create more questions than answers. "We need someone to say
what's acceptable," he said. "It's opening a can of worms. It's not black
and white. It leaves things open to interpretation."
City Solicitor Nicholas H. Rodriguez, who helped draft the original measure,
said the ordinance would not prohibit professionally sanctioned matches,
such as those held by billion-dollar company World Wrestling Entertainment.
Mr. Kozel said he has hosted three CZW shows this year, with the most recent
in July drawing 1,000. The shows are catered to adults, a fact he said he
does not hide. "It's intended to be entertaining," he said. "If 1,000 people
come to the show, you would think it's a success. This is hardcore
wrestling. It's not for everyone." He said he planned to hold another CZW
event in October, but it is in doubt with the ordinance up for a vote.
J.W.'s Restaurant & Sports Lounge owner Steve Grossman heads up Delaware
Championship Wrestling, a professional promotion based out of Dover.
While his organization caters to families more than CZW, he said he
personally enjoys the hardcore wrestling shows. "As a paying adult, why
can't I go over there in a closed environment and enjoy it?" he asked.
Despite the opinion of city officials, Mr. Grossman said he is unsure how
the ordinance could affect his promotion and has requested information from
the city and intends to talk with Dover officials about the measure.
Let's go through this...
Under the measure, ultimate fighting matches and "tough man" competitions
would be prohibited, as would "sham or collusive contests ... (where) the
results thereof have been prearranged."
Sounds like all professional wrestling to me... and not just some of them.
Dover Fire Marshal David Truax said the video showed Philadelphia-based
pro-wrestling promotion Combat Zone Wrestling holding an event at the bar
that was 'not actually wrestling.'"
And the definition of "wrestling" is what? Professional? Collegiate?
Amateur? Or what one individual decides that he doesn't like?
City Solicitor Nicholas H. Rodriguez, who helped draft the original
measure, said the ordinance would not prohibit professionally sanctioned
matches, such as those held by billion-dollar company World Wrestling
Entertainment.
There IS no sanctioning body in the State of Delaware involving professional
wrestling. WWE is a company, not a "sanctioning body", so this statement is
utter nonsense. If this is an attempt to avoid pissing off the WWE, Dover's
City Council should be aware that WWE has a history of avoiding states and
localities which attempt to govern wrestling beyond the normal business
governance of a State Athletic Commission.
It's interesting to see the comments of the Wrestling Observer's Dave
Meltzer regarding these proposed regulations:
The city of Dover, DE will be voting on an ordinance Monday that would
ban pro wrestling, tough man contest and "extreme fighting contests" within
city limits. The funny thing is the [law's] sponsors have made it clear they
would welcome WWE... I don't understand how they would be able to draft an
ordinance without being very specific, because unless they ban certain
things from taking place in pro wrestling, and then do [it] across the board
for anyone who comes to town, it's going to be ripe for a legal
challenge.
Professional wrestling fans that wish to contact the Dover, DE town council
are urged to do as soon as possible.
First, here's the sponsor of the legislation... Representative - 2nd District
Eugene B. Ruane. He can be e-mailed at generuane@aol.com.
Here are the remaining members of the Dover City Council:
Council President - 2nd District/William P. McGlumphy jgreen-wpm@dover.de.us
Mayor Honorable James L. Hutchison jhutchison@dover.de.us
Representative - 1st District Beverly C. Williams jgreen-bcw@dover.de.us
Representative - 1st District Stephen R. Speed jgreen-srs@dover.de.us
Representative - 3rd District Robert G. Ritter, Jr. rgritter@verizon.net
Representative - 3rd District William P. Truitt jgreen-wpt@dover.de.us
Representative - 4th District John W. Pitts jgreen-jwp@dover.de.us
Representative - 4th District Reuben Salters jgreen-rs@dover.de.us
Representative - At-Large Carleton E. Carey, Sr. jgreen-cec@dover.de.us
Let them know in a well-written, literate manner that, should such legislation pass, and should said regulations prevent CZW or other wrestling
shows from taking place in the city, you'll boycott any business in the township and urge your friends to do the same.
Add to your letters that WWE management and their lawyer Jerry McDevitt have
been informed of said proposed law, and that WWE will seldom run shows in
areas where regulation beyond that of a normal state Athletic Commission
takes place... regardless of what weasel words the City Solicitor may have
placed within the law to keep WWE out of the law.
Remind them as well of the thousands of dollars contributed to the Dover
economy at each show... that will go elsewhere, especially at a time where
area bars and restaurants are already suffering due to the recently enacted
smoking ban in bars and restaurants.
To put a figure on it... Let's assume, since the Delaware shows are sold
shows, and the profits are made by local businesses and not CZW; that of a
total of (basing on PWBTS crowd estimates of 350, 700, 500 for the three
summer shows) 1550 fans attended the three events in Dover this summer.
Let's assume that they paid for their tickets ($20-35/per show), bought
beer, water, food and a variety of other purchases to the tune of $30 per
show (considering prices of beer, food and such, that's not unreasonable).
It's thus reasonable to assume that the businesses on the commercial strip
of Dover made a minimum of $85,000 from these three shows.
Is the City of Dover prepared to take away $85,000 or more from merchants at
a time when (according to published reports) the new State smoking ban is
hurting bars and restaurants to the tune of 25-30%. Forget the economy in
general. Further, if this affects any future WWE shows (presumably smaller
shows drawing 2,000-3,000) in Dover, multiply the numbers accordingly.
Until or unless the State of Delaware is prepared to regulate ALL wrestling,
and not just those promotions without the money to fight back...tell those
politicians to mind their own damned business....particularly politicians
from a state like Delaware that claims to be business friendly that are, in
fact, going to hurt local businesses at time when they can least afford it.
Time to do some work again if you're a wrestling fan again, folks...
Start writing.
Until next time...
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(If you have comments or questions, I can be reached by
e-mail at bobmagee1@hotmail.com)