Jazzmyn
5-04-03, 02:08 AM
Bill has Oregon ready to rumble
The Legislature clears the way for pro wrestling in the state.
JOANNE YUAN
Statesman Journal
May 3, 2003
Brawny entertainers costumed in tight spandex soon will be throwing chairs — and each other — in Oregon now that the state Legislature has completed action on a bill to unleash professional wrestlers.
By a 20-3 vote, the Senate on Friday approved House Bill 3581, which recognizes professional wrestling as “entertainment,” not a sport, clearing the way for the first rowdy exhibition later this month.
The bill does add some restrictions designed to prevent some of the mayhem now seen on television: no hitting with clenched fists, gouging of eyes, pulling hair (or whiskers), deliberate elbowing, twisting or pulling of ears, or flying through the air and landing on opponents.
The bill now moves to Gov. Kulongoski, who apparently is foregoing his right to place the bill in a legislative headlock.
Mary Ellen Glynn, the communications director for the governor, said Kulongoski did not advocate for the bill, but now that it has passed the Legislature, he will sign it.
For the past 10 years, strict guidelines have kept pro wrestling out of the state even as its popularity has soared through flashy wrestling competitions and the rise of such personalities as “The Rock,” “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and “The Undertaker.”
Under current state rules, professional wrestling is overseen by the state Boxing and Wrestling Commission, and wrestlers must submit to examinations by Oregon doctors 30 days before events.
That has proven to be an obstacle to the staging of wrestling extravaganzas in Oregon.
Gary Davis, communications vice president of World Wrestling Entertainment, said it would cost thousands of dollars to fly entertainers to Oregon for checkups and then back home.
House Bill 3581 eliminates the rule, but requires that a medical record of the wrestler’s health be sent to the state 10 days before competitions.
The bill also specifies that all professional wrestling events must have pre-determined outcomes and that promoters must get state promoter’s licenses.
World Wrestling Entertainment already has committed to four events in the state this year. The first will be held at the Rose Garden in Portland on May 31.
Rep. Tootie Smith, who sponsored the bill, said HB 3581 will help the state’s economy. She said pro wrestling can bring almost $15 million in revenue to Oregon per year.
“I am pushing this because it is a guaranteed economic stimulus,” said Smith, R-Molalla.
During Friday’s Senate debate, Sen. Margaret Carter, D-Portland, echoed that view, and said HB 3581 will produce tax revenue that would not otherwise be available.
However, some senators were not as ready to rumble.
Sen. Bill Morrisette, D-Springfield, said pro wrestling is “unhealthy” entertainment for kids, and criticized its violent content and the way it portrays women.
“I’ve always been proud we didn’t have wrestling in Oregon,” he said. “It glorifies violence in the extreme.”
Smith, however, said such concerns should be left to parents to resolve.
“It’s up to parents to monitor the television or not send them to see it,” she said.
Tongue firmly in cheek, Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, said she was “absolutely shocked” to learn that pro wrestling was staged — and not a sport — but she endorsed the bill anyway.
Sen. Jason Atkinson, R-Jacksonville, opposed the bill, saying pro wrestling was not the type of activity the state should promote.
“Once you let them into the state, they’ll want to run for office,” he also quipped
Some interesting rules added for this. lol :rolleyes:
The Legislature clears the way for pro wrestling in the state.
JOANNE YUAN
Statesman Journal
May 3, 2003
Brawny entertainers costumed in tight spandex soon will be throwing chairs — and each other — in Oregon now that the state Legislature has completed action on a bill to unleash professional wrestlers.
By a 20-3 vote, the Senate on Friday approved House Bill 3581, which recognizes professional wrestling as “entertainment,” not a sport, clearing the way for the first rowdy exhibition later this month.
The bill does add some restrictions designed to prevent some of the mayhem now seen on television: no hitting with clenched fists, gouging of eyes, pulling hair (or whiskers), deliberate elbowing, twisting or pulling of ears, or flying through the air and landing on opponents.
The bill now moves to Gov. Kulongoski, who apparently is foregoing his right to place the bill in a legislative headlock.
Mary Ellen Glynn, the communications director for the governor, said Kulongoski did not advocate for the bill, but now that it has passed the Legislature, he will sign it.
For the past 10 years, strict guidelines have kept pro wrestling out of the state even as its popularity has soared through flashy wrestling competitions and the rise of such personalities as “The Rock,” “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and “The Undertaker.”
Under current state rules, professional wrestling is overseen by the state Boxing and Wrestling Commission, and wrestlers must submit to examinations by Oregon doctors 30 days before events.
That has proven to be an obstacle to the staging of wrestling extravaganzas in Oregon.
Gary Davis, communications vice president of World Wrestling Entertainment, said it would cost thousands of dollars to fly entertainers to Oregon for checkups and then back home.
House Bill 3581 eliminates the rule, but requires that a medical record of the wrestler’s health be sent to the state 10 days before competitions.
The bill also specifies that all professional wrestling events must have pre-determined outcomes and that promoters must get state promoter’s licenses.
World Wrestling Entertainment already has committed to four events in the state this year. The first will be held at the Rose Garden in Portland on May 31.
Rep. Tootie Smith, who sponsored the bill, said HB 3581 will help the state’s economy. She said pro wrestling can bring almost $15 million in revenue to Oregon per year.
“I am pushing this because it is a guaranteed economic stimulus,” said Smith, R-Molalla.
During Friday’s Senate debate, Sen. Margaret Carter, D-Portland, echoed that view, and said HB 3581 will produce tax revenue that would not otherwise be available.
However, some senators were not as ready to rumble.
Sen. Bill Morrisette, D-Springfield, said pro wrestling is “unhealthy” entertainment for kids, and criticized its violent content and the way it portrays women.
“I’ve always been proud we didn’t have wrestling in Oregon,” he said. “It glorifies violence in the extreme.”
Smith, however, said such concerns should be left to parents to resolve.
“It’s up to parents to monitor the television or not send them to see it,” she said.
Tongue firmly in cheek, Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, said she was “absolutely shocked” to learn that pro wrestling was staged — and not a sport — but she endorsed the bill anyway.
Sen. Jason Atkinson, R-Jacksonville, opposed the bill, saying pro wrestling was not the type of activity the state should promote.
“Once you let them into the state, they’ll want to run for office,” he also quipped
Some interesting rules added for this. lol :rolleyes: