A bill that removes professional wrestling from the State Boxing and Wrestling Commission’s overview is headed to the House after clearing the House Commerce Committee on a 14-2 vote. Houma Representative Beryl Amedée says regulation is not necessary for an event that is more theatrical than sport…

“Professional wrestling, believe it or not, is not actual combat. It is really a theatrical performance.”

Amedée says professional wrestling does not need to be regulated because what happens in the ring is choreographed and rehearsed. But the Chairman of the Boxing and Wrestling Commission Buddy Embanato says deregulation can create a health risk, and pro wrestling does involve physical contact…

“They have said nothing about illegal moves that can hurt you. Even though it is a predetermined outcome they still pick each other up and throw them across the ring.”

The commission also requires viral testing for things like HIV and Hepatitis C.

The WWE hosted their super bowl, called WrestleMania, in New Orleans twice in the past four years. New Orleans resident Brett Landry says states like Texas and Florida have no pro wrestling regulation and house WWE training facilities. He says that could expand to the Big Easy…

“It would be great to have some of those talents come from right here in our state. The difficulty behind that is the regulation of the commission not allowing us to broaden.”

Embanato says the commission does receive a promoter’s fee from wrestling organizations but they have lowered it to push the industry forward…

“A few years ago we came to your committee and reduced the 500 dollar fee to 250 dollars for wrestling and MTE [mixed technique event] guys to help stimulate the industry.”