Statement of Introduction
Theatrical Wrestling Regulation Amendment Act of 2024
September 23, 2024
Today, I am introducing the “Theatrical Wrestling Regulation Amendment Act of
2024”. The independent “pro” wrestling scene has a storied history in the District –
especially as a way of creating spaces of cultural and community importance, by and for
Black, Latino, and LGBTQ wrestlers and spectators.
These wrestling exhibitions are much closer to theater performance than a sport like
boxing – pro wrestling match outcomes are usually pre-determined or non-competitive and
moves are choreographed in advance. However, a small independent wrestling event and a
title fight in Capital One Area are both subject to the same set of laws and regulations
administered by the Combat Sports Commission.
Unfortunately, D.C.’s tight regulatory environment and extremely high costs have
driven nearly all of small pro wrestling events to Maryland and Virginia.
Wrestling regulation reform is a current focus of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on
LGBTQ Affairs. In the lead-up to World Pride, there is a strong interest in putting on events
during the festival and bringing the scene back to the District permanently.
This legislation defines “theatrical wrestling” as its own class of event (limited to
smaller venues) and reduce the burdens that have made it close to impossible to put these
events on in the District. It is in line with legislation recently passed in Washington
State and Louisiana, and longstanding policy in states like Missouri and Virginia.
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Councilmember Zachary Parker
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Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau
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Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr.
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A BILL
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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To amend the Boxing and Wrestling Commission Act of 1975 to clarify exemptions, 1
including theatrical wrestling events. 2
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 4
act may be cited as the “Theatrical Wrestling Regulation Amendment Act of 2024”. 5
Sec. 2. The Boxing and Wrestling Commission Act of 1975, effective October 8, 1975 6
(D.C. Official Code § 3-601 et seq., D.C. Law 1-20) is amended to read as follows: 7
(a) Section 3 is amended as follows: 8
(1) Existing paragraph (1) is designated (1B). 9
(2) A new paragraph (1A) is added to read as follows: 10
“(1A) “Amateur” means an individual who has never participated in a boxing, martial 11
arts, or professional wrestling event for money, compensation, or reward other than a suitably 12
inscribed memento.”. 13
(3) A new paragraph (8A) is added to read as follows: 14
“(8A) “Theatrical wrestling” means the performance of sports entertainment in which: 15 2
“(A) Two or more participants work together in a performance of mock combat 16
for the purpose of entertainment; 17
“(B)(i) The outcome is predetermined; 18
“(ii) performance is choreographed in advance; 19
“(iii) is noncompetitive; or, 20
“(iv) participants do not necessarily strive to win; and, 21
“(C) Takes place in a venue with a total audience capacity of fewer than 2,000 22
attendees, or as part of a festival or other special event.”. 23
(b) Section 6(b) is amended to read as follows: 24
“(b) The provisions of this act shall not apply to: 25
“(1) Amateur wrestling bouts; 26
“(2) Amateur exhibitions and the amateur participants therein; 27
“(3) Engagements involving amateur martial arts that are conducted by or held 28
under the sponsorship any elementary or secondary school or public or private institution of 29
higher education located in the District of Columbia; 30
“(4) Amateur boxing; and, 31
“(5) Theatrical wrestling events.”. 32
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 33
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 34
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 35
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 36
Sec. 4. Effective date. 37
This act shall take effect after approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 38
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 39 3
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 40
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 41
Columbia Register. 42