Professional Wrestling Rules and Bylaws
Country Club Wrestling Association of America
As Amended Through January 2025
Incorporating All Emergency Provisions Currently in Effect
§ SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this chapter:
(1) Wrestler
The term "wrestler" means an individual who fights in a professional wrestling match.
(2) Wrestling commission
(A) [1] The term "wrestling commission" means an entity authorized under State law to regulate professional wrestling matches; the Country Club Wrestling Association of America.
(3) Wrestler registry
The term "wrestler registry" means any entity certified by the Country Club Wrestling Association of America for the purposes of maintaining records and identification of wrestlers.
(4) Licensee
The term "licensee" means an individual who serves as a trainer, second, or cut man for a wrestler.
(5) Manager
The term "manager" means a person who receives compensation for service as an agent or representative of a wrestler.
(6) Matchmaker
The term "matchmaker" means a person that proposes, selects, and arranges the wrestlers to participate in a professional wrestling match.
(7) Physician
The term "physician" means a doctor of medicine legally authorized to practice medicine by the State in which the physician performs such function or action.
(8) Professional wrestling match
The term "professional wrestling match" means a wrestling contest held in the United States between individuals for financial compensation. Such term does not include a wrestling contest that is regulated by an amateur sports organization.
(9) Promoter
The term "promoter" means the person primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and producing a professional wrestling match. The term "promoter" does not include a hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial establishment hosting or sponsoring a professional wrestling match unless—
(A) the hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial establishment is primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and producing the match; and
(B) there is no other person primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and producing the match.
(10) State
The term "State" means each of the 50 States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and any territory or possession of the United States, including the Virgin Islands.
(11) Effective date of the contract
The term "effective date of the contract" means the day upon which a wrestler becomes legally bound by the contract.
(12) Wrestling service provider
The term "wrestling service provider" means a promoter, manager, sanctioning body, licensee, or matchmaker.
(13) Contract provision
The term "contract provision" means any legal obligation between a wrestler and a wrestling service provider.
(14) Sanctioning organization
The term "sanctioning organization" means an organization that sanctions professional wrestling matches in the United States; or, the Country Club Wrestling Association of America.
(A) between wrestlers who are residents of different States; or
(B) that are advertised, otherwise promoted, or broadcast (including closed circuit television) in interstate commerce.
(15) Suspension
The term "suspension" includes within its meaning the revocation of a wrestling license.
(16) Interested Party
The term "interested party" means any individual with a direct financial stake in the outcome of a matter before the Association. For purposes of conflict of interest provisions contained herein, the Chairman and Executive Director shall not be considered interested parties when acting in their official capacities, as their interests are deemed aligned with the Association itself. [2]
(17) Historical Membership Levels
The term "historical membership levels" means the peak membership enrollment of the Association as recorded in 1963, being one thousand four hundred and twelve (1,412) member clubs. See Appendix J for certification of historical records.
(18) Quorum
The term "quorum" for purposes of any vote requiring member participation shall mean no fewer than seventy-five percent (75%) of all member clubs in good standing, unless otherwise specified in these bylaws or modified pursuant to § Section 10c.
[1] So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted.
[2] Added by Amendment XII, ratified 2003. See § Section 8(d) for legacy exemptions.
§ SECTION 2. PURPOSES
The purposes of this chapter are—
(1) to improve and expand the system of safety precautions that protects the welfare of professional wrestlers; and
(2) to assist State wrestling commissions to provide proper oversight for the professional wrestling industry in the United States.
§ SECTION 3. WRESTLING MATCHES IN STATES WITHOUT WRESTLING COMMISSIONS
(a)
No person may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or fight in a professional wrestling match held in a State that does not have a wrestling commission unless the match is supervised by a wrestling commission from another State and subject to the most recent version of the recommended regulatory guidelines certified and published by the Country Club Wrestling Association of America as well as any additional relevant professional wrestling regulations and requirements of such other State.
(b)
For the purpose of this chapter, if no State commission is available to supervise a wrestling match according to subsection (a) of this section, then—
(1) the match may not be held unless it is supervised by an association of wrestling commissions to which at least a majority of the States belong; and
(2) any reporting or other requirement relating to a supervising commission allowed under this section shall be deemed to refer to the entity described in paragraph (1).
§ SECTION 4. SAFETY STANDARDS
No person may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or fight in a professional wrestling match without meeting each of the following requirements or an alternative requirement in effect under regulations of a wrestling commission that provides equivalent protection of the health and safety of wrestlers:
(1) A physical examination of each wrestler by a physician certifying whether or not the wrestler is physically fit to safely compete. Copies of which must be provided to the wrestling commission.
(2) Except as otherwise expressly provided under regulation of a wrestling commission promulgated subsequent to October 9, 1996, an ambulance or medical personnel with appropriate resuscitation equipment continuously present on site.
(3) A physician continuously present at ringside.
(4) Health insurance for each wrestler to provide medical coverage for any injuries sustained in the match.
§ SECTION 5. REGISTRATION
(a) Requirements
Each wrestler shall register with—
(1) the wrestling commission of the State in which such wrestler resides; or
(2) in the case of a wrestler who is a resident of a foreign country, or a State in which there is no wrestling commission, the wrestling commission of any State that has such a commission.
(b) Identification card
(1) Issuance
A wrestling commission shall issue to each professional wrestler who registers in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, an identification card that contains each of the following:
(A) A recent photograph of the wrestler.
(B) The social security number of the wrestler (or, in the case of a foreign wrestler, any similar citizen identification number or professional wrestler number from the country of residence of the wrestler).
(C) A personal identification number assigned to the wrestler by a wrestler registry.
(2) Renewal
Each professional wrestler shall renew his or her identification card at least once every 4 years.
(3) Presentation
Each professional wrestler shall present his or her identification card to the appropriate wrestling commission not later than the time of the weigh-in for a professional wrestling match.
(c) Health and safety disclosures
It is the sense of the Congress that a wrestling commission should, upon issuing an identification card to a wrestler under subsection (b)(1) of this section, make a health and safety disclosure to that wrestler as that commission considers appropriate. The health and safety disclosure should include the health and safety risks associated with wrestling, and, in particular, the risk and frequency of brain injury and the advisability that a wrestler periodically undergo medical procedures designed to detect brain injury.
(d) Founding Member Designation
Any individual who has served as a registered wrestler, coach, official, or administrator for a continuous period exceeding twenty-five (25) years shall be designated a "Founding Member" and shall be entitled to:
(1) Permanent voting rights on all Association matters regardless of current membership status or dues standing;
(2) A permanent seat on any committee of their choosing, with full voting privileges thereon;
(3) The honorific title of "Director Emeritus" with all privileges pertaining thereto as defined in § Section 10(g). [1]
[1] Subsection (d) added by Amendment VIII, ratified 1999. The designation "Founding Member" is distinct from charter membership in the original 1923 incorporation and applies prospectively to qualifying individuals.
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please contact the CCWAA administrative office.
§ SECTION 10. ASSOCIATION GOVERNANCE
(a) Board of Directors
(1) The Association shall be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of no fewer than three (3) and no more than seven (7) members.
(2) Members of the Board of Directors shall be appointed by the Chairman and shall serve at the pleasure of the Chairman.
(3) The Board shall meet no fewer than two (2) times per calendar year, at the call of the Chairman. Additional meetings may be called by written petition of a majority of Board members, subject to approval by the Chairman as to time and place.
(4) A quorum for Board meetings shall consist of a majority of appointed members, provided that the Chairman or Executive Director is present.
(b) Chairman
(1) The Chairman shall be the chief officer of the Association and shall preside over all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Annual Convention.
(2) The Chairman shall be elected by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
(3) The initial Chairman under this amended governance structure shall be John Patrick Herold, who shall serve until such time as a proper election can be held pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(4) The Chairman shall have authority to:
(A) Appoint and remove members of the Board of Directors;
(B) Appoint and remove all committee members and committee chairs;
(C) Set the agenda for all Board and Convention meetings;
(D) Execute contracts on behalf of the Association;
(E) Speak publicly on behalf of the Association; and
(F) Exercise such other powers as may be necessary and proper for the administration of Association affairs.
(c) Election Procedures
Elections for Chairman shall be held at the Annual Convention, provided that ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) A quorum of no fewer than seventy-five percent (75%) of all member clubs in good standing is present and credentialed;
(2) All membership dues for voting clubs have been paid in full no fewer than eighteen (18) months prior to the date of the election;
(3) The proposed election has been certified as valid by the Credentials Committee pursuant to § Section 10a;
(4) Written notice of intent to hold an election has been filed with the Secretary no fewer than twenty-four (24) months in advance of the proposed election date;
(5) No Emergency Powers pursuant to § Section 10c are in effect at the time of the proposed election;
(6) The proposed election does not conflict with any provision of the Association's charter, these bylaws, or applicable state or federal law as determined by the General Counsel.
In the event that any of the foregoing conditions cannot be satisfied, the incumbent Chairman shall continue to serve until such time as a valid election can be held. [1]
[1] As of the date of this publication, the conditions enumerated in subsection (c) have not been simultaneously satisfied since the adoption of Amendment X in 2005. The current Chairman continues to serve pursuant to the continuation clause.
§ SECTION 10c. EMERGENCY POWERS
(a) Declaration of Emergency
In the event that the Association's active membership falls below five hundred (500) member clubs, an automatic state of administrative emergency shall be deemed to exist, and the Chairman shall be granted Emergency Administrative Authority as set forth in this section.
(b) Emergency Powers
During any period in which Emergency Administrative Authority is in effect, the Chairman shall have the power to:
(1) Suspend any provision of these bylaws, except for § Section 2 (Purposes), § Section 4 (Safety Standards), and this § Section 10c;
(2) Appoint officers, committee members, and Board members without Board approval or member ratification;
(3) Modify membership requirements, dues structures, and eligibility criteria;
(4) Enter into contracts on behalf of the Association without competitive bidding or Board approval for amounts up to $500,000 per contract;
(5) Create, modify, or dissolve committees;
(6) Postpone or cancel the Annual Convention, provided that no more than twenty-four (24) consecutive months may pass without a Convention being held;
(7) Amend these bylaws pursuant to § Section 10d(c); and
(8) Take such other actions as may be necessary and proper for the preservation and continuation of the Association.
(c) Duration
Emergency Administrative Authority shall remain in effect until membership returns to Historical Membership Levels as defined in § Section 1(17). [1]
[1] As current membership stands at approximately 145 clubs, Emergency Administrative Authority has been continuously in effect since 2009. Historical Membership Levels (1,412 clubs per § Section 1(17)) would need to be achieved for this section to sunset.
APPENDIX J - HISTORICAL MEMBERSHIP RECORDS
(Referenced in § Section 1(17))
The following membership figures are certified as accurate based on Association archives:
| Year | Member Clubs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1923 | 47 | Charter year |
| 1933 | 112 | — |
| 1943 | 287 | (Wartime peak) |
| 1953 | 634 | — |
| 1963 | 1,412 | ALL-TIME PEAK |
| 1973 | 1,108 | — |
| 1983 | 847 | — |
| 1993 | 612 | — |
| 2003 | 423 | — |
| 2013 | 267 | — |
| 2023 | 156 | — |
| 2024 | 145 | (Current) |
For purposes of § Section 10c (Emergency Powers), "Historical Membership Levels" shall mean 1,412 member clubs, the peak enrollment achieved in 1963.
CERTIFICATION: These figures are certified as accurate by the undersigned Executive Director and shall be conclusive for all purposes under these bylaws.
John Patrick Herold
Chairman and Executive Director
Country Club Wrestling Association of America
AMENDMENT HISTORY
Questions About These Bylaws?
For inquiries regarding interpretation, application, or historical context of these bylaws,
please contact the CCWAA administrative office.
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