TITLE 15 GAMBLING AND LIQUOR CONTROL

CHAPTER 6 BOXING, WRESTLING AND MARTIAL ARTS

PART 11 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WRESTLING

15.6.11.1 ISSUING AGENCY: New Mexico Athletic Commission.

[15.6.11.1 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.2 SCOPE: The provisions in Part 11 apply particularly to all persons and parties licensed by the commission to participate in any manner in wrestling exhibitions.

[15.6.11.2 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Part 11 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 is promulgated pursuant to the Professional Athletic Competition Act, Sections 60-2A-1 through 60-2A-30, NMSA 1978 (1980 Repl. Pamp.).

[15.6.11.3 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.4 DURATION: Permanent.

[15.6.11.4 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: March 23, 2002, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[15.6.11.5 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.6 OBJECTIVE: The objective of Part 11 of Chapter 6 is to set forth all commission regulations regarding wrestling exhibitions.

[15.6.11.6 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.7 DEFINITIONS: “Fall” refers to scoring against a wrestler when, for a count of three, both of the wrestler’ shoulders touch the floor at the same time; or when the wrestler is held down by a submission hold.

[15.6.11.7 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.8 WRESTLING PROGRAMS ARE NOT CONTESTS: All professional wrestling programs under the supervision and authority of the commission are exhibitions, not contests.

[15.6.11.8 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.9 [RESERVED]

[15.6.11.9 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.10 COMMISSION RULES APPLY EXCLUSIVELY: All wrestlers are required to wrestle under the rules of the commission.

[15.6.11.10 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.11 ADVERTISING FOR WRESTLING EXHIBITIONS:

A. Exhibitions: All wrestling programs shall be advertised or announced as wrestling exhibitions.

B. Commission approval required for exceptions: Any wrestling promoter who advertises, or causes to be advertised, any professional wrestling exhibition as a wrestling match or championship match, may only do so with the express approval of the commission.

C. Preservation of advertising copy: Wrestling promoters shall provide the commission with copies of all advertising issued in connection with the wrestling exhibition.

[15.6.11.11 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.12 [RESERVED]

[15.6.11.12 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.13 LICENSE BY COMMISSION REQUIRED:

A. Licensees: All promoters, managers, professional wrestlers, referees, announcers, and anyone who enters the ring, shall be licensed by the commission in order to participate in any wrestling exhibition in New Mexico.

B. Booking agencies: Any person or party operating a booking agency for wrestlers must be licensed as a matchmaker by the commission. In any such agency is a corporation, an officer of said corporation must be licensed by the commission.

[15.6.11.13 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.14 REQUIRED OFFICIALS AT WRESTLING EXHIBITIONS: The following officials shall be in attendance at each wrestling exhibition.

A. Referee.

B. Event coordinator.

C. Announcer.

D. Physician.

[15.6.11.14 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 8/26/2012]

15.6.11.15 [RESERVED]

[15.6.11.15 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.16 MANAGERS AND PROMOTERS: [RESERVED]

[15.6.11.16 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; Repealed, 1/30/2024]

15.6.11.17 MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF A WRESTLER:

A. Conducted by physician designate: Before any wrestler may enter the ring, a physician designated by the commission shall examine all wrestlers, referees, and any other licensed person entering the ring and engaging in a professional exhibition.

B. Medical examination schedule: All wrestlers, referees, and any other person who will enter the ring, must present themselves for such examination within one calendar day prior to the commencement of the exhibition.

C. Disclosure required: No wrestler shall conceal any known illness or disability from the examining physician.

D. Drug testing of wrestlers: The commission has the right to drug test any wrestler at any given time.

(1) The drug test can consist of the following: cocaine, marijuana, etc.

(2) If the wrestler tests positive, his license will be withheld or suspended, and he is prohibited from wrestling in New Mexico until he appears before the commission and proves that he is drug-free.

E. Wrestler prohibited from wrestling: The examining physician shall not permit any wrestler to enter the ring who is suffering from any illness or disability that in any way interferes with or prevents the wrestler from giving a full, complete, and satisfactory exhibition of his ability and skill; or endangers his health or the health of his opponent.

[15.6.11.17 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 1/30/2024]

15.6.11.18 [RESERVED]

[15.6.11.18 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.19 EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS AT EXHIBITIONS:

A. Barricade requirements: Barricades around ringside shall be mandatory at all wresting exhibitions.

B. Wrestling mats: Mats inside the barricades around the ring should be at least one inch thick and cover any exposed ground.

[15.6.11.19 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; A, 8/26/2012]

15.6.11.20 [RESERVED]

[15.6.11.20 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.21 [RESERVED]

[15.6.11.21 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; Repealed, 1/30/2024]

15.6.11.22 [RESERVED]

[15.6.11.22 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002; Repealed, 1/30/2024]

15.6.11.23 [RESERVED]

[15.6.11.23 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

15.6.11.24 WRESTLERS’ CONDUCT TOWARD THIRD PARTIES: Wrestlers shall not molest, hit, or abuse any spectator in any manner.

[15.6.11.24 NMAC - N, 3/23/2002]

HISTORY of 15.6.11 NMAC:

Pre-NMAC History:

Material in the part was derived from that previously filed with the commission of public records - state records center and archives:

NMAC 80-11, Special Rules For Wrestling, filed 9/24/1980.

NMAC Rule 92-13, Special Rules For Wrestling, filed 8/17/1992.

History of Repealed Material:

NMAC Rule 92-13 (aka 15 NMAC 6.11), Special Requirements For Wrestling, filed 8/17/1992; repealed effective 3/23/2002.

Other History:

NMAC Rule 92-13 was recompiled into the first version of the New Mexico Administrative Code as 15 NMAC 6.11 and named Special Requirements For Wrestling.

15.6.11 NMAC, Special Requirements For Wrestling, replaced 15 NMAC 11, Special Requirements For Wrestling, effective 3/23/2002.