Anybody remember the closed fist rule of Pro-Wrestling ?

Question

Anybody remember the closed fist rule about wrestling ?

When a wrestler was disqualified if he used a closed fist againts his opponent . I remember times when this rule was used in WWE , NWA/wcw & other indy promotions aswell.


Im thinking the rule was made so it could explain the logic on why opponents hardly bled during matches after hitting each other in the face with punches. Explaining that the punches were open fist !!


Anybody else remember this ? Do you all know if that CLOSED FIST rule is still active ?

If so when was the last time you remember that rule used during a match?

But even in the wrestling world and even to kayfabe standards! How do you explain the logic in using a Closed fist in a pro-wrestling match where the Piledriver is legal and hardcore matches are allowed? Where is the logic in that ? Even Hollwywood has more logic !

Answer 1

that rule is still active in all regular matches.... if one wrestler uses the close fist more than 5 seconds (referee's 5 count) he is disqualified....

in no disqualification matches (hardcore, last man standing, TLC, hell in a cell, stell cage and others....), that rule is inactive...

hope that helped you....


EDIT: BTW, the closed fist cant really make someone bleed from the head unless that person has an old wound on the forehead and therefore, being hit in that area of the skull many times by a close fist could result in reopening the wound...

Answer 2

Your explanation about not bleeding is good, and I think another reason why fists were supposed to be illegal was to differentiate between wrestling and a fight in the alley. An alley fight is two angry guys trying to hurt each other; a wrestling match is a competition between two guys and they're supposed to "fight" fairly, no fists, poking eyes, etc.

I think the "closed fist" rule has been...forgotten. The fans chant "boring!" if two guys just wrestle. Kicking and punching is not only accepted now, it's expected. A lot of big names would be out of a job if they couldn't punch and had to actually wrestle.

The last time I remember seeing the rule actually enforced was a few years ago (and I don't remember who the wrestlers were). It was a "gimmick" match where it was announced that punching and kicking would get a wrestler immediately disqualified. The build-up to the match was about two guys who both claimed they could beat the other one without having to do anything illegal, such as use a "closed fist". The match went on, eventually one of them punched the other one and was DQed.

You hear JBL complain about the use of "closed fists" but that's just because JBL whines any time the bad guy is losing. If the other announcer points out that the bad guy is using fists, too, JBL denies it. Stupid.

One User mentioned Ronnie Garvin. "Hands Of Stone" Ronnie Garvin used a knockout punch as his finisher. Before him there were guys, most notably Ox Baker, who used the "Heart Punch" (a closed fist punch to the chest) as a finisher. In the old days you'd see the bad guy get the good guy in a headlock, turn away from the referee, then deliver several short punches to the head when the ref couldn't see it. Those days are over -- every wrestler uses a "closed fist" now.

Answer 3

It's still very active in WWE, not so much in TNA, mostly because there aren't many strikers in TNA outside of Senshi, who basically kicks. I've even seen occasions in WWE in special ref matches, or simply in regular matches to build someone up as dangerous, where people have been DQ'd for closed fists.

I think the major reason for the rule is simply wrestler safety. I think it's logical to have the rule, and then have a street fight, because it's stipulation based. It's like saying, "there's no kicking in boxing, unless it's kick boxing." I know it's a lame analogy or comparrison, but that's the way I view it.

The illegality of closed fist also helps make a brutal stiff punch , or a "hard way" look better when it happens, and it also adds a new dimension of professonalism and sportsmanship to wrestling, and proof that some intense battles require the rule book being thrown out the window to settle major quarrels. That's my take on it, but this is a very interesting and original question

Answer 4

It iss still used, but not enforced, it is usally reference during a match to make it look like the opponent is getting a beatdown

Answer 5

Great question and great answers-asker gets a star and all answerers get a thumbs up. Now this is what the "Wrestling Section" should be about. Great job on both parts.

Answer 6

I always wonder why Ronnie Garvin was never disqualified.

Answer 7

they still give warnings but I have never seen them stop a match because of it