Rules and regulations

Highlights of the (more recent) Tijuana Box Y Lucha Y Kickboxing regulations (click on the second link); this is a updated (2002, I think) to the one I went thru previously (1985; there’s a few 1976 ones floating around too). There’s some great obvious stuff here, like it’s a 3 count for a pin, and I don’t believe some of the stuff is actually followed except when forced, but I find it cool to figure out what’s in the rule book I don’t expect.

* Allowed Match Types
a) mano y mano (for masks, hair, using super libre, for trophies or titles)
b) 2 on 2
c) 3 on 3
d) 4 on 4
e) Strap matches
f) Triangle Trios matches
g) Triangle Pair matches
h) Triangle Singles matches
i) Relovos Suicidas
j) Battlas campales – ciberneticos (no more than 10 wrestlers, no more than 16)
k) Russian Roluette/Tournaments of Death (no less than 8, no more than 12!)
l) “Relevos Tijuanenses” (which turns out to be four team matches, with two wrestlers in at a time)

All atomicos matches are supposed to have either the captain beat or the three non-captains (most of these seem to end at two), and should be one fall. Triangle matches are supposed to have coin tosses to determine the one on one matches, not 3 in at the same time.

The promotion must have an EXPERT haircutter on the premises if they’re doing that stip, and there’s fine/suspensions if you don’t do it. People who lose thier masks are obligated to show their face to the public while still in the ring, or they and the promotion (if they don’t force them to) are subject to the same punishment.

If you lose your mask, you can not put on another one for two years, and only if you’re active during that time. (But you CAN put on another one.) If you change names, the promotion is supposed to list your old name under your new name on the programs to inform the fans.

All wrestlers not only have to pass a medical test, but a Wrestler Competency Test, including testing in “olympic style” wrestling and generally proficiency. This test can be conducted by a trainer, but they’ve got to be licensed as such. If you’re a minor, you’ve got to have written permission from your parents.

The Commission has yearly awards
– the “Rey Misterio” award medal to the best wrestler
– unnamed award for the best promotion
The commission has the right to film any show, for evaluation people for this awards, as long as they’re not selling it.

Foreign wrestlers are allowed, as long as they check in with the commission to prove they’re in the country legally and they’ve already got work.

Promotions are obligated to pay the medical costs of anyone injured in their rings.

If someone doesn’t show up for an event, the promotion is required to replace them with an equal or greater wrestler, and fans are entitled to a refund.

Wrestlers are subject to a one year suspension if they verbally attack an opponent, the fans or the commission on the microphone; I’m guessing this would be a very high level of attack.

Out of the ring countout is 20, but in the ring countout is 10. You’ve got 3 seconds on moves in the ropes, not 5. It’s a low blow to strike in the “nape of the neck” as well as the obvious. All forms of the Martinete are illegal (hey Universo.) So is a closed fist.

There are no draws allowed in mask matches, hair matches, matches for trophies, and matches for vacant titles.

Minis are not allowed to face normal sized wrestlers.

Elsewhere, I found 2001 regulations which included weight limits

Fly 52kg
“Gallo” 57 kg
“Pluma” 63 kg
Light 70 kg
Welter 77 kg
Super Welter 82 kg
Middle 87 kg
Super Middle 92 kg
Light Heavy 97 kg
Junior Heavy 105 kg
Heavyweight over 105 kg

Title match opponents are not to have more than 10 KG weight difference, weights are checked 4 hours before the show, and the promotion is in charge of making sure the scale works. State champions are required to defend every 45 days.

Every one of these I read says the commission is supposed to tell inform government reporter who’s champ of each division each month (and the one above also says an outstanding wrestler in the division should be noted), but I’ve never seen any record of that. That’d be a great find.