Professional wrestling put a smackdown Tuesday on a state panel's proposal to regulate the industry, prompting a 60-day delay on a decision.

The proposed regulations by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commisiion, such as having paid medical personnel on hand for all events, would apply only to small-time wrestling operations like the Clarkesville-based NWA Anarchy Wrestling. The board also wants to increase inspection of wrestlers and their organizations as well as banning any physical or verbal threats toward the audience and the use of too much grease lotion or foreign substances on a wrestler's body.

"Asinine," is what NWA Anarchy wrestler Eddie Chastain called the proposed measures.

He was among about 70 current and former wrestlers and their promoters who made their displeasure heard at the commission meeting in Atlanta.

The agency, better known as the boxing commission, already regulates the state's boxing andmixed martial arts, as well as ticket brokers. Professional wrestling also falls under the group's jurisdiction, although the Connecticut-based World Wrestling Entertainment had been exempt due to a 2005 statute that excluded groups with total assets of more than $25 million.

"I think it went positive," commission chairman J.J. Biello said after the meeting. "We were looking for feedback. We're open to looking at the rules and changing some things as long as it fairly represents the interest of the state and the fighters, or entertainers in this case. Our main concern is the health and safety of the performers."

WWE representative John Taylor also was pleased.

"It's good they listened to people who know the business," said Taylor, an Atlanta attorney. "These rules they proposed are ridiculous."

The WWE would not have been affected by the new proposals, but nevertheless let it be known earlier this week that it would pull all events out of the state if it's exemption were rescinded by the Georgia legislature.

NWA Anarchy owner Jerry Palmer was among those who argued that the new rules would put a financial chokehold on small wrestling organizations.

Furthermore, Palmer and others said, the proposed regulations would endanger wrestlers who would resort to performing in outlaw shows under no constraints.

Commissioner Phil Hunnicutt moved to table any vote until wrestling organizations are all licensed and included in talks about rule changes. That sparked a standing ovation.

Fellow commissioner Cary Ichter seconded the measure. Ichter, an Atlanta attorney who represents the father of deceased wrestler Chris Benoit, came under criticism from many of the wrestling community at the meeting. They say it is a conflict of interest for him to sit on the board while also representing the Benoit estate in a likely legal battle with the WWE.

Ichter has dismissed such claims. Biello declined comment Tuesday.

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