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THE RULES GOVER�I�G PROFESSIO�AL WRESTLI�G

The official rules governing professional wrestling in the British Isles, as drawn up in 1946

under the chairmanship of Lord Mountevans, are as follows:

As published in "The Wrestler" September 1970

The standard holds:

The standard holds, throws and modes of defence and attack permitted and recognised for the

purpose of international competition in the British Isles are: Any combination of grips with one

or both hands, and/or one or both legs; taken for the purpose of throwing an opponent, for the

purpose of gaining a pin or submission fall. The use of the forearm for offensive and defensive

purposes, the use of the sole or side of the feet, the shoulder charge and the leg dive shall be

permitted.

The principal holds recognised by name are:

• The standing and ground half Nelsons, quarter Nelsons, three quarter Nelsons and full

Nelsons.

• The standing or the ground, front, side or reverse head chancery.

• The waist holds.

• The standing or ground arm up at the back, arm up at the back with elbow press, arm up at

the back with bar.

• The standing or ground wrist lever, wrist bend, arm lever or double arm lever.

• The crotch hold.

• The single or double leg holds, back heel, leg stroke, knee stroke, single or double leg hank.

• The wrestler's bridge.

• The scissors.

• The flying mare, ground or standing arm roll or double arm rolls.

• The buttock, cross buttock, locked arm buttock, crossed arm buttock, locked arm back drop.

DEFINITION OF A FALL

A fall is deemed to have been obtained when a wrestler's shoulders have been pinned to the mat

for a count of three to the satisfaction of the referee. A fall may also be given by an opponent

submitting from a hold out of which he is unable to escape. A fall shall terminate any round in

which it occurs.

DECISIONS BY REFEREE

A match is decided in favour of a wrestler who obtains two out of three falls, or the only fall of

the match or whose opponent fails to beat the referee's count of ten when thrown to the canvas,

or whose opponent is ruled by the referee to be in an unfit condition to continue the match, or

whose opponent is disqualified by the referee.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REFEREE

The referee shall have sole and entire charge of the contest and of the wrestlers while they are in

the ring and his decisions shall at all times be final.

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Wrestling Holds

Permitted under the rules of Admiral Lord Mount-Evans

The following text and pictures are taken from a book entitled Wrestling - The Admiral Lord

Mount-Evans Style. This book was published by Wrestling News and Views Ltd., Halifax, and

printed by Fawcett Greenwood & Co. Ltd., Halifax. The date of publication is not stated.

The Rules of the Admiral Lord Mount-Evans Style of Wrestling, with demonstrated holds and

explanatory text. Also the rules of contest, illegal holds, championship weights and other

information for those wishing to understand this style.

&nbspThe Admiral Lord Mount-Evans Rules have been adopted by the British Wrestling

Promoters' Association for all Championship contests. This Association controls at least 95 per

cent of all wrestling in Great Britain, and it is intended to establish national champions at all

weights in this style.

In 1946 the state of wrestling in Britain was given careful study by a committee including

Admiral Lord Mount-Evans, K.C.B., D.S.O., LL.D.; Commander Campbell of B.B.C fame;

Norman Morrell, Olympic Games Wrestler; Maurice Webb, M.P; sitting in committee at the

Houses of Parliament, and the rules of professional wrestling were drawn up to be known

hereafter as "The Admiral Lord Mount-Evans Style."

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THE BASIC HOLDS

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Waist hold (countered by face claw)

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Waist hold (countered by ankle grab)

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Reverse waist hold followed by overhead snatch (by Sandy Orford of Wales)

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Another figure four leg hold

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I�TER�ATIO�AL CLASSWEIGHTS

As published in "The Who's Who of Wrestling"

LIGHTWEIGHT

• 70 kg

• 154 lbs

• 11 stones

WELTERWEIGHT

• 75 kg

• 165 lbs

• 11 stones 11 lbs

MIDDLEWEIGHT

• 80 kg

• 176 lbs

• 12 stones 8 lbs

HEAVY-MIDDLEWEIGHT

• 85 kg

• 187 lbs

• 13 stones 5 lbs

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT

• 90 kg

• 198 lbs

• 14 stones 2 lbs

MID-HEAVYWEIGHT

• 95 kg

• 209 lbs

• 14 stones 13 lbs

HEAVYWEIGHT

• No weight limit in this class