10 Best Exceptions To WWE Rules

6. Choking Is Illegal

Samoa Joe Coquina Clutch
WWE

This one is a bit different.

If Samoa Joe put Seth Rollins (for example) in the nearest corner, wrapped his hands around his throat and began choking him like he was playing Royal Rumble on the Mega Drive/Genesis, then referees would give him a good telling off. However, when he has them on the mat locked in his Coquina Clutch finish, it's perfectly fine.

That submission is pretty much a choke hold, and yet no official berates Joe for using it. They're too busy watching for an MMA-inspired tap out or for the victim to feign a loss of consciousness so they can motion for the bell. This is blatant UFC influence on pro wrestling, which is fine.

It is a bit strange that refs effectively let somebody win by using something that's outlawed in the rules however. At least the Coquina Clutch, complete with Joe's menacing snarl and the pained struggles of his prey, make the lack of logic tolerable.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.