8 Wrestling Offences You Didn't Know Could Be A Disqualification

5. Throwing An Opponent Over The Top Rope

This odd rule was only ever enforced by one organization -- the National Wrestling Alliance, or NWA. However, due to the NWA€™s status as a governing body which oversaw countless territories in its heyday, the regulation was widespread. Technically speaking, any NWA-affiliated promotion had to follow this rule. In fact, throwing an opponent over the top rope is still illegal in NWA promotions to this day. Supposedly, the purpose of this strange rule was as an attempt to keep the wrestling action inside the squared circle. However, by the 1980s, the rule was being used as a kayfabe storyline device. Dubbed the €œDusty Finish€, NWA Championship matches would often see a referee get knocked down. Subsequently, the big babyface would toss the dastardly heel champion over the ropes and to the floor. In the end, the tried and true good guy would get the pin and become the new champion. That was until another NWA official would come to the ring and inform the original ref -- who had not seen it -- of the rule violation. The outcome of the match would be overturned, and the champion would retain the title. It was a clever way for the NWA€™s often heel champions to retain their gold while still making the babyface look like a formidable opponent. However, Dusty Rhodes -- who came up with the booking strategy, hence it€™s name -- used this finish as a plot device far too often, cheapening its effect. World Championship Wrestling would do away with the regulation after withdrawing from the NWA in the early 1990s. However, as previously stated, the rule has stuck around to today in some smaller NWA-affiliated promotions.