8 Wrestling Offences You Didn't Know Could Be A Disqualification
2. Using Banned Moves
This rule has often been used for kayfabe reasons. Jerry The King Lawlers piledriver finishing maneuver was banned for a number of years, which simply made fans want to see him use it more. Occasionally, The King would bust out the dangerous maneuver and he would be disqualified -- although, the crowd would erupt anyway. There are, however, some instances and examples of wrestling moves and holds actually being disallowed by management. Following the Chris Benoit double murder-suicide, the Crippler Crossface submission was barred from being used. When Bill Watts was running WCW in 1992, he banned any move from the top rope. WWE has a strict policy against unprotected chair shots to the head nowadays -- a rule enforced with a hefty fine. Furthermore, it seems that WWE has had a legitimate ban on the classic piledriver -- with an exception for the Tombstone variation -- as it has not been used for some years now -- save a CM Punk/John Cena match a few years back. There are countless stories about wrestlers being told that they cannot use certain moves. This is especially true with a lot of independent guys who get signed by WWE. Evan Bourne recently revealed in a shoot interview that the company did not want him performing the Shooting Star Press, as they felt it was dangerous. Bourne apparently insisted, and was told to demonstrate that he could consistently perform the move safely. It was only after repeating the spot countless times for company officials that they relented.
Douglas Scarpa is a freelance writer, independent filmmaker, art school graduate, and pro wrestling aficionado -- all of which mean he is in financial ruin. He has no backup plan to speak of, yet maintains his abnormally high spirits. If he had only listened to the scorn of his childhood teachers, he wouldn't be in this situation.
