Motion to Review Safety Protocols for 'All In' Championship Matches
WHEREAS the "All In" match format—"When grudges run deep and you won't be outwitted"—represents the most intense form of CCWAA competition, reserved for championship finals and formal dispute resolution;
WHEREAS the inherent intensity of All In matches has historically resulted in elevated injury rates, including the tragic 1982 incident involving Executive Director RICKY Star (steel chair; career-ending; we do not discuss the details);
WHEREAS modern sports medicine and safety standards have evolved significantly since the original All In protocols were established in 1967;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Competition Safety Committee shall conduct a comprehensive review of All In match protocols, including:
- Updated equipment standards (padding thickness, ring construction, corner post materials)
- Mandatory pre-match medical clearance (physician certification within 72 hours)
- Ringside medical personnel requirements (minimum: 1 physician, 1 EMT, 1 person who "knows CPR pretty well")
- Steel chair policy review (current status: banned since 1983; this motion does not seek to change this)
- Referee training updates (focus: when to stop a match for competitor safety)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this review shall be completed no later than 90 days following the upcoming championship, with recommendations presented at the Summer Convention.
THE BOARD NOTES that this motion does not seek to diminish the competitive intensity of All In matches, but rather to ensure our champions can continue competing for years to come.
"We persevere. But let's persevere with better padding."
— RICKY Star, in support of this motion
Submitted by: The Competition Safety Committee
Medical consultation provided by: Dr. Barbara Martinez, Sports Medicine Specialist
💬 Discussion (4)
I appreciate the safety focus, but I'm concerned about the 72-hour medical clearance requirement. Some of us have very demanding schedules—board meetings, charity galas, yacht maintenance—and adding another appointment seems burdensome. Can we make it 96 hours? Or perhaps allow telemedicine consultations?
I'm a 6-time regional champion and I support this motion, but I want it on the record that I didn't need any fancy 'safety protocols' when I competed. We wrestled on concrete! Uphill! Both ways! That said, my knees haven't worked properly since 2004 and I'd like the next generation to have functioning joints. Fine. I'll vote yes.
As a physician who has treated CCWAA competitors for 15 years, I strongly support this motion. The current protocols were written when 'sports medicine' meant 'ice it and walk it off.' We can maintain the competitive spirit of All In matches while implementing modern safety standards. Also, the 'person who knows CPR pretty well' clause should probably be upgraded to actual certification, just saying.
Look, I don't talk about 1982 much. 'The Night the Music Stopped,' they called it. Steel chair to the head. Career over at 36. Numbers still look like tiny dancing bears sometimes when I'm tired. But I'm still here, baby. Still standing. Still running this beautiful, ridiculous organization. Support this motion—not for me, but for the next generation. Let's make sure they can keep wrestling AND keep their ability to do basic arithmetic. ✨
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