Posted on Sep 9, 2003 By Anthony DeBlasi                     <<BACK TO NEWSBOARD

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DelawareOnline.com has reported that the Dover Delaware Counsel has banned Extreme Wrestling & "Ultra-violent" events. Here's the article: By KRISTIAN POPE / Staff reporter 09/09/2003 DOVER -- The Dover City Council passed an ordinance Monday night to ban "ultra-violent" professional wrestling shows in the city. The council voted 8-1 to pass a combative fighting ordinance, which also bans "tough man" contests, after it was amended to allow traditional pro wrestling shows to continue. "We had many e-mails saying pass it and many saying not to pass it," said Rep. Eugene Ruane (2nd District), who voted in favor of the ordinance. The measure prohibits matches in which anything but the human body or boxing gloves are used and also bans the use of any objects meant to inflict bodily injury. James Kozel, owner of Rack's Bar & Billiards in Dover, promoted three ultra-violent events this summer showcasing wrestlers from Combat Zone Wrestling, based in Sewell, N.J. The group's wrestlers use fluorescent light tubes, thumbtacks and panes of glass as props for hitting one another. The ordinance was amended to delete wording that would have prohibited all wrestling contests with predetermined results. National organizations like World Wrestling Entertainment and one other local promoter asked the council to reword the ordinance, Ruane said. Kozel, 40, had threatened to sue the city for the right to promote ultra-violent events at his bar. His attorney, Ken Young, did not return a call seeking comment. Combat Zone's ultra-violent events were banned in New Jersey in 2000. It has since held events in Delaware, free from oversight. Delaware's Division of Professional Regulation oversees tough man contests and boxing, but not pro wrestling. "This will eliminate someone from jumping through panes of glass and barbed wire," said Delaware Championship Wrestling co-promoter Steven Grossman of Dover. "[Combat Zone is] not wrestling." James Kozel, the owner of Racks Bar & Grill, which hosted CZW events in Deleware, along with CZW owner John Cosco (John Zandig) have yet to comment. Remember, this doesn't mean CZW can't hold shows in Delaware. It means that they would have to eliminate the extreme violence that occurs in some of their matches. Thanks for reading. Anthony DeBlasi 3e6r.net Webmaster