Missouri Kills Professional Wrestling

[Guest JebusNassedar]

(2/10/05) - (American Pro-Wrestling) A good friend to the radio show, former wrestler Matt Murphy, reports that the Missouri State Athletic Comission has recently passed legislation, House Bill 600 in their state. In short, it requires pro-wrestlers to have paid state income taxes, and also are required to file state tax income returns for the last three years.

 

In short, guess who this hurts? Professional wrestling. Check out Missouri's HB 600 suspended list and look at some of the names who can't work in the state. Kurt Angle, Dave Batista, Shelton Benjamin, Carlos Colon Jr., David Cash (Nashville - TNA?), Adam Copeland (Edge), Lance Storm (Lance Evers), Ric Flair, Jackie Gayda, Charlie Haas, Ron & Don Harris (TNA), Jon Heidenreich (insert your own punchline), Paul Heyman, Shawn Michaels (Michael Hickenbottom), Booker T, Chris Irvine (Chris Jericho), Ron "The Truth" Killings, Johnny Ace, Brian Christopher & Jerry Lawler, Rena Mero, Jay Reso (Christian), Tommy "Wildfire" Rich, Charles "Little Naitch" Robinson, Ron Simmons, Tracy Smothers, Jimmy Valiant, and Torrie Wilson.

 

This is going to become a big problem for WWE shortly.

 

Source - PuroresuPower

 

Bill: http://pr.mo.gov/hb600.asp

List: http://pr.mo.gov/boards/athletics/HB600SuspensionList.pdf

[LessonInMachismo 0]

Niiiiiiice...even MORE big government control. Aside from hurting WWE, it will be hurting independent promotions, such as Harley Race's WLW. Perhaps moreso.

[Slingshot Suplex 0]

They raised the fees to run a show in the state a couple years ago which drove a couple small promotions in the bootheel area over to west Tennessee and northeast Arkansas.

 

Now this.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

How did Triple H avoid getting on that list? Jimmy Valient made it though...god bless his 90 year old ass.

[Myxamatosis 0]

St. Louis is one the WWE's hotbeds, always a hot crowd.

 

This is unreal to me.

 

And how did Little Natch make the damn list?

[LessonInMachismo 0]

WWE picks Oregon back up only to lose Missouri.

[Guest LooneyTune]

Better question: How did Rena Mero (she still has Marc Meros name?) make the list? She doesn't even work period unless WWE comes-a-calling again (which will likely be never). But, in wrestling, never say never. (goes into the song from American Tail)

[Jingus 0]

Hell, how did ANYONE make a "banned from pro wrestling" list in this day & age?

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Also: Rey Misterio (Oscar Gutierrez), Arn Anderson (Martin Lunde), Victoria (Moreno), Shannon Moore, Fit Finlay, Kidman (Pete Grunner).

[Slickster 0]

Well, hopefully this will be repealed soon.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

Maybe WWE can stay out of Missouri for ten years, then, on their first event back, kill wrestling in the state again with a Dusty Finish in the main event. Oh, wait, they did that already.

[Slickster 0]

LOL

 

I'm sure Harley Race, etc. will push for this to be overturned, especially in a state with such wrestling history (the Missouri State Title was the steppingstone to the NWA Title for many years).

[Guest TroughOfMantaur]

Great, so this kills any more shows at Kemper Arena, the only place within driving range that holds RAWs, Smackdowns, and PPVs.

[Celtic Guardian 0]

Also: Rey Misterio (Oscar Gutierrez), Arn Anderson (Martin Lunde), Victoria (Moreno), Shannon Moore, Fit Finlay, Kidman (Pete Grunner).

The WWE Victoria's real name is Lisa Marie Varon, so she's not suspended. The suspended Victoria is an indy wrestler.

[Jingus 0]

Once again: why the fuck are all those people suspended from wrestling in that state? I didn't know you could really do that, I thought it was just ECW's old gimmick for Sabu.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Also: Rey Misterio (Oscar Gutierrez), Arn Anderson (Martin Lunde), Victoria (Moreno), Shannon Moore, Fit Finlay, Kidman (Pete Grunner).

The WWE Victoria's real name is Lisa Marie Varon, so she's not suspended. The suspended Victoria is an indy wrestler.

Crap, I knew that, too.

[LessonInMachismo 0]

<<Great, so this kills any more shows at Kemper Arena, the only place within driving range that holds RAWs, Smackdowns, and PPVs.>>

 

Isn't everything within driving range as long as it's on the continent?

 

Yeah, I have been to Kemper a few times, but I have decided to never see wrestling live again.

[Just John 0]

Well this absolutely sucks. I live in the KC area now, so I could go to a show in Kansas, but next year when I move to Columbia, I guess can expect to not get to any shows.

[Matt Young 0]

St. Louis was the closest place (excluding the rare Peoria, IL, show) to my hometown of Springfield, Illinois, that had TV tapings. Good thing I live in California now.

 

This really sucks for my guys in New Midwest Wrestling, however. They often traveled to work for various promotions in East Missouri, such as MPW. Also, considering St. Louis is one of the greatest wrestling cities of all time, this is some major bullshit.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

From the latest WO.com update:

 

--The story going around that most of the WWE crew is now suspended in Missouri regarding paying state income tax is correct, but it's in the big picture, a minor deal, that is considered more red tape than anything. WWE is aware of it, is in the process of cutting through the red tape, and this has no effect on running future events in the state or talent appearing on the shows

 

Nothing to worry about it seems, with PP's claims of it soon to be a "big problem" looking groundless.

[Guest Just Looking]

If it does turn out to be a bigger problem than anticipated, they could do a HHH vs. Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero ironman match. I know they won't, but how cool would that be?

[Ravenbomb 0]

FUCK! FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!!!!!!

I never go to the big wrestling stuff live, too crowded. But still. FUCK!!!!!

[The Dames 0]

Actually guys, I'm an insurance agent now as you know. The state of Missouri claimed that I didn't pay my resident income tax for 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2003 even though I've never lived, worked or been there before. I wasn't the only agent who received this notice and shortly after had their license suspended. It's a red tape deal and we're dealing with it and it's a very simple process.

 

It sounds like the same problem with their licenses, so this really isn't anything to worry about. It's an error of the state of Missouri's part.

 

Dames

[Art Sandusky 0]

Maybe WWE can stay out of Missouri for ten years, then, on their first event back, kill wrestling in the state again with a Dusty Finish in the main event. Oh, wait, they did that already.

When was this? Are you talking about a Raw or Smackdown show, or a PPV? Last PPV that I can remember readily that was in St. Louis was No Mercy 2001. S'far as I know, WWE never stayed away from the place, especially not for ten years.

[Precious Roy 0]

Maybe WWE can stay out of Missouri for ten years, then, on their first event back, kill wrestling in the state again with a Dusty Finish in the main event. Oh, wait, they did that already.

When was this? Are you talking about a Raw or Smackdown show, or a PPV? Last PPV that I can remember readily that was in St. Louis was No Mercy 2001. S'far as I know, WWE never stayed away from the place, especially not for ten years.

I think he's talking about their first show back in Oregon

[Art Sandusky 0]

Oh, well then. Nevermind.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

Maybe WWE can stay out of Missouri for ten years, then, on their first event back, kill wrestling in the state again with a Dusty Finish in the main event. Oh, wait, they did that already.

When was this? Are you talking about a Raw or Smackdown show, or a PPV? Last PPV that I can remember readily that was in St. Louis was No Mercy 2001. S'far as I know, WWE never stayed away from the place, especially not for ten years.

I think he's talking about their first show back in Oregon

I am indeed. In their first event back in Oregon in 10 years, they headlined with Hunter v Nash, a main event that, at several house shows, fans walked out on before it even began. So, in their first event in Oregon for 10 years, what do they do ? Run a Dusty Finish in the main event, and do a false World Title change. That kind of thing is bad enough as it is, but to do it in your first event in a major market for over a decade is insane.