By Ruslan Pashayev
Wrestling in Australia. Catch-as-Catch-Can Style
Henry Irslinger introduced this ruleset to Australia from 1926-28. The significance of their inclusion in this series is that they illustrate the worldwide development of pro-wrestling in the USA, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Rounds
Rounds are of ten minutes each with a two-minutes’ interval between each
Referee
The Referee’s decision shall be final, and he shall decide all questions which arise during the bout.
Pinfalls and Submissions
The Referee’s decision is given on pin falls, that is, when one wrestler is thrown on his back with both shoulders touching the floor at the same time for a period of three seconds, which must be counted by the Referee.
A fall may also be awarded when a contestant surrenders (submission fall). which is usually signified by tapping the mat. The Referee must tap on the shoulders or on the back, the wrestler securing a round.
When a wrestler refuses to continue at the Referee’s instruction the decision may be awarded against him.
Holds
Opponents may grasp any part of each other’s. body. One arm may be pressed against an opponent’s throat, but the other arm must not touch the opponent’s head or neck. (The strangle hold is barred in Australia.)
Deliberate striking and kicking, scratching and biting are regarded as fouls. Boring and gouging are prohibited.
When a foul or a deliberate breach of the rules occurs, the Referee may award a fall against the offending wrestler.
When the wrestlers roll off the mat, beyond the boundary lines, or under the ropes, they shall be ordered to the middle of the mat. The wrestler who has the ad-vantage when the rolling out of the ring occurs, must be given the position of ag-gressor when the bout resumes, in the centre of the mat.
Changing holds or grabbing by the legs is permitted.
Seconds must not touch their man or give him advice during the progress of
The use of oil or grease on the body or head of a wrestler is not permitted.
Championships
Australian championships may be decided on points, but world’s champion-ship is only decided on falls.
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