Let’s get ready to grumble!
Wrestling fans are accusing the state of sexism after the Athletic Commission tried to flex its muscle and end a Bath Beach wrestling match on Aug. 19, falsely claiming it is illegal for a man and a woman to brawl in a sport that is more performance art than actual pugilism. But the state rule book says no such thing — in fact battles of the sexes are a regular occurrence in the world of staged fight-sport — and the state’s paternalistic display even scandalized a battle-hardened ref who has seen it all, he said.
“I was shocked,” said Kris Levin, who officiated the match. “It’s disgusting that, in 2016, someone would make a call to stop a match because a wrestler is a woman.”
Deputy commissioner Robert Orlando halted a bout between “Bonesaw” Jessie Brooks and “The American Villain” Marc Hauss at St. Finbar Roman Catholic Church less than a minute after it began, claiming that dude and dudette may not legally duke it out in the state of New York — even in fictive fights.
The outraged began crowd chanting “f— that guy” and “this is bull—-,” a video shows.
Brooks, a Brooklyn native who has wrestled for seven years between school and day jobs, has faced her share of insults and obstacles on the road to becoming a respected wrestler, but the state has never taken issue with her gender before Friday, she said.
“I couldn’t believe what was happening,” said Brooks. “I was upset. For weeks I was looking forward to this. If they had an issue with the match they should have said something weeks ago, not 40 seconds into the match.”
Orlando eventually submitted and let the fight go on after consulting the rule book and making multiple phone calls to state officials.
The rule is intended to prevent men and women from boxing against one another, and the commission regrets the error and plans on holding additional staff-training sessions, an Athletic Commission spokesman said.
“The Commission’s position is that all persons must be treated fairly and with respect at Commission-related events,” said the spokesman.
