LDN SPIRIT LEAGUE


The Spirit League is here!  LDN wrestling is proud to recognise British wrestling's heritage by promoting the first regularly televised matches in nearly two decades to combine the principle of the Mount Evans rules and the spirit and tradition of the rounds-based contests popularised on World of Sport.  This is known as the “Spirit League”.

Origins of the Spirit League:
Professional wrestling in Britain has a history stretching back to the late 19th century, but had fallen from favour by the second world war thanks to an overemphasis on the American 'All-in' style. With wrestlers attacking opponents with sawdust, stools and even ether-soaked rags, the apparent absence of rules had left the sport in disrepute and the London City Council had banned wrestling shows in the late 30s. Meanwhile, at the end of the war, officials refused to re-issue promoters with their entertainment licenses, which had been suspended during hostilities.
To salvage the sport's reputation, a committee met in Parliament to establish clear-cut rules to govern wrestling matches. The committee was led by Admiral Lord Edward Mountevans, a former colleague of Scott of the Antarctic, and their findings soon became known as the ‘Mountevans rules'. The committee also included member of parliament Maurice Webb, radio personality Commander AB Campbell, and four-time former British amateur wrestling champion Norman Morrell.
The main purpose of the Mountevans rules was to define the permitted holds used by competitors.
The standard holds:
The standard holds, throws and modes of defence and attack permitted  and recognised for the purpose of international competition in the  British Isles are: Any combination of grips with one or both hands,  and/or one or both legs; taken for the purpose of throwing an opponent,  for the purpose of gaining a pin or submission fall. The use of the forearm for offensive and defensive purposes, the use of the sole or side of the feet, the shoulder charge and the leg dive shall be permitted.
The rules also named the principle holds a wrestler might use:
•           The standing and ground half Nelsons, quarter Nelsons, three-quarter Nelsons and full Nelsons.
•           The standing or the ground, front, side or reverse head chancery.
•           The waist holds.
•           The standing or ground arm up at the back, arm up at the back with elbow press, arm up at the back with bar.
•           The standing or ground wrist lever, wrist bend, arm lever or double arm lever.
•           The crotch hold.
•           The single or double leg holds, back heel, leg stroke, knee stroke, single or double leg hank.
•           The wrestler's bridge.
•           The scissors.
•           The flying mare, ground or standing arm roll or double arm rolls.
•           The buttock, cross buttock, locked arm buttock, crossed arm buttock, locked arm back drop.
And the committee also declared how a match would be won or lost.
DEFINITION OF A FALL
A fall is deemed to have been obtained when a wrestler's shoulders have been pinned to the mat for a count of three to the satisfaction of the referee. A fall may also be given by an opponent submitting from a hold out of which he is unable to escape. A fall shall terminate any round in which it occurs.
DECISIONS BY REFEREE
A match is decided in favour of a wrestler who obtains two out of three falls, or the only fall of the match or whose opponent fails to beat the referee's count of ten when thrown to the canvas, or whose opponent  is ruled by the referee to be in an unfit condition to continue the match, or whose opponent is disqualified by the referee.
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REFEREE
The referee shall have sole and entire charge of the contest and of the wrestlers while they are in the ring and his decisions shall at all times be final.
Contrary to popular belief, the Mountevans rules did not make any mention of time limits. However, promoters soon began operating a rounds system, at first using 10 minute rounds, then switching to five minute rounds for televised matches and three minute rounds for championship contests. By the 1980s three minute rounds had become common in many matches, whether or not titles were at stake.
The Mountevans committee also called for the establishment of British championships in seven weight divisions. Unlike in boxing, there are no lower weight limits. A lighter wrestler is fully entitled to compete for a championship at a heavier division, though naturally he would be at a significant disadvantage in doing so.
 
Lightweight (limit: 154lbs/11 stone)
Welterweight (165lbs/11 stone 11lbs)
Middleweight (176lbs/12 stone 8 lbs)
Heavy middleweight (187lbs/13 stone 5 lbs)
Light heavyweight (198/14 stone 2lbs)
Mid-heavyweight (209/14 stone 13lbs)
Heavyweight
The Mountevans rules proved so successful that officials reissued licenses, with the London City Council lifting its ban. In 1955 wrestling grew to new heights when ITV began televising shows, with coverage continuing until 1988 (including a 20-year run as part of the popular World of Sport slot).