[Emperor Smeat]

Apparently an actual list of WWE Rules and stuff meant for house shows accidentally got leaked recently.

One of those errant things left at the arena at the house show on 12/10 in Lowell, MA, got out and listed a number of WWE rules at house shows: Referees should not play a factor in our finishes. It is important to keep their credibility. Do not compromise the referee or put them in a compromising situation. (It’s notable on this one that WWE, as much as they can be showy, is stricter on this than even New Japan, which overdoes it with undermining the credibility of referees, especially in Bullet Club and Los Ingobernables matches.) Please make sure all talent know not go up on the ropes during their entrances. (Obviously Randy Orton is the exception to this rule, but it’s notable that it is a direct house show rule.) Please do not let talent stall too much, especially during the first match. No impromptu talent promos. Promos must be approved ahead of time by Michael Hayes, or by the I.E. Agent/Producer and talent must run the promo content by an agent/producer and agent/producer must approve. No one is to do the yay/boo stuff except John Cena. Use of chairs, tables or other objects must be approved first. Agents need to approve heels taking a walk during their matches and limit it to the top matches only. Regarding injuries, if there is a bad bump or someone appears to be injured: Stop the match to check on talent If the ref is unsure if talent is okay, wave ringside doctor in to check on talent, all the while moving opponent to a neutral corner. If the doctor deems the talent unable to continue, stop the match and have injured talent helped to the back for medical attention and award the match to the opponent. If the talent wants to continue and the ref and doctor agree they can continue without doing further damage, then the talent should be able to get to their feet on their own and the ref can restart the match. Any time a competitor is really hurt, the ref should go to their opponent and stand in front of them with his arms crossed. This is the sign the match has been stopped. Please pass on to talent and referee. Do not give into talent who want to “suck it up” and continue the match. The talent’s well-being always comes first. Never let an opponent attack their injured- opponent to get heat. If a talent is opened up and you must stop the match, later in the show if the cut is closed and the bleeding has stopped, it is okay to send the heel back out to cut a promo bragging about their victory and send the babyface to the ring “spirit of 76" to them, make a comeback and hit his finish on the heel. (Spirit of 76 is a business term for a bandaged up babyface to hit the ring and make a comeback on the heel.) If we do a ref bump during a match, have the ref bump to the floor and have a second referee come down and finish the match. Please do not have the ref that was bumped remain in the ring peeking to see when he should get up and finish the match.