High heels are not permitted to be worn on the ring apron in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Artists, poets and writers have flocked to Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., to unwind and create their latest masterpieces. Even Clint Eastwood served as the nonpartisan mayor there from 1986 to 1988. But the historic city on the Pacific Coast may not feel very welcoming to certain fashion-forward WWE Divas (we're looking at you, Eve).
Carmel is also known for some unusual laws, one of which includes a prohibition on wearing high heel shoes without a permit. The reason behind this rule is to prevent lawsuits following accidents caused by irregular pavement. Unfortunately for the Divas, this restriction applies to WWE ring aprons as well. So if any Diva wants to step into the squared circle with six-inch Stiletto pumps, she better have her permit handy for Carmel authorities to inspect.
Dallas requires independent, licensed inspectors to measure the length of the tag rope
To some of the younger members of the WWE Universe, the very existence of the tag rope might come as a surprise. For the uninitiated, Superstars must hold onto the rope, which is tied to the top turnbuckle, until they are legally tagged into the bout. The purpose of the rope is to prevent blatant double-teaming and interference from the illegal partner, as well as to prevent the illegal partner from walking halfway down the ring apron to make the tag.
As far as most local sport commissions are concerned, however, the specific length of the rope is of stunningly little consequence. Most governing bodies view it more as a goodwill gesture by WWE’s officiating community that suggests the tag rules will indeed be strictly enforced.
In Dallas, however, details such as rope length matter. Prior to each WWE TV show, pay-per-view and Live Event, an independent inspector – assigned by local officials – is sent to the arena to measure the length of tag ropes in diagonally opposite corners. (The standard length, according to Dallas, is 18 inches.) The inspectors are also required to receive recertification biannually.
If the last two Royal Rumble finalists are eliminated simultaneously, the General Manager has the option of restarting the entire Royal Rumble Match again
There always must be a winner in the Royal Rumble Match, but what if the last two participants are eliminated at the same time? Two specific incidents in Rumble history caused WWE to institute a peculiar contingency plan to give the General Manager (or Commissioner) more flexibility when tasked with making a very tough call.
In 1994, when Bret Hart and Lex Luger's feet hit the floor at exactly the same time, Hart and Luger were declared the co-winners of the Rumble. Then, in 2005, Raw and SmackDown officials were at odds when John Cena and Batista went over the top at the same time, so Mr. McMahon strutted to the ring and ordered the match to be restarted with the final two competitors. Batista went on to win that Rumble, but some question to this day whether Cena actually had it in the bag instead.
While it's proven to be a rare occurrence, there's no doubt this kind of scenario creates a lot of confusion, and leaves one Superstar thinking he may have been robbed of a victory. What better way to assure even odds – and keep the WWE Universe on its toes – than to make the final two participants fight 28 other Superstars over again? After all, who wouldn't want to witness double the Royal Rumble Match madness in one night? Now that's "People Power"!
Multi-person matches are limited to 12 vs. 1 contests in Tillamook, Oregon
Everyone loves a good lopsided brawl in WWE from time to time, but if you're in Tillamook, Ore., don't expect to rumble without an even dozen on one side of the equation. WWE matches with multiple opponents are limited to shockingly disproportionate battles of 12 vs. 1 in the small city. Even that notorious 8-on-1 beatdown that John Cena took from The Nexus in 2010 would've been against policy.
Why 12 remains the lucky number remains a mystery. The economy in Tillamook is primarily based on dairy farms, so some believe it's a nod to all those delicious baker's dozens of breads and doughnuts that have been made with the county creamery's products.
Baby blue trunks are banned in the state of North Carolina on Wednesdays
Bizarre, right? The state that is perhaps most closely associated with eggshell blue – thanks in equal part to the popularity of Charlotte favorite Ric Flair and to the white-and-blue colors of the University of North Carolina Tarheels – actually disallows trunks of that color, and for just one day of the week.
Why this ban is limited to hump day remains a mystery, though the heads of the now-defunct Jim Crockett Promotions (WCW’s predecessor) must be grateful, in hindsight, that the rule oddity did not come into effect until well after JCP stopped taping its television Wednesday nights at WRAL in Raleigh. Thankfully for current Superstars, the rule has little effect on the modern-day schedule of Raw SuperShow, SmackDown, pay-per-views and WWE Live Events.
Artists, poets and writers have flocked to Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., to unwind and create their latest masterpieces. Even Clint Eastwood served as the nonpartisan mayor there from 1986 to 1988. But the historic city on the Pacific Coast may not feel very welcoming to certain fashion-forward WWE Divas (we're looking at you, Eve).
Carmel is also known for some unusual laws, one of which includes a prohibition on wearing high heel shoes without a permit. The reason behind this rule is to prevent lawsuits following accidents caused by irregular pavement. Unfortunately for the Divas, this restriction applies to WWE ring aprons as well. So if any Diva wants to step into the squared circle with six-inch Stiletto pumps, she better have her permit handy for Carmel authorities to inspect.
Dallas requires independent, licensed inspectors to measure the length of the tag rope
To some of the younger members of the WWE Universe, the very existence of the tag rope might come as a surprise. For the uninitiated, Superstars must hold onto the rope, which is tied to the top turnbuckle, until they are legally tagged into the bout. The purpose of the rope is to prevent blatant double-teaming and interference from the illegal partner, as well as to prevent the illegal partner from walking halfway down the ring apron to make the tag.
As far as most local sport commissions are concerned, however, the specific length of the rope is of stunningly little consequence. Most governing bodies view it more as a goodwill gesture by WWE’s officiating community that suggests the tag rules will indeed be strictly enforced.
In Dallas, however, details such as rope length matter. Prior to each WWE TV show, pay-per-view and Live Event, an independent inspector – assigned by local officials – is sent to the arena to measure the length of tag ropes in diagonally opposite corners. (The standard length, according to Dallas, is 18 inches.) The inspectors are also required to receive recertification biannually.
If the last two Royal Rumble finalists are eliminated simultaneously, the General Manager has the option of restarting the entire Royal Rumble Match again
There always must be a winner in the Royal Rumble Match, but what if the last two participants are eliminated at the same time? Two specific incidents in Rumble history caused WWE to institute a peculiar contingency plan to give the General Manager (or Commissioner) more flexibility when tasked with making a very tough call.
In 1994, when Bret Hart and Lex Luger's feet hit the floor at exactly the same time, Hart and Luger were declared the co-winners of the Rumble. Then, in 2005, Raw and SmackDown officials were at odds when John Cena and Batista went over the top at the same time, so Mr. McMahon strutted to the ring and ordered the match to be restarted with the final two competitors. Batista went on to win that Rumble, but some question to this day whether Cena actually had it in the bag instead.
While it's proven to be a rare occurrence, there's no doubt this kind of scenario creates a lot of confusion, and leaves one Superstar thinking he may have been robbed of a victory. What better way to assure even odds – and keep the WWE Universe on its toes – than to make the final two participants fight 28 other Superstars over again? After all, who wouldn't want to witness double the Royal Rumble Match madness in one night? Now that's "People Power"!
Multi-person matches are limited to 12 vs. 1 contests in Tillamook, Oregon
Everyone loves a good lopsided brawl in WWE from time to time, but if you're in Tillamook, Ore., don't expect to rumble without an even dozen on one side of the equation. WWE matches with multiple opponents are limited to shockingly disproportionate battles of 12 vs. 1 in the small city. Even that notorious 8-on-1 beatdown that John Cena took from The Nexus in 2010 would've been against policy.
Why 12 remains the lucky number remains a mystery. The economy in Tillamook is primarily based on dairy farms, so some believe it's a nod to all those delicious baker's dozens of breads and doughnuts that have been made with the county creamery's products.
Baby blue trunks are banned in the state of North Carolina on Wednesdays
Bizarre, right? The state that is perhaps most closely associated with eggshell blue – thanks in equal part to the popularity of Charlotte favorite Ric Flair and to the white-and-blue colors of the University of North Carolina Tarheels – actually disallows trunks of that color, and for just one day of the week.
Why this ban is limited to hump day remains a mystery, though the heads of the now-defunct Jim Crockett Promotions (WCW’s predecessor) must be grateful, in hindsight, that the rule oddity did not come into effect until well after JCP stopped taping its television Wednesday nights at WRAL in Raleigh. Thankfully for current Superstars, the rule has little effect on the modern-day schedule of Raw SuperShow, SmackDown, pay-per-views and WWE Live Events.
