7:33 AM EST

THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION has posted two explosive stories regarding Cary Ichter's crusade to regulate professional wrestling in the State of Georgia. Ichter, a member of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, is also the attorney representing the Estate of Chris Benoit. Ichter's comments regarding World Wrestling Entertainment's  decision not to settle with the Estate (as represented by Chris Benoit's father Michael) by WWE giving Chris' two surviving children David and Megan $2,000,000 as recognition of their father's contributions to the company covered by www.wrestlingnewsdesk.com , which you can read here:  WWE BALKS AT $2,000,000 SETTLEMENT IN BENOIT CASE

 
In a story written by AJC reporter John Hollis, WWE has threatened to pull all its events out of the State of Georgia should the commission impose newly-proposed regulations on professional wrestling such as stringent drug testing. The article states the following:
 
World Wrestling Entertainment says it will pull out of the state if subjected to state regulation.

"If those regulation are applied to us, we won't do Georgia," WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt warned Monday afternoon.

The threat came on the eve of Tuesday morning's scheduled 11 a.m. meeting of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission in which the state governing body is expected to discuss abuses in professional wrestling. The body, which is better known as the state boxing commission, regulates the state's boxing and mixed martial arts, as well as ticket brokers.

Professional wrestling also falls under the group's jurisdiction, but the WWE had been exempt thanks to a 2005 statute that excluded groups with total assets or more than $25 million. Only the state Legislature can undo the exemption.

"Almost every state knows, and has known for years, that wrestling is entertainment and not a sport," he said. "It's like Ice Capades."

Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission chairman Kelly Farr declined comment when reached at his office.

One of the board's commissioners, Atlanta-based attorney Cary Ichter, represents the father of deceased wrestler Chris Benoit, whose murder of his wife and son and subsequent suicide at their family home in Fayettville precipitated the series of events leading to this point.

Ichter, who has championed for the better care of wrestlers since the Benoit tragedy in late June, said he wasn't surprised to hear of the WWE's threat to pull out.

"What else would you expect a bully to say?" he said.

Tuesday's meeting of the boxing commission is expected to focus largely on small-time wrestling events and not the conglomerate that is the Connecticut-based WWE. The commission is expected to take public comment before considering a number of amendments to its rules. Ichter has said he would love to see the WWE's loophole eventually rescinded and have its performers subject to drug testing and other regulation just like participants from other sports in Georgia.

The WWE will be back in town next week when it hosts its "RAW LIVE" show at Phillips Arena on Dec. 28.

Today's hearing was an explosive one, as many in the wrestling community feel Ichter presents a clear conflict of interest. For once, it appears the mighty World Wrestling Entertainment corporation and the small independent groups that struggle to survive are clearly on the same side of a fight. Hollis followed up his report in the AJC with this report regarding the 60 day delay of the hearings:

Professional wrestling put a smackdown Tuesday on a state panel's proposal to regulate the industry, prompting a 60-day delay on a decision.

The proposed regulations by the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, such as having paid medical personnel on hand for all events, would apply only to small-time wrestling operations like the Clarkesville-based NWA Anarchy Wrestling. The board also wants to increase inspection of wrestlers and their organizations as well as banning any physical or verbal threats toward the audience and the use of too much grease lotion or foreign substances on a wrestler's body.

"Asinine," is what NWA Anarchy wrestler Eddie Chastain called the proposed measures.

He was among about 70 current and former wrestlers and their promoters who made their displeasure heard at the commission meeting in Atlanta.

The agency, better known as the boxing commission, already regulates the state's boxing and mixed martial arts, as well as ticket brokers. Professional wrestling also falls under the group's jurisdiction, although the Connecticut-based World Wrestling Entertainment had been exempt due to a 2005 statute that excluded groups with total assets of more than $25 million.

"I think it went positive," commission chairman J.J. Biello said after the meeting. "We were looking for feedback. We're open to looking at the rules and changing some things as long as it fairly represents the interest of the state and the fighters, or entertainers in this case. Our main concern is the health and safety of the performers."

WWE representative John Taylor also was pleased.

"It's good they listened to people who know the business," said Taylor, an Atlanta attorney. "These rules they proposed are ridiculous."

The WWE would not have been affected by the new proposals, but nevertheless let it be known earlier this week that it would pull all events out of the state if it's exemption were rescinded by the Georgia legislature.

NWA Anarchy owner Jerry Palmer was among those who argued that the new rules would put a financial chokehold on small wrestling organizations.

Furthermore, Palmer and others said, the proposed regulations would endanger wrestlers who would resort to performing in outlaw shows under no constraints.

Commissioner Phil Hunnicutt moved to table any vote until wrestling organizations are all licensed and included in talks about rule changes. That sparked a standing ovation.

Fellow commissioner Cary Ichter seconded the measure. Ichter, an Atlanta attorney who represents the father of deceased wrestler Chris Benoit, came under criticism from many of the wrestling community at the meeting. They say it is a conflict of interest for him to sit on the board while also representing the Benoit estate in a likely legal battle with the WWE.

Ichter has dismissed such claims. Biello declined comment Tuesday.