State ruling leaves Seattle Semi-Pro Wrestling on the ropes

The latest state Department of Licensing ruling may mean the end of the line — make that clothesline — for Seattle Semi-Pro (SSP) Wrestling.

The decision issued Friday and released to the public Monday upholds the department's original judgment that SSP is a wrestling event, and not merely "fight-cabaret theater," and that the shows must remain shut down until SSP pays the state for a license as a wrestling promoter.

The rowdy, popular Capitol Hill events have been shuttered since a Jan. 7 show. They had been running monthly for about six years, and the participants made no money from them. Organizers say they can't afford the new fees — which also include a license and physical for each participant and a medic at each show.

"If that's how they're going to classify us, it's probably not likely that we're going to keep going," said Brett Whistler, whose SSP persona is "Draven Lawless."

But SSP is not completely out of options, regardless of whether it can afford to pursue them, or even have a place to put on the show. The previous venue, the King Cobra, closed Feb. 27, tapped out from debt.

Department of Licensing spokeswoman Christine Anthony said the wrestlers have 20 days to request an administrative review, after which the director of the department will have another 20 days to respond. If that appeal doesn't go its way, Anthony said, SSP can step up to King County Superior Court for a judicial review.

SSP is meeting with its lawyer today to discuss the options. Whistler/Lawless said, "Basically, everyone will get together and figure out exactly what else can be done and try to appeal again."

One of the few SSP grapplers with actual training in the sport, Whistler maintained that SSP events are nothing like the real thing.

"I still think we are a different show."

Said SSP co-founder Nathaniel Pinzon, "We got a gut-punch and we just have to recover from it."

Mark Rahner: 206-464-8259 or mrahner@seattletimes.com