This Controversial Martial “Art” Is Illegal In Louisiana

Just earlier this year WWE announced that WrestleMania 42 will be returning to New Orleans, Louisiana in 2026. With the biggest show in the world of professional wrestling coming to Louisiana again there's a new interest in local wrestling, boxing, and MMA fights just to name a few.

There's one controversial form of wrestling that is completely outlawed in Louisiana, and you wouldn't predict it at first but it will make perfect sense when you think about it.

The State Boxing & Wrestling Commission: Louisiana's Bosses of Boxing

Louisiana has its own government body to regulate wrestling and boxing (Yes, even the "fake" WWE-style pro wrestling). The Louisiana State Boxing & Wrestling Commission's primary focuses include licensing athletes and promotions to make sure they are qualified to take part or put on an event, as well as setting safety regulations for wrestling or boxing events in the state.

The LSBWC regulates a lot of events and makes sure everything from professional wrestling shows by Wildkat Sports to MMA shows at Live! in Bossier City. But there's one wrestling form so extreme that the order to ban the style came from not the Wrestling Commission, but from their bosses at the Capitol.

Bear Wrestling Is Illegal In Louisiana

The presumably Russian-born wrestling style of locking up a collar-and-elbow hold with a grizzly bear has been illegal in the state of Louisiana since 1992.

Defined by law as "a match or contest between one or more persons and a bear for the purpose of fighting or engaging in a physical altercation," bear wrestling can land you in jail for up to 6 months on top of a fine of up to $500.

However not just the person fighting the bear (assuming they win) gets taken into custody for it, anyone else who promotes or is employed by someone conducting a bear wrestling match is liable to the same punishments.