CLAW Wrestling League

[CHROMEBIRD]

What do you all think of this? There were a few mentions of it in the RAF discussions. I'm not familiar with any of the development or draft or other stuff to date, but this sounds like a pretty fun concept and I like how experimental they're going with the rules & format. I mean why not take a few risks and try new things out?

For many of us, it'll probably be difficult to keep in mind that CLAW is trying to appeal first to combat and casual sports fans first, and not really the most diehard aficionados of the sport (e.g., this forum). There's also a CLAW fantasy league with a $1,000 grand prize to get folks interested.

It looks like they've got some pretty good names on the team rosters, and some funny/surprising GMs locked in. Bader interviewed one of the founders on his show recently:

Dual season starts on Oct 28.

https://www.wrestleclaw.com/

[CHROMEBIRD]

In a nutshell, here's what I've gathered about the rules:

Dual format. Folkstyle rules, but:

• 4 periods, 5min total
• 1st period - 90sec; 2nd - 60sec, Wrestler A on top; 3rd - 60sec, Wrestler A on bottom; 4th - 90sec optional choice
• 2pt TD
• 1pt bonus if a wrestler scores in first 10sec of the period
• 1pt push out, no grounding
• 2pt exposure
• 2pt riding time, must rideout the entire period
• 1pt for pylon knockdown during mat wrestling(!)
• 1pt for receiving optional choice
• Quicker stalling and stalemate calls
• Clinch for OT
• No singlets

Dual scoring:

• Win = 5 team points + match point differential
• 25 team points for pinfellery
• 6 wrestlers per team, 1000lb "budget", put out any lineup up to 1000lbs on the fly (so, you could see a 145lber vs. a 197lber)

I'm sure they'll tweak the rules and format further, but they look good! We'll see how it actually works out 

[meZYNbrink]

I love the "any 6 wrestlers" schtick, very reminiscent of Quintet and now CJI (both BJJ competitions). However, I don't know if the format will be as adaptable to wrestling as it's been to BJJ.

Not sure how much I love the actual ruleset, but it's interesting for sure. I think once I see it in action it will make more sense.

I wish them all the best, wrestling needs a professional league (or a few), but we aren't positioned for one the way other sports are. I hope they can build something cool.

[ATKreATK]

Clinch OT is 

[MPhillips]

1 hour ago, ATKreATK said:

Clinch OT is 

[alex1fly]

19 hours ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

In a nutshell, here's what I've gathered about the rules:

Dual format. Folkstyle rules, but:

• 4 periods, 5min total
• 1st period - 90sec; 2nd - 60sec, Wrestler A on top; 3rd - 60sec, Wrestler A on bottom; 4th - 90sec optional choice
• 2pt TD
• 1pt bonus if a wrestler scores in first 10sec of the period
• 1pt push out, no grounding
• 2pt exposure
• 2pt riding time, must rideout the entire period
• 1pt for pylon knockdown during mat wrestling(!)
• 1pt for receiving optional choice
• Quicker stalling and stalemate calls
• Clinch for OT
• No singlets

Dual scoring:

• Win = 5 team points + match point differential
• 25 team points for pinfellery
• 6 wrestlers per team, 1000lb "budget", put out any lineup up to 1000lbs on the fly (so, you could see a 145lber vs. a 197lber)

I'm sure they'll tweak the rules and format further, but they look good! We'll see how it actually works out 

Thanks for the summary! I kinda like these rules. Makes it more arcade-ey lol

Not sure about the 1000 lb "budget". Seems a little weird. And their site shows distinct weight classes.

I do hope they lean into the "what college did you go to" side some. That will help us college folkstyle fans find some identity within their teams.

[jchapman]

Did the Hammers get Bono to sign off on Burwick?

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

18 hours ago, ATKreATK said:

Clinch OT is 

Haven't we already seen this?

[MPhillips]

8 minutes ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

Haven't we already seen this?

Boy have we...

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

4 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

Boy have we...

Poor Kolat.  

[CHROMEBIRD]

1 hour ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

Haven't we already seen this?

Slightly different variation this time. If I understand correctly, OT will be 30sec, both wrestlers in over & under clinch with their hands locked. Wrestler that breaks their grip loses (opponent get 1pt?) but will have whatever time remains in the period to score. If both wrestlers remain in the clinch with their hands locked after the OT clock runs out, the match is a tie.

It's interesting that CLAW intentionally chose to call their OT a clinch, which is kind of bad word to wrestling fans. The OT format sounds a little goofy and I'm not sure if that's the best way to resolve a tie, but then again it's supposed to draw interest from casuals. I'm curious to see how it works out.

[CHROMEBIRD]

2 hours ago, alex1fly said:

I do hope they lean into the "what college did you go to" side some. That will help us college folkstyle fans find some identity within their teams.

I agree that there needs to be a location, school, or some kind of affiliation to create a stronger connection with fans. It looks like the teams are setup that way now, so if an investors come along and wants to bring a team to their city, they could easily do so... Kind of like the way the Unrivaled league is setup in wbb now. 

Here are the other three teams. If any of you had General Manager Angelo Ferrari on your 2025 Bingo card, please buy yourself a Powerball ticket ASAP

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

4 minutes ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

Slightly different variation this time. If I understand correctly, OT will be 30sec, both wrestlers in over & under clinch with their hands locked. Wrestler that breaks their grip loses (opponent get 1pt?) but will have whatever time remains in the period to score. If both wrestlers remain in the clinch with their hands locked after the OT clock runs out, the match is a tie.

It's interesting that CLAW intentionally chose to call their OT a clinch, which is kind of bad word to wrestling fans. The OT format sounds a little goofy and I'm not sure if that's the best way to resolve a tie, but then again it's supposed to draw interest from casuals. I'm curious to see how it works out.

Not that different than the clinch rule that followed a scoreless period in freestyle c. 2000, except that was a full minute.  If I remember correctly, Kolat (and some other Americans) used to just bail, bc 'the upper body clinch is not a FS position' and they were not comfortable.

[CHROMEBIRD]

14 minutes ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

Not that different than the clinch rule that followed a scoreless period in freestyle c. 2000, except that was a full minute.  If I remember correctly, Kolat (and some other Americans) used to just bail, bc 'the upper body clinch is not a FS position' and they were not comfortable.

My memory is a little hazy on the ball grab & clinch days, which we all want to forget, but I thought the rule in MFS was that the clinch OT started with one wrestler in on the leg (or waist?) of the opponent? Either way, I kind of like the idea of wrestlers being in uncomfortable positions like the upper body clinch.

Bailing instantly would be an interesting strategy because unclasping your hands would be a loss in CLAW unless you take your opponent down. Would you immediately drop down and go for a leg or blast double? Releasing your clinch while your opponent still has you locked might also make you prone for exposure or getting tossed. Could create some interesting action either way.

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

3 hours ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

My memory is a little hazy on the ball grab & clinch days, which we all want to forget, but I thought the rule in MFS was that the clinch OT started with one wrestler in on the leg (or waist?) of the opponent? Either way, I kind of like the idea of wrestlers being in uncomfortable positions like the upper body clinch.

Bailing instantly would be an interesting strategy because unclasping your hands would be a loss in CLAW unless you take your opponent down. Would you immediately drop down and go for a leg or blast double? Releasing your clinch while your opponent still has you locked might also make you prone for exposure or getting tossed. Could create some interesting action either way.

Pretty sure the first iteration of the clinch for FS was a bodylock.  Then they went to the stupid leg clinch.  Tough to find these rules online because the internet was in its infancy.  I'm pretty sure Kolat bailed to give 1 as opposed to a potential 3+ in the Olympics.  I could be wrong.  Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to get Olympic matches (even for the athletes in the actual match).

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

3 hours ago, CHROMEBIRD said:

My memory is a little hazy on the ball grab & clinch days, which we all want to forget, but I thought the rule in MFS was that the clinch OT started with one wrestler in on the leg (or waist?) of the opponent? Either way, I kind of like the idea of wrestlers being in uncomfortable positions like the upper body clinch.

Bailing instantly would be an interesting strategy because unclasping your hands would be a loss in CLAW unless you take your opponent down. Would you immediately drop down and go for a leg or blast double? Releasing your clinch while your opponent still has you locked might also make you prone for exposure or getting tossed. Could create some interesting action either way.

And then I find this.  Shortened match, but refers to the position