5 WWE rules that are never seriously enforced

While professional wrestling may be scripted, it does very much try to maintain the illusion of being real. Hence, you have all the extras added in such as referees, rules, and the like. And, for the most part, it does add to the spectacle. Superstars kicking out at the 11th hour to survive a massive finisher is what makes wrestling great, after all.

But, there are times where these rules feel a little bit rubbish. If you're going to add the rules in, at least make sure the rule is at least enforced. It doesn't even have to be in every match, just make sure it's enforced from time to time so that there is some illusion of kayfabe being kept up.

It's all well and good to disqualify Baron Corbin when you see him kick Shinsuke in his Nakamuras but what about the other thousands of instances when the ref sees the rules being broken but just refuses to do anything about it?

So, without any further ado, here is our list of 5 WWE rules that are never seriously enforced:

#5 Both men's feet simultaneously hitting the floor

This is one that applies to Over the Top Rope Battle Royales, as well as Steel Cage, matches and, of course, The Royal Rumble.

We have seen this time and time again where the referees try to play it off like both men's feet touched the floor at the exact same time but that just isn't true. Remember when AJ Styles' feet clearly hit the floor before Luke Harper's in the build up to Wrestlemania and they still called it a draw?

The only instance of this actually being enforced is when John Cena and Batista hit the floor simultaneously in a botched finish at the 2005 Royal Rumble when Cena was supposed to be eliminated.

That was excellently handled and added to the storyline drama and it's a shame that we don't see the company rolling with the punches like they did back then.

#4 Shoulder must be on the mat in order to be pinned

This one is responsible for a number of sketchy finishes over the years, most recently the WWE Championship match between Randy Orton and Jinder Mahal at Backlash 2017. The Viper's shoulders were clearly off the mat and yet he was pinned as the referee counted to three.

If you're going to keep using this rule over and over again, at least make sure you get it right. We have seen this one over the years even with simple finishes like roll-ups. And, it isn't even a small thing, it literally pertains to the very end of a match and we can all see replays showing the referee being in the wrong.

Again, if the WWE insists on persisting with this farcical rule, at least add some storyline elements to make it look convincing. It's really not that difficult, WWE.

#3 Getting disqualified for hitting the referee

This one is just plain silly. You hit the ref, you get disqualified. Simple as that. Instead, we see WWE superstars willfully attack referees and get away with it scot free. While the attacked referee is laid out, another one runs in from the back to perform his duties. Why can't the new ref just disqualify the offender?

Also, why is this rule only enforced when there's a dusty finish at play? One person attacks the referee and pretends it was his opponent. Cue the DQ. Why was this guy disqualified when no one else on a day to day basis?

You can't complain that kayfabe is dead because wrestlers are posting pictures on their Instagram account and still accept this selective disqualification of superstars.

#2 Holding onto the corner rope while tagging in

I don't know if everyone knows this rule, but you need to be holding onto that little white rope in your corner when you're waiting on the apron to be tagged in. It's a weird rule and I have no idea why it exists considering no one ever adheres to it.

I think it's supposed to add to the tension by restricting how much the passive tag team partner can stretch as he waits for a hot tag but it really doesn't add that much to the spectacle and seems to be the relic of a bygone era.

Regardless, Vince McMahon persists on having it around and no one else seems to care. Sure, you see the superstars hold onto it for the first few minutes but no one really bothers after that and the referees do absolutely nothing to enforce the rule.

#1 Not adhering to the referee's count

You're doing something illegal, the referee starts counting and you have to stop your illegal move before he reaches the count of 5. Except, you don't and you don't get disqualified. Or, you don't, and the ref stops his count to berate you. What is happening?

Why isn't this rule taken more seriously? And, why does the count go out the window late into tag team matches? And, why is there a 10 count for mounted punches on the corner turnbuckle?

I'm done. It's exhausting to think about all these rules not being enforced and still try to enjoy wrestling.

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