BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Professional wrestlers and promoters in New York state don't want to burst any bubbles but they say facts are facts.

"What we do is entertainment. Simulated combat entertainment," wrestler, coach and trainer Mikey Everynite said.

The matches they say have some inherent risks but ultimately are staged and much safer than combat sports. However, Everynight believes he and his colleagues are victims of their own proficiency.

"Since we are such good actors and we are good at convincing you of the unreal being real, we're subjected to regulations based on a real combat sport," he said.

Currently, professional wrestling is regulated the same way as sports like boxing and mixed martial arts. Promoter Jacob Szopinski of Daddy Yeah! Productions believes they should be treated more like other live productions though.

"We are trained professionals such as that so putting us in a different category than other entertainers really isn't fair to us," Szopinski said.

Everynight described the bouts as "no different than Shakespeare in the Park but more violent."

State Sen. Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, has introduced legislation directing the state athletic commission to review the need for regulations and licensing in pro wrestling and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by Nov. 1.

"We want to be make sure that it's being looked upon as a separate institution of pro wrestling rather than boxing or mixed martial arts. They're just not the same in my eyes but that's going to be up to the athletic commission to determine in their eyes," Kennedy said.

Szopinski said the extra regulations like requirements to have an ambulance and a state-licensed physician at matche, make it more burdensome and expensive to do. Right now he said most promoters can put on a show about four to six times a year but changes to the law could make it a year-round and statewide form of entertainment.

"Wrestling is Americana," Szopinski said. "Everyone deserves it. Unfortunately right now is where we can get enough revenue."

Industry professionals said most wrestlers have at least a year of training before they enter the ring.