So many clowns that know nothing of wrestling history ITT. Like other anons have mentioned, closed fists ARE supposed to be illegal in professional wrestling. It's a key part of kayfabe to separate pro wrestling from boxing and other combat sports, and this dates back to the earliest days of wrestling distinguishing itself from the other major sports (and pro wrestling was seen as a major sport until at least the 1920s).
After this, most wrestling territories protected those traditions. Over time, they started to erode but the NWA was the torch bearer for trying to standardize wrestling rules, and 'no closed fists' was near the very top of their rulebook for refereeing matches. Basically up through the 50s and 60s, only heels would use closed fists and they would be warned repeatedly by the refs, and boo'd by crowds for breaking the rules instead of having a clean match.
Now, as guys like Jerry Lawler and Terry Funk and others became more popular in the 70s and working closed fist punches was very much a trademark of their style, these rules became more universally relaxed because at the end of the day, what draws money dictates what's what in pro wrestling. But still, even into the 80s, into the 90s, even into the early 00s of Ruthless Aggression, most referees would still VISIBLY and a lot of the time very AUDIBLY warn wrestlers for using closed fists. Go back and watch any Attitude Era match and Hebner is busting Austin's balls for using a closed fist every single time, more or less.
This is why chops/forearms are a thing and part of the wrestling tradition. They were seen as clean and legal wrestling strikes. Now, if you want to talk about Japanese style fighting spirit spots, that's a similar thing but still something else entirely.
>inb4 some newfag tries to muh sekret club me with 'reddit spacing'
don't care plus you're gay
