In these unprecedented times, a company’s worth can be accurately measured by their behaviour.
In the case of WWE, it has been confirmed that they are nothing more than a company with no regard for anything other than their bottom line. Through shady business dealings that resulted in being named an essential business (something they most definitely are not) to firing a host of superstars and staff, they have behaved in a morally reprehensible manner.
Thankfully, they are the only company to have taken such inappropriate action and the rest of the moderate-sized to large ones have shown themselves to be more than willing to make the adjustments necessary to protect their staff and fans.
A shining example of such behaviour can be found in the form of MLW.
The Court Bauer led promotion benefits from the fact that they have a wealth of pre-taped material so they can continue to provide their fans with activities that took place in front of a crowd. It also means that they are able to cancel all shows in the interim in order to allow their staff members to observe social distancing rules, staying safe by doing so. Court himself put it best when speaking with Entrepreneur:
“I’ll say this succinctly: That my competitors are putting on events in empty arenas and exposing their talent, crews, staff and families to the potential [of] contracting the coronavirus I think is, frankly, grotesque.”
He is, in my estimation, correct in this assertion. To continue putting your workers at risk, even a mitigated risk, is irresponsible and downright dangerous. They are unable to observe the CDC’s guidelines if they’re still going out there wrestling another person regularly. MLW has proven that they actually care about the health of those working for them over the monetary value of running events, with Court adding that they are not doing so for the positive press but because it is the right thing to do.
Across the world in Japan, NJPW is following the same course by ceasing live shows until it becomes safe to resume activities. In addition to this, they are also taking care of their employees financially by continuing to pay them despite the absence of events.
New Japan legend Hiroshi Tanahashi has said that he believes Pro Wrestling should be the last sport to return. This creates a stark contrast between his words and the sycophantic ones of several WWE employees who seem to support the company blindly. Clearly, New Japan has fostered an atmosphere that lets workers feel safe in speaking their minds, rather than fearing termination for daring to question the company they work for.
New Japan’s executives have also requested, where possible, for wrestlers to be provided with testing kits to ensure their safety and for contracted workers across the industry in the country to be provided with compensation befitting of a full-time employee.
Back in the USA, Ring Of Honor has also cancelled all of their upcoming events through to May 31st in an effort to protect their workers and fans. The company has also issued refunds for tickets that were bought for those events and are extending the subscriptions of existing HonorClub members by 90 days to cover this entire period. For a company that has suffered its fair share of negative headlines of late, this shows their clear commitment to bettering the promotion and taking care of those that rely on them.
Impact Wrestling has also cancelled their shows and are, according to Ethan Page, paying their talents for cancelled shows. Like with ROH, this shows how a change in management can make a company so much better. Dixie would likely have been pulling a McMahon right now, but that’s not the case with the Anthem owned promotion of today.
There are, of course, companies that are running the empty arena shows. Alongside WWE, AEW is putting on their weekly programmes in front of no fans, though a smattering of performers creates a makeshift audience to fill the deafening silence. Whilst they are apparently observing social distancing measures backstage, the booking of a Lumberjack Match, as well as the closeness of ringside spectators, shows that the company could be doing a lot more to be compliant.
They are clear in the fact that no one will be punished if they do not wish to attend tapings, however. Something that WWE could take notes from if the accusation of forcing people to work is true.
Overall, the reaction of most wrestling companies has been beyond reproach. It is only the big two who need to look at themselves and shape up. Those mentioned as well as others have set a fantastic example to follow and deserve to be recognised for it.
As a fan, if you have any spare money now is the time to order your favourite indie wrestler’s shirt. It may not seem like much, but it will help immeasurably if enough people who can help, do help.
Above all else though, stay safe and watch wrestling from the comfort of your homes. Unless you are a key worker, in which case thank you from us all for being out there doing what you do.
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You can find the author of this article on Twitter @Impers0nalJesus. Thanks for reading!