"The Show Must Go On" In A Brewing Worldwide Pandemic

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OPINIONS, SPORTS | March 25, 2020

The October 18, 2020 episode of All Elite Wrestling Dynamite live on TNT concluded with the appearance of "Broken" Matt Hardy as the fifth member of Team Elite which is set to take on The Inner Circle at Blood and Guts in the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 threat in North America. (Image Source: eWrestling News via All Elite Wrestling/TNT)

The growing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in more than 160 countries and territories around the world forced many sports leagues to postpone their games to a later date or ultimately axe and cancel the season indefinitely until next year. It even pushed many concerned netizens and parties to clamor for the cancellation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for the safety and well-being of the athletes. However, one sport remains resilient on the middle of a worldwide health crisis and carries the mentality of the saying "the show must go on" amidst any unfortunate circumstance. Some call it sports entertainment, but many others identify the sport as professional wrestling.

In recent times, the professional wrestling industry literally suffered a huge blow due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the cancellation of this year's Wrestlecon which is supposed to take place during Wrestlemania weekend and the suspension of several events scheduled to be held throughout the first few months of the year most likely from the National Wrestling Alliance, Ring of Honor, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. However, there are others that continue to deliver and showcase their own brand of engaging action and epic prowess prior to the brewing crisis. IMPACT Wrestling and Major League Wrestling, for examples, were able to produce episodes from their respective tapings that are slated to air until next month. On the other hand, several independent wrestling promotions remain keen on their own commitment through online-only events streamed live and on-demand on FITE and various online streaming platforms.

All Elite Wrestling, a newly-established league that started a new revolution for the professional wrestling industry for today's generation, literally without question gained a huge blow from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that is affecting the United States as it reschedules forthcoming episodes of its flagship weekly television program Dynamite to later dates and eventually broadcasted a live episode of Dynamite last March 18th inside the Daly's Place Amphitheatre in Jacksonville, Florida with no fans. After the incredible spectacle that was shown on that episode in which you can watch its highlights on AEW's official YouTube channel, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan announced that the Blood and Guts edition of Dynamite has been postponed until further notice, but appreciated the efforts of the fans who continue to support what AEW is all about and known for. In any case, the live crowdless March 18th episode of AEW Dynamite became a somewhat sleeper hit proving that AEW is not bound by the mentality amidst the crisis, but breathes through it.

No matter the impact of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic to the sport, professional wrestling will always find ways to make the most of the impact, continue delivering compellingly engaging and competitive action and entertaining millions around the world who are mandated and encouraged to stay at home for their well-being. Whatever happens next, professional wrestling will always be there to cope with the times that you miss watching your favorite NBA, PBA and UFC stars. Once the crisis is over, always remember to appreciate and patronize the "sleeper hit" sport that is professional wrestling.