With the wrestling world waiting to see if WWE will cancel WrestleMania 36 this year in Tampa, Florida, it appears that more indie promotions are taking the initiative to shut down their events, despite the huge potential financial ramifications. The WWE appears to be in a stalemate with the City of Tampa, most likely due to insurance reasons, but indie promotions around the world are having to act more quickly. Last week, Germany’s Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) and Oregon’s Prestige Wrestling announced their own cancellations for WrestleMania Week, and this past week has seen more following suit.
Bullet Club Beach Party Cancelled
On Thursday, New Japan’s Bullet Club made the sad announcement that their annual WrestleMania pre-party was indeed cancelled, saying “we have the unfortunate obligation to hereby cancel Bullet Club Beach Party, Tampa” amidst the health crisis. This would have been the second year for the new annual event, following last year’s Bullet Club Block Party in New Jersey.
https://twitter.com/BulletClubBP/status/1238272389168824320
Uncanny Attractions Cancelled
Brooklyn’s Uncanny Attractions has been a strong advocate for the promotion of the burgeoning LGBTQ+ wrestling community, and had big plans for Drags & Dropkicks this WrestleMania Week in Tampa, but like Bullet Club, announced the events cancellation on Thursday as well. “Through this current situation, Uncanny Attraction’s main concern is the safety of our fans and the safety of our wrestlers,” they announced in a statement. “We regret to inform our fans that we will be cancelling our April 2nd show for Uncanny Attractions due to the spread of the Coronavirus.”
So let’s talk … pic.twitter.com/M8cUVAXVUr
— Uncanny Attractions (@uncanny_attract) March 12, 2020
Generation Championship Wrestling Cancels Series of Events
Florida’s Generation Championship Wrestling was set for a major week of showcase events, but the hometown promotion was also forced to make a decision and for the sake of public safety, cancelled their week long series of events on Saturday. “It is with great sadness that we have also been forced to cancel the show during mania week,” they announced on their Instagram. “Everyone at Generation Championship Wrestling – GCW & The Italian Club of Tampa wishes nothing but happiness and health, and would rather error on the side of caution.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9sdJ18pL5F/?igshid=13803oae1a7ed
Faye Jackson’s Grey Sweatpants Battle Royal Postponed
Indie star Faye Jackson was ready to throw one of the funner events of the week with the Grey Sweatpants Battle Royal, that would have seen some of the top indie stars competing in, well, grey sweatpants. “I made the decision to postpone the Grey Sweatpants Battle Royal,” she announced on Twitter on Friday night. “I’m not throwing in the towel yet because I want to make history.” While the event has not been outright cancelled, it’s been postponed to a later date.
This shit is wild but I refuse to give up
Trust me I’m not looking for sympathy…I’m looking for your faith in me ❤️
Plz RT pic.twitter.com/R7hUyNfDLi— Faye Jackson (@fayejackson419) March 14, 2020
EVOLVE/WWN Events Following WWE Lead
EVOLVE Wrestling and its parent, World Wrestling Network (WWN), while postponing upcoming shows in the coming week, is remaining steadfast, as it aligns with its Big Brother, WWE. From WWN Newsletter: “The WRESTLExpo events during Wrestlemania week will follow the lead of Wrestlemania. They are scheduled to proceed. We are closely monitoring this situation and will make adjustments if necessary. Follow @WWNEVOLVE Twitter for the latest news.”
WrestleCon Status Up In The Air
Highspots’ WrestleCon, started by Michael Bochicchio, has been an annual showcase of the stars, a who’s who of not only the best indie performers from around the world, but a destination to meet with Legends from the WWE, NWA, WCW, ECW, and multiple other global companies. Unlike big companies like WWE or AEW, WrestleCon has no insurance for shutting down something of this magnitude, so they’re still weighing options. In a recent article from David Bixenspan with VICE, Bochicchio stated “I’m not kidding, if this is a full cancellation, I’ll likely sell my house…You can put it on the record, it’s true.”
Mrs Wrestlecon was upset after reading some twitter comments today, thought this is worth a read. https://t.co/xpP6jxtAt5
— WrestleCon – Philadelphia- April 4-7 (@wrestlecon) March 13, 2020
Game Changer Wrestling (GCW)’s The Collective Still Up In The Air
When the initial thoughts of WrestleMania being cancelled or postponed due to the health concerns, Game Changer Wrestling made a unified front statement from all the indies involved in this year’s Collective that “the show would go on.” But as the outbreak heightens and Florida has begun to tighten the gates and events, it may no longer even be in GCW’s hands anymore. On Saturday, through the Collective’s Twitter, they stated they “will address everything as soon as we can.”
We will address everything as soon as we can.
Hang in there, we're doing our best.
Thanks for your patience and understanding.
— TheCollective2024 (@collective2024) March 14, 2020
With the WWE and/or the City of Tampa expected to make an announcement in the coming week, expect more cancellations as the Coronavirus continues to make its impact on sporting and entertainment events through the spring.
Stay tuned to Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.
