Another one bites the dust. On Monday, the NWA announced the decision to suspend all live events through June acting in accordance with recent CDC recommendations limiting crowd sizes at gatherings at no more than 50 people.
The NWA released their statement which reads in part:
“The National Wrestling Alliance, given the uncertain course of this world health crisis, is suspending normal operations until June as far as any live performances. This includes the upcoming Atlanta, GA events; Crockett Cup PPV on April 19th at the Gateway Center Arena and our NWA Powerrr tapings at GPB Studios on April 20th and 21st. At this time, the Super Powerrr episode scheduled to air on Tuesday March 17th, which promoted these events, will not air in its current form in order to not create confusion in the marketplace. However, we will continue to produce content in the interim, and thank fans in advance for their continued support.
The health and safety of our wrestlers, in-house and NWA staff, and fans are of the utmost importance during the global pandemic of COVID-19. We look forward to seeing you all soon.”
The National Wrestling Alliance Suspends Crockett Cup & NWA Powerrr Live Events
Full Details – https://t.co/Nz4LDVqhjr pic.twitter.com/i4LJFZfcSj
— NWA (@nwa) March 16, 2020
The NWA also announced specifics on how fans can receive refunds or future tickets to any purchased performances as well as refunds for those who purchased the Crockett Cup event on FITE.
“For those who have purchased tickets to The Crockett Cup at the Gateway Center, you’ll be receiving a refund from the point of purchase. For the NWA Powerrr at GPB on April 20th and 21st, if you’d like to keep your tickets for a future GPB event please email [email protected] If you do not contact Maureen within 5 days, you’ll be issued a refund on your NWA Powerrr tickets.
Also anyone who has pre-ordered Crockett Cup on Fite.tv will be receiving a refund as well ASAP.”
NWA’s Worlds Champion and ambassador for the brand, Nick Aldis, offered additional remarks, speaking not as the real world’s champion or the bombastic guy fans are used to seeing on TV, but as a father, a husband, a brother, a son. As one of us, just trying to get through this terrible time together. As Aldis noted, the NWA’s was not an easy decision, but it was one made in the best interest of the fans, the wrestlers, the staff and everyone whose contributions would have been vital for the production of the Crockett Cup and ensuing TV tapings. As Aldis said, “common sense has to prevail.”
A message from Nick Aldis about the #CrockettCup and #NWAPowerrr events suspended today.
Full Details – https://t.co/Nz4LDVqhjr@RealNickAldis pic.twitter.com/SRmlyZGhXF
— NWA (@nwa) March 16, 2020
As was mentioned by the NWA, Aldis reiterated that the goal is to try to come up with some original content in efforts to provide the fans with forms of entertainment. “Maybe for even if its just a short period of time every day that we can provide a little bit of escapism because that’s one of the great privileges of being a professional wrestler,” Aldis said before adding a personal note. “Please don’t panic. Please exercise caution but exercise common sense. Lets all get through this together. For now, lets just try to stay safe.”
Likely as a result of the CDC’s new recommendations, Game Changer Wrestling also announced on Monday, the postponement of their two upcoming shows on March 19th and 21st. “Our heart wants to move forward with these events, but our brain says otherwise,” GCW’s tweet read. “Our obligation to keep our fans safe is paramount & as such, this is our ONLY option.”
*PLEASE READ*
With sadness, we are *postponing* our 3/19 and 3/21 events in Cleveland & Detroit.
Our heart wants to move forward with these events, but our brain says otherwise.
Our obligation to keep our fans safe is paramount & as such, this is our ONLY option. pic.twitter.com/AvAJ18apc5
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) March 16, 2020
At this time, no announcement was made regarding the Collective, which a little over a week ago GCW announced was going to go on as planned regardless of WWE‘s decision (which certainly does not seem like their decision anymore) on the matter. That seems highly likely to change however given the new requirements and the constriction they put on companies’ abilities to have even a modest crowd in attendance.
As we continue to get updates on how the coronavirus will affect NWA, GCW and other wrestling companies, 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.
