Coronavirus Updates: UFC, USA Wrestling, AEW, GCW, WWN, WrestleCon, NJPW, & More Indies

Mar 17, 2020

UFC Announces Cancellation of Events and Closure of Offices

UFC reportedly has cancelled their next three events and shut down their offices until the end of March, according to Post Wrestling.

John Pollock reported that UFC President Dana White sent an email to employees on Monday stating that the company’s March 21st, March 28th, and April 11th events have been cancelled due to coronavirus issues. UFC reportedly had been planning to hold their March 21st event at the FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma but cancelled those plans following a recent government recommendation against public gatherings of more than ten people.

White’s email also stated that the company’s offices would be closed until the end of this month for health safety reasons.

Portion of UFC President White’s email (via MMA Junkie):

So many people have reached out over the past few days to say thanks for not canceling our Brasilia event on Saturday. When weird things happen in the world, or when there’s a tragedy, like the October 1 shooting, people want things to get back to normal, and nothing feels more normal than watching sports.

We did everything we could to relocate our next three events– London, Columbus, and Portland. But every day, there are new restrictions put in place on travel and large public gatherings that are making it impossible to stay on schedule. We can’t even hold an event in Vegas, our home town, because there’s a ban on all combat sports events in Nevada until at least March 25.

As you heard me say, I’ve been in the fight game for 20 years, and this is what we do—we find a way to keep our events going no matter what. If fighters miss weight, if fighters get hurt, or if states won’t regulate us, we figure out a way. But this is different. The whole world is being affected right now, and nothing is more important than the health and safety of you and your families.

USA Wrestling Postpones All National Events Until Late April

USA Wrestling announced that they have postponed all national amateur wrestling events until April 20th due to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States.

The organization announced that this includes both the final Olympic 2020 qualifier trials and Olympic 2020 team trials, which had been scheduled to take place on March 28-29 and April 4-5 in Pennsylvania.

AEW’s Chris Jericho and Cody Holding Coronavirus Fundraiser

AEW’s Chris Jericho and Cody Rhodes announced that they are currently holding a charity fundraiser on ProWrestlingTees.com with all proceeds generated going towards the United Way and World Health Organization.

The United Way has set up a fund benefiting victims/those affected by COVID-19

All profits from the sales of this shirt go to that fund #aew https://t.co/i97frjV0fw 💯% pic.twitter.com/CaNef39LR4

— Cody (@CodyRhodes) March 16, 2020

View this post on Instagram

These are tough times, but I have a few simple rules for all of you to follow to stay safe! Pick up the new #RulesOfJericho shirt at @prowrestlingtees and ALL PROCEEDS will be donated to the @who to fight the #CoronaVirus! #LeChampion #ShutYourAss #worldhealthorganization (design by @wearethealtar)

A post shared by Chris Jericho (@chrisjerichofozzy) on Mar 16, 2020 at 2:14pm PDT

GCW Announces Postponement of The Collective Events

Game Changer Wrestling announced that they have postponed their The Collective series of events, which had been scheduled to take place during WrestleMania 36 weekend in Tampa, Florida. GCW also announced that they will be offering refunds for all those who request it but are hoping most will keep their tickets for the rescheduled dates to be announced in the future.

Events affected included Joey Janela’s Spring Break IV, Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport III, and Effy’s Big Gay Brunch.

On behalf of The Collective: pic.twitter.com/vIkgOvqZ0R

— TheCollective2020 (@collective2020) March 17, 2020

WWN Postpones All of Their WrestleMania 36 Week Events

World Wrestling Network announced that they have indefinitely postponed their WRESTLExpo series of events, which had been scheduled to take place during WrestleMania 36 week in Tampa, Florida.

Events affected included WWN SuperShow 2020 and EVOLVE 150.

Official press statement:

WRESTLExpo Postponed

With a heavy heart, we must inform you that all WRESTLExpo events have been postponed indefinitely.
WWN is a small business. We have been hit hard by the current climate. We ask for your patience as we work out ticket refunds and other options. We will contract ticket holders over the next few weeks. In the meantime, you can contact us at Help@WWNLive.com for assistance.

We have tens of thousands of dollars in deposits and other expenses we are currently trying to recover. As we recover this, we will issue refunds. It is the best we can do. We understand your frustration and need for a refund. We will eventually make you whole and do right for you. We are humbly asking for some time.
We only survive because of your support. WWN has produced over 600 events since 2002. Your support has resulted in thousands of wrestlers having a platform to launch and enhance their career. Your support has put money directly into all these talenta’ pockets. We were only able to do this because of you. Now we need your support in another way- patience.

Thank you while you wait until we are able to remedy this situation. We are all in the WWN Family together. We will make things right with you.

We will persevere. We will adapt. We will be stronger.

WrestleCon Announces Cancellation of WrestleCon 2020

WrestleCon announced that they have officially cancelled this year’s WrestleCon convention following WWE’s announcement of WrestleMania 36 being moved to their Performance Center.

The company stated that WWE announcing their decision before the city of Tampa made the official decision ended up causing a contractual issue with their host venue, Marriott Hotels. It was also stated that due to the company not having cancellation insurance for WrestleCon 2020, Marriott officials had demanded over $100,000 in hotel fees before eventually backing down.

Thanks for asking Peter. Unfortunately Mania cancelling before the city or state actually puts us in a bad situation with our venues. pic.twitter.com/tm6tb7l75o

— WrestleCon (@wrestlecon) March 16, 2020

5:46pm update. Thanks to Marriott Westshore for agreeing to honor the Force Majeure clause and not holding either our guests or WC responsible for the liquidated damages. The Emergency Declaration by Gov DeSantis to cancel events over the next 30 days was a major factor.

— WrestleCon (@wrestlecon) March 17, 2020

NJPW Cancels Lion’s Break Project 3 Event

New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that they have officially cancelled their Lion’s Break Project 3 event due to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States.

This event had originally been scheduled to take place on April 2nd in Tampa, Florida

Lion's Break Project 3, which was scheduled to take place in Tampa, FL on April 2, has been cancelled.

Details: https://t.co/o6kDukjSkq #njbreak #NJoA pic.twitter.com/HTChlCg0LC

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) March 17, 2020

Upcoming Indie Events Impacted by Coronavirus

The following indie events have been canceled or impacted by the coronavirus:

Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling announced that their Coming to America with DDT event on April 3rd in Tampa, Florida has been officially cancelled.
Absolute Intense Wrestling announced that they have cancelled all of their events in Ohio for the remainder of March.
SHIMMER announced that they have postponed their March 28th and March 29th events in Berwyn, Illinois.
RISE Wrestling announced that they have postponed their March 27th event in Berwyn, Illinois.
Beyond Wrestling announced that they have cancelled their Big Balls event on April 5th in Tampa, Florida.
Ethan Page announced that Alpha-1 Wrestling’s March 22nd event in Hamilton, Canada has been cancelled due to a recent ban by the host venue.
Westside Xtreme Wrestling reportedly has shut down their office in Germany and advised all staff to work from their homes, according to PWInsider. It was also reported that wXw also closed their Wrestling Academy until April 19th.
Freelance Wrestling recently announced that they will be holding weekly events to help support indie wrestlers affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the United States. The first event will take place on March 21st and air live on IndependentWrestling.TV. WWE’s Ali announced on Twitter that he will be donating to cover all talent costs for Freelance Wrestling’s first event.