Various: NJPW & Stardom to Resume Live Events, Wrestling in Florida Status Update, Indies

Bushiroad Planning to Resume Live Events for NJPW and Stardom

New Japan Pro Wrestling and Stardom’s parent company, Bushiroad, announced that they are currently working on plans for both promotions to resume live events within the near future.

In an official press release, the company stated that this decision was made following the government of Japan recently announcing that they would be lifting their emergency orders across the country for the coronavirus pandemic.

Official press release (English translation via PostWrestling.com):

Bushiroad Co., Ltd. has canceled and postponed many events from February in consideration of the situation of new coronavirus infection. With the cancellation of the emergency declaration, we have decided to restart live events such as professional wrestling, stage performances, and live music performances, and have decided to carry out antibody tests for all athletes and performers for safety and security. [We] will inform you.

For all live events such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling performances, STARDOM performances, theatrical group airship performances, and Bushiroad Music live performances, a doctor will perform an antibody test in advance for all players and performers as well as staff members who are closely related.

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Florida Entering Next Phase of Re-Opening & Current Status of State’s Coronavirus Situation

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced in a press conference on Wednesday that the state will be entering phase two of their reopening plans starting on Friday.

Phase two includes the ability for entertainment businesses to reopen and resume live events at a maximum 50 percent attendance capacity.

I’m pleased to announce that the Original Phase 1 Florida counties (all except Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach) may enter Phase 2 effective Friday, June 5, 2020. pic.twitter.com/ChEINqYW1W

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 3, 2020

In regards to the current situation with coronavirus pandemic within the state, the Florida Department of Health announced this past Wednesday that the state saw its largest jump of confirmed coronavirus cases in a day since April 17th. The Hill reported that one possible factor for the increase in positive cases is due to recent testing for the coronavirus also increasing within the state.

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Major League Wrestling announced that they have postponed and rescheduled their July 16th event in New York City, New York and their July 18th event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania due to coronavirus-related issues. Their event in Philadelphia will now be taking place on December 5th while their event in New York City will now be taking place on February 4, 2021.

Game Changer Wrestling announced that they have postponed their planned August tour of the United Kingdom due to coronavirus-related issues. This co-promoted tour with TNT Extreme Wrestling was originally scheduled to take place from August 27-29 in Liverpool, England.

Dragon Gate announced that they have cancelled all of their events scheduled for the remainder of June due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic in Japan.

During a recent interview with WhatCulture Wrestling, Eli Drake revealed that he recently signed a new contract with the National Wrestling Alliance.

“My current deal, I think my current deal is supposed to — I started the end of June last year? And it was a one-year deal but we recently just signed a new one. I’ll be there at least for the next year.”