On Monday, the state of Florida added another name to the list of essential businesses: World Wrestling Entertainment. This allows them to resume live shows. They have been airing taped programming over the past few weeks. This also poses a legitimate question: Should WWE or professional wrestling in general be considered an essential business?
According to a spokesperson from the office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, WWE is now listed as essential, “Because they are critical to Florida’s economy.” In addition, WWE released their own statement, “We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times.”
WWE has three shows they air on a weekly basis. They are Monday Night RAW that airs on USA, NXT on Wednesdays also airing on USA, and Friday Night SmackDown that airs on FOX.
Writer’s Take
I am a big wrestling fan myself. I have been to multiple live shows, house shows, and pay-per-views alike. In fact, I have tickets to Monday Night RAW in Cleveland, Ohio on September 28th. That show was originally Friday Night SmackDown on April 17th. That event was cancelled due to COVID-19, and moved to the Monday, September date. Tickets purchased will still be honored for the future date, which is a really nice gesture. I now will not have to go through the refund process and then re-purchase new tickets.
Here is my personal opinion, which tends to be like a certain part of the human anatomy. I tried to come up with logical reasoning why professional wrestling is seen as essential. The wrestlers are up close with each other a lot more than any other sport outside of MMA or boxing. I did very poorly. Even with the highest level of testing they can do at their entrance, I still cannot see it.
Also, in regards to the quote from the spokesperson of the Florida Governor, I fail to see how the business is critical to the economy. There will be zero fans in attendance, which leads me to another discussion point. If it isn’t safe for fans to attend the event, how is it safe for the actual participants?
In summary, I personally do not see WWE as an essential business. I say that as an unbiased fan. Perhaps if someone cares to share any insight they may have on the subject, they (and you also) can follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/TonySutcliffe6. Also be sure to follow us at https://twitter.com/BellyUpSports. Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/BellyUpSports/, give us a like! Come check out our other articles or we will come find you!!
