New Japan Pro Wrestling chairman Naoki Sugabayashi spoke with the NJPW press earlier today to provide an update on the promotion’s COVID-19 safety protocols and revealed that they have had zero cases of the virus since returning back in July. Full statement is below.
We had planned to announce some of the card for Varsan presents Wrestle Kingdom 15 here today, but we would like to take the results of the past 24 hours into careful consideration and make an announcement at a later time. I would also like to deliver the following information.
Since July 11 2020, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has staged 54 live events in front of a combined paying crowd of 72,706. Thanks to our guidelines and the efforts of our fans to adhere to them, we have had zero COVID-19 cases arising as a result of any of our live events. For adhering to masks, temperature checks, and using applause in place of raised voices, I want to once again deeply thank our fans, and our staff members and wrestlers for their part in acting as representatives.
We understand the importance and power of professional wrestling in times such as these more than ever, and will continue to follow our COVID-19 policy, developed in close parallel with advice from the government’s sporting authority, in bringing live events including Wrestle Kingdom 15, across Japan. We can be doing everything within our power to welcome you warmly and safely to NJPW events.’
