Multiple Japanese promotions returning to live shows
The reason several Japanese companies are returning to live shows with fans this week is that at yesterday’s government meeting with experts on the coronavirus, the doctors reported that the virus spreading has now been limited to three parts of Japan.
In the rest of Japan, each prefectures (states) governors are to use their discretion, but the belief is that isolationism will be ending and that schools will be reopened and sports and entertainment events will be allowed. They still warned against large gatherings in small enclosed areas.
Parts of Tokyo are one of the three regions but not the entire city, along with places in prefectures of Aichi, whose main city is Nagoya, and Hyogo, whose main city is Kobe.
Stardom, Dragon Gate, and DDT will all be running shows in the next few days. New Japan, which was hoping to resume action on March 31 at Sumo Hall, has not made an announcement.
Dragon Gate will be running on Sunday in Kobe for its first show back. Stardom will be running Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.