In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, New Japan Pro Wrestling superstar Tama Tonga discussed several topics, including how New Japan Pro Wrestling, All Elite Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment have approached working during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

“There is a different sense of unity in Japan. Here in America, the show must go on, money needs to come in, so the wrestlers are still wrestling. New Japan stopped holding shows, that’s not just for the safety of the fans, but it’s also for the health of the wrestlers.

It’s a different culture in Japan, a lot different from ‘the show must go on’ mindset, the majority of our income comes from live shows, which has been cut out, but the company has held onto the staff and reassured us that no one will be let go, the company is more of a family in Japan.”