Mexican wrestlers refuse to yield to their greatest foe, COVID-19
Given the pandemic and the cancelation of their matches, professional wrestlers have had to find other sources of income.
Some have gone into food sales while others taken on jobs as drivers.
“My life changed completely. I had been in this business for such a long time, but the pandemic forced us all to take a break, so I began to drive for Uber,” said Halcon Rojo — a now-retired wrestler from Kanasin — in an interview with Por Esto.
Octagón, one of the most famous wrestlers in Mexico, and boxer Jackie Nava have launched a program called Un Golpe de Ayuda — A Hit of Help — to aid their fellow modern gladiators and their support staff through this unprecedented emergency.
Some wrestling matches have begun to be held once again, but now with few to no spectators in the stands. Event organizers have found it difficult to monetize events through digital platforms.
But now, finally, there is some good news. Mexico’s tourism authority and AAA wrestling have come to an agreement through which wrestling matches will begin to be held outdoors in select pueblos magicos starting in late February.
“It will certainly be different from anything we have done before in wrestling arenas or gymnasiums. This time we will be doing what we love in some of the country’s most beautiful locations, and best of all with an audience,” said Dorian Roldán, general director of AAA wrestling México.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer, adventure leader, and PhD candidate. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
