Tama Tonga couldn't be prouder of how New Japan Pro-Wrestling is handling the Coronavirus outbreak.
While WWE and AEW are continuing to run fanless events, NJPW has ceased all events and is continuing to pay its talent and staff.
Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Tama Tonga discussed the cultural differences between America and Japan and how NJPW is like a family.
“It’s a different culture in Japan, a lot different from ‘the show must go on’ mindset,” said Tonga. “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.”
He continued, “New Japan does its best to look out for the entire wrestling scene in Japan. Even Tanahashi going in front of [the] government, that may surprise people in wrestling, but it doesn’t surprise us. He really is our leader. You can see that unity in our roster, too. Our guys go from young to old. This isn’t a factory of young guys that get chopped up and spit out. The mindset around wrestling is different in Japan.”
You can read the full interview at this link.
