Former WWE superstar and MLW regular, Savio Vega, has shown skepticism in the return of wrestling to Puerto Rico. Vegas, who owns IWA PR, the former big promotion, popularized in the 2000s, is worried about the health risk that the COVID-19 pandemic represents.
Since 2019, the International Wrestling Association returned to wrestling. The first shows were a tour of nostalgia, featuring some of the biggest stars that formed IWA PR, like El Mesias, Apolo, Shane the Glamour Boy, Slash Venom, among others. After the nostalgia run, the company started to decline year again, featuring a mix of IWA PR veterans and the hottest heel group in the island, Puro Macho. This decision put IWA PR in a fragile state.
In 2020, IWA PR joined forces with World Wrestling Council. WWC is now commanded by the former WWE Tag Team Champions, Primo, and Epico Colon. The alliance created great hype around the island, drawing 1,000 fans to their Histeria Boricua show.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the show that was supposed to feature both companies in one show, headlined by WWC wrestlers was canceled.
Savio Vega is really hesitant for a return of wrestling. Even when the Department of Sports and Recreation of Puerto Rico approved a return for August 1, Vega showed skepticism. He attacked a clandestine show that took place during the pandemic:
Greetings: Some photos came out where a Lucha Libre card is held. And they tell me that when we are going to return to wrestling. And there are people who think about what happened in the photos, it is seen that many did not take care of themselves. And since this virus started. I said that I do not want Lucha Libre to be one or another place where the disease spreads… Ahh that they did it in the perfect open-air, they have 3 chocolates. But this has not stopped. I want to protect my family as well as the relatives of the wrestlers and much more, the fans. When we are ready they will know. Meanwhile to the boys who take a risk, there is no need to make it the fever of wrestling, and jumping into the abyss of a ring is not going to do the same as the fever that it will give you if the virus is caught by anyone as irresponsible. Take care Uncle Savio Vega Bless you !!! #iwapuertorico
Vega is watching carefully the news about the pandemic and has said that returning now will be like playing Russian roulette. He’s planning to return with IWA PR but is waiting to see what is the best approach. As he said in an interview with Wrestling Empire, “it only takes one person to be infected to spread the virus.”
