Pro wrestling News: Indie promotion shuts down days before event; leaves talent and fans stranded

What's the story?

While there's more money to be made on the independent pro wrestling scene than ever before, it certainly comes with risks.

That was put into sharp relief today as Austin, TX-based promotion WrestleCircus closed down shop for good, a mere few days before a huge scheduled event.

The Scorpio Sky Summer Circus Show - which was to feature matches such as JT Dunn vs Brian Pillman Jr., Tessa Blanchard vs Jessika Havok, and Sami Callihan vs Daga - was schedule to take place on June 28th in downtown, Austin. However, instead, the show has been cancelled and the company is now closed.

In case you didn't know...

WrestleCircus was founded in Austin in 2017 by Al Lenhart with a pretty amazing debut card, featuring former WWE star Davey Boy Smith, Jr., current AEW wrestlers Chuck Taylor and Adam Page, and Internet sweetheart Jervis Cottonbelly.

In 2018, the company had shut down for a number of issues, but Lenhart had managed to bring the promotion back - against the advice of colleagues and family members.

WrestleCircus is also notable for being one of the first wrestling companies to utilize the streaming service Twitch to broadcast their product.

The heart of the matter

After informing the talent, the official WrestleCircus Twitter account posted the following:

July 28th show cancelled... WrestleCircus closes for good. pic.twitter.com/4R4n9buke7
— WrestleCircus - Next Show: July 28th (@WrestleCircus) July 26, 2019

In the statement, Lenhart, took full responsibility for the closing, promised refunds for everyone who purchased a ticket and, in the aforementioned message to talent, offered to help any wrestlers who need travel help that he would do "everything [he] could do to make sure [the wrestlers] aren't paying out of pocket to get home." (h/t to Flagged Sports for this)

Co-founder of the promotion, Jordan Lenhart. and his wife, Mindy, also released their own statements.

Please read pic.twitter.com/q8pOMWd0vi
— 💪CRUISER.KONG💪 (@JordanLenX) July 26, 2019

A statement regarding @WrestleCircus
PLEASE READ AND RT. pic.twitter.com/2pY01wUmOq
— Mindy Lenhart (@mindylenhart) July 26, 2019

While this is seriously depressing news, the local wrestling community has been coming together as best they can to help everyone involved.

For any fans who were attending the #WrestleCircus show this weekend -

Go to https://t.co/nvZ3lad7hE & use coupon code CIRCUS - you can watch any show on our platform FREE for the next 2 weeks https://t.co/1IEF8mAtE4
— TitleMatchNetwork.com (@TitleMatchWN) July 25, 2019

If any fans flew in from another state to watch some wrestling in Austin on Sunday& that show got canceled. Bring a copy of your boarding pass & you can come to Anarchy Championship Wrestling free of charge. We love & appreciate your love for the sport. https://t.co/ogTOAY4ARP
— Anarchy Wrestling (@ACWwrestling) July 25, 2019

If you had tickets to the cancelled Wrestle Circus show, email proof of purchase to beyondwrestling@gmail.com & I'll get you set up with an @indiewrestling account so you can stream #Americanrana19 for free on Sunday.

🚨 AND LET'S MAKE SURE SHIT LIKE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. 🚨
— Beyond Wrestling (@beyondwrestling) July 25, 2019

What's next?

Hopefully, anybody planning on travelling to the Austin area (where I'm from) for this event who hasn't left yet can cancel their arrangements. There are also a number of promotions in the area that can, hopefully, book the talent now without gigs for some sort of appearance. We send all our best to everyone booked to perform there this weekend.