In 1999, at the then-WWF (World Wrestling Federation, prior to the name and anagram change to World Wrestling Entertainment and WWE as a result of a lawsuit with the World Wildlife Fund) — pay-per-view event titled Over the Edge, wrestler Owen Hart, 34, died following a stunt from the rafters gone wrong.

It was an accident … though the show, most controversially, went on.

“This is not part of the show. I don’t know any other way to put it. This is not a wrestling angle.” — Jim Ross, announcer

Ten minutes later, the next match on the card took place.

Numerous pro wrestlers have passed at an untimely age over the years while still under contract to WWF/WWE, and other leagues. Many have allegedly resulted from complications of drug use. Several have committed suicide.

Some were personal friends of mine.

The point is pro wrestlers work many if not most days out of a week, including weekends, with no off-season. They take their bumps, then travel to the next town or country and repeat the cycle. Those who have done drugs to keep up with the frequently insane schedule, and those who have not, presently face WWE’s Wellness program, a supposed no-tolerance policy implemented in 2006 with a three strikes rule prior to termination.

(It should also be noted, in fairness, that WWE maintains a program to pay for current and former performers’ rehab when requested.)

The schedule and physical havoc on their bodies is why these performers by and large are quick to anger when confronted with accusations of their form of entertainment being “fake.”

In truth, it’s an old argument that no longer matters, and has not for some time. Kayfabe, the wrestling code of secrecy, is long dead. The performers openly discuss angles, writers, and behind the scenes machinations as to who wins and loses. Some call their matches on the fly based on the promoter’s word as to who is going over. Others rehearse exhaustively. Little of this matters, however. The bumps are all too real, and risky.

There is no fake blood in this business. When a promoter wants color the wrestlers cut themselves with razor blades. This barbaric practice is largely discouraged today, but has not disappeared completely.

And so the question remains: Considering all of the above, why has Vince appeared to play Russian Roulette with his performers in the midst of the novel coronavirus?