President of Mexico City Wrestling El Fantasma and Mexican Health Secretary Dr. Armando Ahued Ortega have signed a historic agreement that could change the entire professional wrestling industry in Mexico. Now, all pro wrestlers (and their families) in Mexico will now be covered by a medical social insurance program.

Mexican Health Secretary Dr. Armando Ahued Ortega stated, via Fightnetwork.com:

“I am big fan of wrestling, I think this is an intense but also a risky sport. The knocks and blows affect them bit by bit, so it is very so important for them being covered by free.”

Dr. Ahued said that this insurance will provide wrestlers and their families access to clinics and hospitals and medical testing procedures, such as x-rays, MRIs, surgery, lab studies, and medical attention.

El Fantasma was ecstatic with the news:

For me, the most important factor is the physical integrity and well being of our colleagues. This is a great achievement we have been looking for since wrestling’s inception. Thank God it has finally happened.

The program is estimated to cover roughly 5000 workers and their families. This is amazing and incredible news, as in this country (America, in case you were wondering) pro wrestlers who work for billion dollar American company aren’t provided basic health insurance, PLUS independent wrestlers have to cover their own (and often can’t and don’t). It’s not secret that the in-ring work  is dangerous and a lot of talent wind up losing their careers due to ignoring and/or working through injuries they probably shouldn’t be since many are unable to afford to get these issues taken care of.

As a fan (and former wrestling trainee) we can hope that this leads to setting a better precedent, because just because some things in wrestling have always been this way, it doesn’t have to remain as such.