CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — We know the pandemic has put and end to most spring sports in the Coastal Bend. However, one local wrestling group continues to keep a positive outlook.
Gulf Coast Wrestling Alliance has been putting on shows and entertaining the city of Corpus Christi for over 20 years. The organization has been a family owned and operated business.
"We're a big ol wrestling family," owner Ben Galvan said. This all started thanks to his father, who was a wrestler in the 80's, and was known as the "godfather of wrestling," in Corpus Christi.
The sport has turned into a family tradition now with three generations of wrestlers
"Me and my older brother got into wrestling when we were about 16-15, " Galvan said. "We wrestled for many years. Now our kids [are wrestling] so now we're in the third generation of wrestlers."
The coronavirus pandemic has affected their business. From the wrestlers who work hard to put on shows, to those who work behind the scenes to put the show together, the venues, and everyone in between.
'We're another part of entertainment in Corpus," Galvan said. "So, it's one more less thing the community can do that's taken away. But on the other side of that what people don't understand is there are thousands and thousands of independent wrestlers that rely on companies just like ours to run shows every single week."
Galvan and his business partner Jeff Trevino, both wrestlers at GWCA, who have become family over the years, are not letting the negatives affect their positive attitude. The duo has gone from being in the ring to running the business. Their passion is what keeps them hopeful knowing that they will get through this.
"We're gonna come back pretty strong," Galvan added. "I know the level that myself and my partner are at and I know the passion that we both have for this and when I say this I don't just mean the wrestling. I mean Corpus. What we provide for Corpus, we stand at the door and every single person that passes us thanks us for the entertainment and that alone man is worth everything."
Despite the hard times and challenges the pandemic has thrown their way, they're ready to come back stronger than ever.
For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.
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