The WWE Universe were infuriated by a reference to the COVID-19 pandemic during this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown.
On the show, Sheamus pulled out of a match with Drew McIntyre, pretending to be sick and saying he has “the old COVID.”
Sheamus and McIntyre were scheduled to face off to determine the challenger for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Clash at the Castle.
Given the seriousness of COVID-19, many fans found it incredibly distasteful to reference the disease.
COVID-19 has resulted in 6.35 million deaths around the world, with many more expected to have gone unreported.
An estimated 1.02 million deaths have happened due to COVID-19 in the U.S. alone.
You can check out some of the responses below.
#SmackDown that might be an all time low point for @WWE and @WWEonFOX its disgusting to make fun of and pretend to have Covid.
— Emilie Heath (@Emilie_Heath) July 9, 2022
Whoever thought of putting COVID into this segment needs to get their job terminated! Millions of people lost their lives and we are still dealing with it today. Very disturbing and distasteful! #SmackDown https://t.co/BQCe516IHX
— Christina Rivera 💚💙 (@Diva_Christina) July 9, 2022
They are really playing about Covid now? No standards… smh #SmackDown
— Adidas Sweatpants (@highiimcaleb) July 9, 2022
Am I the only person a little hot at WWE using "COVID" in storyline one…then having it nix an advertised main event? #SmackDown
— Joseph Staszewski (@Joe_Staszewski) July 9, 2022
WWE false advertising a match the entire night and using Covid for heat, wtf are we doing #SmackDown
— Armadillo (@Big_Armadillo_) July 9, 2022
Making fun of COVID isn't funny… #SmackDown
— Matt Black (@RAWFShowtime) July 9, 2022
