UPDATE: We reported several weeks ago here on eWn that numerous WWE talents expressed concern about the lack of communication from WWE as it pertained to the COVID-19 pandemic and the testing being done. For quite some time, WWE had only been doing temperature checks. That changed last week when they finally began doing nose swab tests instead. But with those tests, WWE decided to allow “family and friends” of the WWE talent and staff into the arena. As you’d expect, that didn’t go over well at all. For what it’s worth, AEW has been doing the actual COVID-19 tests (nose swabs) for months now.
With the reports today, many talent are extremely angry as you’d expect. Florida is currently a hotspot for COVID-19 and many of the WWE Superstars & staff could bring the COVID-19 virus home with them to their family members, including children. According to the Associated Press, Florida cases for the coronavirus shot up today to 5,500 people, shattering the previous one-day record of cases, and it’s about triple the level it was two weeks ago.
Also, 132 Orlando Airport employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Many WWE employees and wrestlers use the Orlando airport to fly in and out if they don’t live in the state.
As of now, WWE is scheduled to hold their TV tapings on Friday and Saturday but we’ll have to wait and see if that changes.
WWE has not yet responded to multiple requests for comment.
ORIGINAL: As we reported earlier today here on eWn, several WWE talents have tested positive for COVID-19. The talent includes in-ring Superstars, production staff, and others.
WWE began emailing talents and staff on Monday and advised them that there had been a new COVID-19 positive test result. They encouraged their talent to continue getting tested for COVID-19. The talents were not all contacted at the same time. Following the original email, multiple positive tests have come out following a new round of tests.
According to Pwinsider.com, one source believes the number of positive tests is in the “two dozen range”. Those numbers are not confirmed as of this writing but we know that numerous WWE employees have tested positive this week.
As far as the TV tapings on Friday and Saturday are concerned, they are said to be up in the air at this point. Anyone working the tapings, if they go through with them, will be required to take a nose swab. Also, Friday’s SmackDown will likely need to be re-written. WWE will also not be allowing anymore “friends and family” at their TV tapings.
Stay tuned for more on this developing story …..
