WWE halts production after wrestler tests positive for COVID-19
World Wrestling Entertainment has temporarily suspended television production at its Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, after a developmental wrestler tested positive for COVID-19.
The wrestler, who was not named, was last at the Performance Center on June 9. In a statement, WWE associate medical director Dr. Jeffrey Dugas said that no other individuals have reported any symptoms, but production will be halted so everyone involved can be tested.
“A developmental talent, who was last on site at WWE’s training facility on Tuesday, June 9, has tested positive for COVID-19. Since that time, no other individuals that attended the facility have reported symptoms,” Dugas said in the WWE’s statement.
“However, out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the health and safety of the company's performers and staff, all talent, production crew and employees on site at the training and production facilities will be tested for COVID-19 immediately. Following the test results, WWE plans to proceed with its normal television production schedule”
Dean Muhtadi, who goes by Mojo Rawley in WWE, tweeted about his own COVID-19 test on Tuesday morning.
Precautionary #COVID19 testing! Gotta make sure we’re healthy and safe to entertain the globe every week!
I’m telling you, this test is really not bad at all! No pain, just a weird feeling! So don’t hesitate in case you need to take your test! #StaySafe #StayHYPED pic.twitter.com/sx3ib3f5yB— Dean Muhtadi (@MojoRawleyWWE) June 16, 2020
Since WWE’s training facility is located in Florida, they’ve been able to continue producing television programs during the widespread shutdown driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis decided in mid-April that the WWE and other sports, entertainment and media were all essential businesses that could continue operating despite statewide stay-at-home orders.
Recently, WWE started having developmental talent appear ringside as audience members. They’ve been separated from the wrestlers with a large pane of plexiglass, similar to a hockey arena. According to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, the WWE would not allow anyone to wear masks.
On top of nobody finding out about the COVID failure until it hit social media, I was told by multiple sources that WWE would not allow anyone in the crowd at the RAW taping Monday to wear masks.
— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) June 16, 2020
The Wrestling Observer also reported that these COVID-19 tests would be the first that the WWE has done. An employee identified as on-screen talent tested positive in April, but the WWE said that the individual had no contact with any WWE employees or wrestlers after being exposed to the virus by two healthcare workers. They considered the situation to be “low risk” and did not initiate employee or wrestler testing.
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