A WWE developmental wrestler who was at the wrestling company’s training centre in Orlando last Tuesday has tested positive for coronavirus.
As a result, WWE cancelled its Tuesday television tapings and will test all talent and on-site employees for COVID-19. This will, astoundingly, mark the first coronavirus tests WWE has conducted, according to the Wrestling Observer.
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“A developmental talent, who was last on site at WWE’s training facility on Tuesday, June 9, has tested positive for COVID-19,” WWE associate medical director Dr. Jeffrey Dugas said in a statement Monday night.
“Since that time, no other individuals that attended the facility have reported symptoms. 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.”
This is WWE’s second publicly known case of coronavirus. An on-screen talent who is not a wrestler tested positive in April.
WWE said at the time the employee became symptomatic after exposure to two health care professionals and had no contact with anyone within the company. The person fully recovered.
WWE has been running weekly shows from its training centre for roughly three months amid the pandemic. The company was running the shows without fans, but recently had some of its developmental wrestlers situated around the ring behind hockey-style glass. The Wrestling Observer reported that WWE didn’t allow anyone ringside during Monday’s Raw tapings to wear masks. WWE denied the report.
“Fans have not been in attendance at WWE events since March 13. Yesterday, a select number of friends and family were permitted to attend WWE’s TV production,” WWE said Tuesday in a statement. “These individuals were required to participate in medical screenings prior to entering the closed set at our training facility, and were kept apart from in-ring performers and production personnel. Attendance was below 20% capacity and social distancing guidelines were adhered to with at least six feet between parties, thus face masks were not required.”
This story originally appeared on NY Post and is reproduced with permission.