WWE pushes back on masks, waivers
‘Social distancing guidelines were adhered to,’ a statement says.
WWE has shut down taping at its performance center in Orange County for at least one day after an unnamed developmental wrestler tested positive for COVID-19.
The company pushed back on a report from Wrestling Observer Radio stating fans in attendance for taping of shows Monday were not allowed to wear masks and signed liability waivers stating they were aware they were at risk of contracting coronavirus.
“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 in a statement released to the Orlando Sentinel Tuesday. “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.”
The company announced it is testing everyone at its facility after the positive test result. The wrestler was not featured in the NXT television series.
“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,” WWE associate medical director Jeffrey Dugas said in a 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.”
It is at least the second time a WWE staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, with an employee
previously diagnosed with the virus after WrestleMania was taped in Orlando without fans in April.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ coronavirus executive orders allow WWE to have fans in attendance for tapings whenever the company decides it is ready to host them, but use of masks is encouraged.
Orange County, where the WWE performance space is located, has seen a steady increase in daily COVID-19 cases and hospital beds in the area were at 80% capacity Sunday. As a result, Orange County officials are considering making mask use inside businesses mandatory.
WWE was scheduled to tape episodes of RAW and SmackDown airing next week on Tuesday, followed by taping two weeks of its NXT series on Wednesday, according to WrestlingInc.com. Wrestling Observer Radio reported WWE plans to resume taping on Wednesday and will shoot everything originally scheduled to be filmed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In April, DeSantis declared WWE an essential business and allowed it to stay open despite extensive coronavirus restrictions throughout the state. The designation allowed WWE to resume live cable-TV broadcasts and wrestling matches three nights a week from its Orlando training facility and Full Sail University.
WWE chairman Vince McMahon, a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, appealed for assistance allowing him to film shows without fans.
Both DeSantis and Trump said they were pleased to see WWE resume its shows and DeSantis soon after encouraged other sports to resume competition in Florida.
The Wrestling Observer reported in April WWE’s TV contracts mandate a certain number of live shows per year as opposed to prerecorded programs, which likely prompted McMahon to push to resume taping.