WWE managed to botch its first attempt at safely bringing back a non-Performance Center crowd for this week’s Raw taping, as news broke of an unidentified talent testing positive for COVID-19 following the show — which saw random fans mixed into the audience without masks, mingling with wrestlers.
At one point during the broadcast, Raw Tag Team Champions the Street Profits were shown on camera bypassing the protective plexiglass to dance with people in the audience. Some were PC trainees, others were friends and family of WWE employees who had been allowed to sit in the crowd. It marked the first time WWE had let people sit in for a broadcast since the coronavirus pandemic began, and a possible turning point for the company that now seems to have backfired completely following the news of a talent testing positive.
WWE ultimately had one job to do — integrate regular fans back slowly into the television audience, with as little risk as possible, in hopes of eventually getting things back to normal. But much like the recent reports that the state of Florida -- where the PC is located -- has seen a boost in COVID-19 cases since the state’s reopening, the wrestling giant may have acted too soon, especially in its decision to let wrestlers interact with some of those in attendance.
WWE talent, speaking anonymously, had already voiced their disapproval with WWE’s decision to continue tapings and live shows amid the pandemic following a positive test result back in April. So, the fact that it was revealed Tuesday that someone else tested positive — on the same day as the company first allowed non-employees to sit in for a taping — will likely not sit well with those same people. Nor will the rumors that WWE had deliberately barred those fans from wearing face masks at the event because it didn't want masks seen on camera, with WWE exec Kevin Dunn reportedly telling attendees "If you want to wear a mask, then you're not a fan."
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson spoke with several members of the WWE roster who said they were concerned with the latest test result and worried that they would eventually contract the coronavirus -- and possibly spread it to their family members. One person specifically told him that “this is exactly why Roman Reigns has stepped away” from in-ring action. The former WWE Champion hasn’t been seen on television since the start of the pandemic.
WWE reportedly tested its talent and employees for the very first time on Tuesday morning. The friends and family who attended Raw on Monday night all signed waivers and had their temperatures checked, according to WWE. But that means nothing now that we know another person within the company was sick. They were said to have tested positive on June 9.
As PWInsider points out, WWE has no way of being able to tell exactly who those new fans were around in the days and weeks leading up to the Raw taping or whether they interacted with the developmental PC talent that was said to have tested positive. To make matters worse, the friends and family members could have possibly contracted the virus from a WWE employee or talent who had yet to be tested. One source told PWInsider that WWE did not tell them about the added fans before the event.
WWE released a statement on the family and friends being in attendance, saying: “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." But the segment with the Street Profits shows that WWE botched this completely. Perhaps the people in the back had no idea the tag team was going to bring back its dance in the crowd routine? Unlikely.
WWE has temporarily halted production to conduct the COVID testing. It said that following the test results, the company “plans to proceed with its normal television production schedule.” Unlike its broadcast rival AEW, WWE never required its talent to undergo coronavirus testing. Employees were previously only required to have their temperature checked and monitored for symptoms.
WWE’s COO Paul “Triple H” Levesque explained during a media call that the company had “medical experts” on its team working with the CDC and the government “to determine what is the best approach to take to ensure the safety and wellness of our performers.” Levesque said “When you begin to talk about various types of testing, the accuracy of those tests become questionable.”
Several members of the WWE roster told PWInsider that it felt the company needed to do more to communicate what’s going on and protect its employees -- and it’s true. The past few days shouldn’t have come as a shock to the talent. There should have been more transparency and a willingness to pump the brakes on the added fans. The situation in Florida, where WWE is taping its shows, should serve as proof of what happens when you rush into things in the wake of corona.