Another WWE performer tests positive for COVID-19.
WWE has confirmed that a developmental talent, who was last at the Performance Center on June 9, has tested positive for COVID-19. No other individuals have reported symptoms. All talent, production crew and employees who were on-site will now be tested immediately as WWE plans to proceed with a normal schedule. Ryan Satin of WWE Backstage was the first to report the news.
WWE issued the following statement on the matter:
“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. 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.”
While WWE's statement says the company will proceed with its normal television production schedule, The Wrestling Observer reports WWE has canceled its taping on Tuesday to test everyone for the virus.
Developmental talent/NXT roster members and Performance Center recruits have been used as ringside fans for WWE television events in recent weeks. Satin notes that the positive test is a Performance Center recruit and not someone on the NXT roster.
This would mark the second confirmed positive test for COVID-19 in WWE.
Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp noted that the talent that he's spoken to didn't know about the test before the word emerged online. Last time, WWE talent was informed via an internal talent relations app.
Fightful reported in April that a WWE talent had tested positive for COVID-19. The performer was pulled from events and had no contact with anyone from WWE from the time of exposure. The person has since made a full recovery and returned to work.
WWE had been doing temperature checks for talent entering the building. On a conference call, Triple H defended WWE's measures, saying they were doing what was asked of them. You can find his full comments by clicking here.
Fightful will continue to update fans on this story if more information is known.
