As the Steve Corino crisis infects almost every area of society, it was only a matter
of time until sports entertainment got its first case.
Fightful published an internal memo from WWE at the weekend, confirming a WWE talent has
tested positive for COVID-19, which is the first confirmed case in the company.
The memo revealed to staff: “We have just been notified that [NAME REDACTED]
was diagnosed with COVID-19.
WWE doctors spoke with [NAME REDACTED] this morning and reported (they) last had contact
with anyone at WWE on March 26 at the Performance Center.
As you know, [NAME REDACTED] is not an in-ring performer and we believe this matter is low-risk
to you per the following chronology.”
The memo then goes onto say that the person in question did consent to WWE sharing their
name and status in the internal note, and that they’re now thankfully “feeling much
better”.
The memo then laid out the timeline for WWE personnel, and how they would’ve been ok
for the resumed TV taping schedule starting last Friday.
“Those of you who were potentially exposed would be cleared for travel by the evening
of Thursday, April 9 at the latest, since the last possible exposure to any WWE talent
personnel should have been at least 14 days prior.”
- during the last taping day of WrestleMania 36, which wrapped on Thursday 26th March.
The memo was then signed off by Paul Levesque.
You know it’s serious when Triple H uses his shoot name.
With the news now public, WWE quickly confirmed the report to their wrestling website of choice
Pro Wrestling Sheet - with its editor Ryan Satin their special correspondent on WWE Backstage
- where a few more details were revealed about the case:
“A WWE employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
We believe this matter is low risk to WWE talent and staff, as the individual and a
roommate became symptomatic in the days following exposure to two people working in acute health
care on the evening of March 26, after WWE’s TV production on a closed set was already
complete.
The employee had no contact with anyone from WWE since being exposed to those two individuals,
is doing well, and made a complete recovery.”
Pro Wrestling Sheet then re-iterated the person in question is an “on-screen talent in the
company, who is not a member of the roster” - ruling out the wrestlers, and implying it
is a commentator or backstage interviewer.
One who lives with a roommate.
Online speculation immediately went to the real-life WWE couple of wrestler Carmella
and SmackDown commentator Corey Graves, who had been self-isolating since mid-March.
That means they weren’t at the WrestleMania tapings, though, meaning they’re not the
aforementioned first WWE case - as Carmella herself confirmed on Twitter:
“I appreciate your concern, but don’t believe everything you read on the internet.
Fortunately, I’ve been healthy through all of this.
🙏🏽” It massively calls into question Vince McMahon’s
decision to continue running tapings three times a week for Raw, SmackDown and NXT.
Up until last Friday, the plan was for WWE to bulk tape a whole month’s worth of content
to reduce the amount of travel required from its wrestlers and crew, which, in turn, would
massively reduce the risk of spreading the disease.
That was still a very risky strategy - with many sports leagues and TV shows shutting
down operations completely, like McMahon’s own XFL.
But midway through the first day of tapings on Friday, Vince reportedly changed his mind.
WWE will now tape three times a week moving forward, which means significantly more travel,
and a much higher risk of spreading disease.
As the memo showed, people can have Steve Corino without showing any symptoms - meaning
WWE’s testing precautions are fundamentally flawed.
To answer the growing criticism, WWE have taken the very rare step of publicly issuing
a statement: Talking to ESPN - a network that forced UFC
to stop running shows last week - WWE wrote: "We believe it is now more important than
ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times.
We are producing content on a closed set with only essential personnel in attendance following
appropriate guidelines while taking additional precautions to ensure the health and wellness
of our performers and staff.
As a brand that has been woven into the fabric of society, WWE and its Superstars bring families
together and deliver a sense of hope, determination, and perseverance."
A noble sentiment, but not one that holds water.
The statement does not explain why WWE are continuing to run a full live schedule, opposed
to the exponentially less risky pre-taping content in advance.
As the Wrestling Observer reports, the decision is far more likely driven by revenue, and
the fear of reneging on WWE’s pre-existing network deals.
McMahon is apparently worried TV networks will use WWE not being live as a way to get
out of their contracts - which only allow for around three pre-taped shows a year.
And with WWE already having lost between $15-17 million from WrestleMania 36 ticket and merchandise
sales, and the promotion projected to lose a further $340 million if forced to cancel
all remaining live events for the year - WWE find themselves increasingly dependent on
those USA Network and Fox TV deals It’s a deep shame the company appears to
be valuing these bottom lines over adhering to CDC guidelines.
Former WWE star Ryback has called “for ALL wrestling talent to stand together and refuse
to perform”, saying the wrestling world will be better off without McMahon.
And Reby Sky, the wife Matt Hardy who left WWE only the other month, has tweeted: “Wrestling
is great & all.
But.
It is NOT essential.”
- saying she wouldn’t let Matt work before state stay-at-home orders are lifted.
And to put things even more in perspective, we have the story of Brie Bella and Daniel
Bryan.
Bryan has been in a three-week quarantine since finishing last month’s WrestleMania
tapings on his family doctor’s advice, so Brie tweeted yesterday: “Bryan always bringing
the sunshine even when he’s away Yellow heart Love you SweetFace!”
To which Bryan replied: “I would give anything to be with you right now ElephantRed heartKoala”
This presumably means Bryan will not be on WWE programming moving forward, as he’d
have to enter three weeks of quarantine after every time he records at the Performance Center
- meaning he wouldn’t see his family for months.
It’s a sobering reminder that the wrestlers and crew who work these shows will either
not see their family due to being in perpetuating self-imposed quarantine themselves.
Do you think all wrestlers should unite and refuse to perform?
Let me know in the comments down below.
At least one WWE property is shutting things down.
And, of course, it’s actually nothing to do with Steve Corino.
2K Games’ WWE 2K20 was a disaster of a game, it’s unfixed glitches making it borderline
unplayable, and not just winning several ‘worst game of the year’ awards, but even the impressive
6th position on Metacritic’s ‘worst game of the decade’ list.
WWE2K20 was so bad, there was a bug in the game code that meant when console clocks ticked
over in 2020, the game stopped working.
WWE2K20 could not be played in 2K20.
And now the 2K franchise can’t be played for another year.
The streak extends!
Former WWE video game writer Justin Leeper - who penned the old Road to WrestleMania
mode - has revealed his sources say WWE2K21 has been cancelled.
He notes that WrestleMania was last weekend and, “traditionally, WrestleMania brought
with it a trailer or an announcement or some news about the upcoming WWE game - that did
not happen this year.
Why is that?
Because I have heard from reliable sources, and I truly believe there will be no WWE2K21
game this year.”
Justin also points out that, usually around this time, 2K starts their motion capture
work with WWE talent for the upcoming game, which they can’t do because of Steve Corino.
For those still wanting a new WWE game this year might still be in unluck, though.
Leeper does note a new title will be released in 2020, it just won’t be a simulation game
like WWE 2K20 and will be “a different kind of WWE game from a different kind of video
game developer.”
So… a mobile game, then.
Which means we won’t be able to play as the most anticipated in-ring return of 2020,
the return of… Drake Maverick.
Wait, let me just check he wasn’t in 2K20 as no one actually played the game….
Yep he wasn’t that segue still works.
William Regal announced on The Bump last week - is that similar to The Gronk? - that because
Jordan Devlin couldn’t defend his belt for 30 days - totally holds up to consistency
[picture of Brock Lesnar] - due to travel restrictions, he would be stripped of the
title and an interim champion would be crowned in a tournament, which has now been revealed
to be WWE’s version of New Japan’s G1 - with four wrestlers in group a, and four
in group b facing off against each other in a Round Robin tournament with the winners
of each group wrestling in the final.
Those taking part in the tournament are Kushida, Tony Neese, Jake Atlas, Isaiah “Swerve”
Scott, El Hijo Del Fantasma, Akira Tozawa, Jack Gallagher, and, yes…
Drake Maverick.
But what does that mean for Drake’s other job, the General Manager of 205 Live?
Don’t worry I also forgot he was 205 Live’s GM.
And that 205 Live was a thing.
Maverick has revealed on Twitter that he will be stepping down as 205 Live’s General Manager,
a position he’s had since January 2018 - that show’s had a GM for over two years, what?!
- and NXT General Manager William Regal will take over.
...Drake Maverick will now transition back to a full-time wrestling role, which he reveals
is something he’s been pitching for backstage since his feud with Mike Kannelis last year:
“I’ve been knocking on the doors asking to be an in-ring competitor, that wasn’t
working out for me and it was making me really doubt myself.
I want to thank Mr. Regal for taking over the duties of the Cruiserweight division,
and to thank him publicly for this amazing opportunity.”
Those who watched Drake Maverick’s career, knowing him previously as Rockstar Spud, will
know how good he is in the ring - and hopefully WWE will give him a chance to show that.
What are 10 other Firefly Fun House or Boneyard style matches WWE needs to put on?
Click the video on the right to find out in Adam Blampied’s latest list!
And find out the true backstory of Bray Wyatt’s Fiend by watching Laurie’s new episode of
Explained by clicking the video below that!
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your home page.
I’ve been Oli Davis, and that was wrestling.