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WWE is dealing with a new COVID-19 outbreak that has led to training being paused at the WWE Performance Center, PWInsider has confirmed with multiple sources. We are told there was no training today in Florida. There is no word when training will resume.
The belief among several sources is that the outbreak started after a NXT talent threw a party that fellow trainees attended, leading to an asymptomatic transmission of the virus that then spread among those who work and train in the Performance Center. We are told there have been a number of those who have tested positive this week, both trainees and staff.
When reached for comment about the matter, a WWE spokesperson stated, “As part of ongoing testing protocols, WWE completed its second round of weekly COVID-19 testing on Tuesday. Individuals that tested positive will quarantine for 14 days, receive medical care, and then will only be cleared when they are symptom-free and test negative. Additionally, extensive contact tracing has taken place and other individuals have been placed in 14-day quarantine, and will then only be cleared after they test negative.”
WWE’s statement lines up with what several NXT talents have told PWInsider.com, that they have been advised to sequester themselves. Earlier this evening on her Facebook page, WWE NXT talent Chelsea Green announced on her Facebook that she had been diagnosed with COVID-19 but is now free and clear of the virus.
Last night’s NXT TV episode was taped yesterday with a number of talents not appearing as originally planned. This coming Wednesday’s episode was also taped yesterday. NXT's next scheduled event would be the 10/4 NXT Takeover live broadcast on the WWE Network, giving the company ten days from today to see if those talents are free and clear to return to performing.
As a safeguard to prevent further spread, PWInsider.com is also told that talents and staff working at the PC or on NXT tapings will not be allowed to work Raw or Smackdown tapings at the Thunderdome in Orlando until further notice.
However, there remains a fear among several we have spoken with that given the potential of asymptomatic COVID-19 transmissions and that NXT trainees were working as masked Retribution members on Monday's Raw taping, that there could have indeed been potential cross-contamination to the main roster. As of this writing, there has been no word that any of the concerns voiced to PWInsider.com have been warranted, but it is certainly within the realm of possibility until a certain amount of time passes. Obviously, with Clash of Champions and Raw just a few days away, the last thing WWE wants or needs is for an outbreak causing major changes to their plans.
Given that several talents who work for AEW have announced they have tested positive for COVID-19, it is certainly within the realm of reason that talents from the two companies crossing paths in Florida may have led to those issues for All Elite Wrestling.
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