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As of this writing, WWE is slated to return to taping Raw and Smackdown episodes at the WWE Performance Center tomorrow, but today was a long day for many who work for the company.
Yesterday's announcement that a WWE developmental talent had tested positive for COVID-19 led to WWE shutting down today's scheduled taping. Instead, for the first time, WWE tested their talent and staff for COVID-19. Previously, everyone working WWE tapings had their temperature checked and were monitored by WWE's medical staff but had not gone through the COVID testing that All Elite Wrestling has required of talent and staff, which was, depending on the taping, either a swab of the nose or throat or an anti-body test. All signs are that everyone tested today went through the nose swab.
On why the company had not previously utilized those COVID-19 tests, during a media call prior to NXT Takeover: In Your House on 6/4, WWE's Paul Levesque explained, "We have medical experts on our team who work with the CDC and the government to determine what is the best approach to take to ensure the safety and wellness of our performers. That is working with the local and federal government. When you begin to talk about various types of testing, the accuracy of those tests become questionable. So, we need to do what we're being told to do by the medical experts. Once that widespread testing that is accurate becomes available, we will do so. But the accuracy of those tests has to be there first. In the meantime, our medical protocols are extensive and, most importantly, they've worked."
There was a huge gathering this morning at the WWE Performance Center for testing, which was described to us by several as disorganized at the onset of the process. Others told us there was no issue with getting the test done this afternoon, so it may be that once WWE got things going, they handled the testing better. As you might imagine, there's been stress and worry for many, concerned they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
For almost every person that we've spoken with today (with the exception of one talent who stated the pandemic was just a "big work"), there has been concern at some level about their health and for those with families, that concern was even greater, as there was worry about whether they could bring something back home that they could expose their families to as well. As one person stated, this is exactly why Roman Reigns has stepped away. Health has obviously been an unspoken concern since the pandemic started, but having been tested today, for many, it is now back at the forefront of their thoughts in a way it hadn't been previously.
Adding to the worry was the extremely unfortunate timing of the inclusion of fans (or, as WWE described them in their statement earlier today, "friends and family") at yesterday's TV taping. While those friends and family attending yesterday had their temperatures checked and signed waivers, there was a concern voiced by some today that unlike WWE staff and wrestlers who come into the building, WWE's medical personnel have no true way to know or trace who those "friends and family" attending the show had been around in the time leading up to yesterday's taping and if they came back again for another taping, what they had been exposed to in between attending tapings.
We are told by some that were upset who cited that WWE did not inform them before the taping that anyone from the "outside" would be in attendance, given that the "friends and family" were in and around WWE talents over the course of the taping, sometimes without masks. One talent noted they were not aware that anyone but NXT talents would be in the PC until they went out before the crowd and saw older faces that they knew could not be signed NXT talents.
WWE issued the following earlier today regarding those attending the taping: "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. 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."
Although WWE noted the social distancing guidelines were adhered to, there were moments when talents came through the crowd (such as The Street Profits during their ring entrance) where those guidelines were impossible to follow on camera. It should be noted that WWE has been extremely strict with following the guidelines put out by the CDC, especially at the onset of the pandemic but have relaxed somewhat as they were cleared as essential work for the State of Florida.
I want to stress that there have been some we've spoken to who have shrugged at the entire scenario over the last 24 hours, feeling it's overblown, especially the one person who, as noted, feels the pandemic is a "work." At the same time, many of those who have spoken with PWInsider.com, under condition of anonymity, at different points over the course of the day described themselves as mostly worried and/or upset over how the last 24 hours have gone. There was a feeling WWE needed to step up in terms of communication and show more care for everyone as they are still performing in the middle of a pandemic that has not passed. Several also pointed out that in the State of Florida, where WWE is taping, the State has seen some bars and restaurants shut down again in the wake of cases spiking upwards, so even locally, the situation has not passed.
There is no word whether tomorrow's TV taping will include "invited friends and family" or whether those who attended yesterday's taping were advised to undergo a COVID-19 test.
There is also, obviously, no word as to whether WWE intends to address the troops in person.
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