By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE issued the following statement from Dr. Jeffrey Dugas regarding the company’s medical plans after a developmental wrestler tested positive for COVID-19.
“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.” – Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, WWE Associate Medical Director
Powell’s POV: Paul Levesque told me during an NXT media call earlier this month that WWE wasn’t doing actual COVID testing because they didn’t have confidence in the available testing. He added that what they were doing was working. Apparently, that’s changed quickly now that one of their developmental talents ended up acquiring the virus.
Guess this means we’re headed back to the “every match is an empty arena match” depressing bullshit again. Might as well have falls count anywhere, and anything goes be standard rules at least make use of the empty arenas. Nothing quite helps you “escape from your troubles/depressing/shitty reality” quite like watching wrestling with no audience and being reminded that there is a seemingly never ending pandemic going on that is reeking havoc on every aspect of your life including but not limited to the forms of entertainment you turn to in an attempt to escape from it.