WWE Addresses COVID-19 Pandemic For First Time EVER On Raw

Drew McIntyre's comments on his COVID-19 diagnosis were the first time WWE has acknowledged it...

Drew McIntyre
WWE

As promised in advance, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre addressed his COVID-19 diagnosis on last night's episode of Raw, confirming that he wasn't suffering from any of the virus' many symptoms but urging the audience not to take the global pandemic lightly. Adhere to social distancing, wear a mask, etc.

This was the first time WWE has directly addressed the ongoing global health crisis on television since it started impacting their programming back in March.

While swathes of wrestlers have been forced to take time off after either testing positive themselves or coming into contact with somebody who had, the promotion typically either ignores the reason for the absence or comes up with a different story, though it seems that they felt like they couldn't do this for a figure as prominent as McIntyre.

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Drew's comments on the situation were fleeting, and he moved onto his new feud partner, Goldberg, by the end of the show.

WWE faced significant criticism for their handling of the health crisis early on, with the promotion suffering multiple outbreaks and not issuing a mask order until July, almost four months after their first empty arena show.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.