Report: Multiple AEW Wrestlers Test Positive For COVID-19 (UPDATED)
Lance Archer pulled out of Dynamite after testing positive, but there's more...
UPDATE (24 September, 16:02): Wrestlers who were at the 9 September tapings have tested positive, but didn't do so at the tapings themselves, as was erroneously stated here at the time of publishing.
Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp and Jon Alba of Spectrum Sports 360 have published a joint report stating that several AEW wrestlers who attended the promotion's 9 September television tapings in Jacksonville, Florida have tested positive for COVID-19.
Per the writeup, it is unknown whether these tests were done separately or together, and while other people have shown symptoms on top of those who have tested positive, there's no word that their own diagnosis has been confirmed.
The result of these positive tests was several wrestlers missing last night's tapings. These performers haven't been named, though Lance Archer has confirmed he is suffering from the virus. His account suggests he may not have caught as a consequence of attending an AEW taping:-
Archer's absence forced a reshuffle, with Eddie Kingston stepping up to face AEW World Champion Jon Moxley.
It is understood that wrestlers brought in for recent Dark enhancement spots are among those who have tested positive. These talents aren't all contracted to the promotion, though each is tested before entering Daily's Place, per company protocol.
Alba provided necessary context on Twitter, noting that despite the extensive preventative measures AEW has taken with the virus, running shows doing a global health crisis always presents a risk:-
He added that some wrestlers may have been kept away from the tapings as a precautionary measure.
AEW is yet to respond to Sapp and Alba's requests for comment.