Has WWE Issued A COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate To Its Wrestlers?
An update following news that COVID-19 vaccination status may have led to WWE releases.
WWE released a total of 18 wrestlers last Thursday (4 November). Internally, the promotion attributed these to "budget cuts", per an email circulated by Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis, though it was reported afterwards that COVID-19 vaccination status may have contributed in some cases.
The New York Post specifically named Nia Jax as someone whose vaccination status played a role, though it is believed that she wasn't the only one.
With regards to COVID-19 vaccinations in WWE, it appears that the promotion has not mandated that its performers get the shot.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that wrestlers hadn't been told that they needed to get the vaccine before they were let go, adding that while WWE wished for their wrestlers to get it, this wasn't enforced.
This is in line with comments made by Nia Jax (one of the 18 wrestlers released), who claimed on Friday that her vaccination status was never mentioned by WWE before she was cut.
Despite this, Meltzer noted that vaccination status did, indeed, contribute to some of last week's WWE releases. Jax's name is the only one to be reported thus far.