Mystery 'On-Screen' WWE Employee Tests Positive For Virus
Unnamed talent not in a serious condition.
As lots of people have quite openly said since WWE's position on live wrestling during the current global situation became clear, it was only a matter of time before someone became infected.
The news this morning is that a mystery 'on-screen' WWE employee has tested positive for coronavirus, according to the company themselves. The identity of the individual in question is being kept under wraps for now, but it's not a member of the WWE roster - rather an "on-screen talent."
The company released a statement - though haven't referred to the situation on social media or on their website somewhat inevitably - confirming that they're 'doing well' and are not in a serious condition:
“A WWE employee has tested positive for COVID-19. We believe this matter is low risk to WWE talent and staff, as the individual and a roommate became symptomatic in the days following exposure to two people working in acute health care on the evening of March 26, after WWE’s TV production on a closed set was already complete. The employee had no contact with anyone from WWE since being exposed to those two individuals, is doing well, and made a complete recovery.”
This follows the release of an internal memo (via Fightful) that was sent out through the WWE internal app last week reading as follows:
We have just been notified that (name redacted by Fightful) was diagnosed with COVID-19. WWE doctors spoke with (redacted) this morning and reported (they) last had contact with anyone at WWE on March 26 at the Performance Center. As you know, (redacted) is not an in-ring performer and we believe this matter is low-risk to you per the following chronology:
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The memo went on to clarify:
Those of you who were potentially exposed would be cleared for travel by the evening of Thursday, April 9 at the latest, since the last possible exposure to any WWE talent personnel should have been at least 14 days prior.
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Fightful dig some digging in the roster and found some who are reportedly "unhappy with the work environment", though it doesn't appear to be a universal response, with others happy to keep working to justify their pay.
Clearly, it's not derailing Vince McMahon's assertion that the company will return to live tapings ahead of the originally assumed schedule.
Let's leave with the word of Reby Hardy, who took to Twitter to voice her concerns about the industry's reluctance to close up shop entirely: