WWE Resumes Tapings On Wednesday, Reported Rewrites And Cancelations Take Place
It’s already been a busy few days for WWE talent and it’s only Wednesday.
On Monday night, WWE confirmed a second performer tested positive for COVID-19. Following the news, WWE canceled its set of tapings for Tuesday in order to test all talent and staff for COVID-19. Previously, WWE had only done temperature checks for those at the Performance Center. They have also taken other measures to clean the PC and adhere to guidelines.
WWE is set to resume its taping on Wednesday with PWInsider reporting that the following shows will be taped (scheduled air dates in parenthesis):
– Next Monday’s Raw (June 22)
– Next Monday’s Raw Talk (June 22)
– Next weekend’s WWE Main Event (June 27)
– Next Friday’s SmackDown (June 26) (Gary Cassidy and Sean Ross Sapp report this taping has been canceled for today. Mike Johnson reports the taping will now be held on the afternoon of June 26)
– Two episodes of 205 Live (June 19 and June 26)
Following the tapings at the Performance Center, WWE will move to Full Sail to tape tonight’s NXT (could air live or close to live) and the June 24 episode of NXT.
It is unknown how long all of the tapings will take place. John Pollock of POST Wrestling noted that the tapings were delayed as test results were still coming in.
Talent reportedly can’t enter until their COVID-19 test comes back negative and they are cleared. Johnson does add that non-roster members are being allowed for the tapings on Wednesday. WWE used non-roster members, said to be family and friends of talent and staff, for the crowd on Monday. WWE talent reportedly didn’t know non-roster members would be allowed on Monday and it was confirmed by WWE that face masks were not required, though no one was told they couldn’t wear one.
Fightful Select reports friends and family members who attended the WWE tapings were tested on-site. Jon Alba notes that those who didn’t get tested were not allowed to attend.
Gary Cassidy of Sportskeeda reports that multiple rewrites have taken place for this week’s programming.
Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp did a comprehensive news update on WWE testing for COVID-19 and backstage reactions. You can watch his full update by clicking here.
