An on-screen WWE employee, who is not a wrestler, recently tested positive for COVID-19, but has now made a complete recovery, WWE confirmed in a statement today.
WWE released this statement to media:
“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.”
The statement was sent after Fightful reported that WWE sent out an internal memo last week to several employees about someone testing positive for COVID-19. That person is an on-screen talent, but not an in-ring wrestler (possibly a referee, announcer, interviewer, etc.).
WWE’s internal memo read as follows, according to Fightful:
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:
[The middle portion was redacted by Fightful, who said: “The memo stated that the person infected did provide their consent to share their name and status, noting that they’re feeling much better. However, for the privacy of said person, we’ll summarize the next paragraph in saying that the person tested positive for COVID-19 after they and their roommate became symptomatic. The memo noted the person had been socializing with two friends in the health care industry.”]
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.
The person was at WWE’s tapings late last month, including WrestleMania, but WWE’s statement says that they were infected after the tapings were completed. According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, the person went into quarantine after testing positive and is now cleared of the virus.
Vince McMahon decided yesterday that WWE would be resuming live weekly shows for Raw, SmackDown and NXT and the roster will have to travel to the Performance Center each week.