WWE Reportedly Prevented People in the Crowd From Wearing Face Masks

WWE has reportedly been preventing people in the crowd at their shows from wearing protective face masks, according to Wrestling Observer Radio.

WWE allowed a small number of invited “real fans” into the Performance Center for yesterday’s TV tapings and reportedly told them that they were not allowed to wear masks, and would not be able to come into the show if they wanted to wear a mask. The reason why is apparently because WWE doesn’t like the idea and the look of people in the crowd wearing masks.

WWE released a statement to media responding to the face mask reports:

Fans have not been in attendance at WWE events since March 13. Yesterday, a select number of friends and family were permitted to attend WWE’s TV production. These individuals were required to participate in medical screenings prior to entering the closed set at our training facility, and were kept apart from in-ring performers and production personnel. Attendance was below 20% capacity and social distancing guidelines were adhered to with at least six feet between parties, thus face masks were not required.

A WWE developmental wrestler who was in the crowd last Tuesday tested positive for COVID-19 recently. Fans and wrestlers in the crowd yesterday were not told about the positive test and only found out when WWE made the news public after Raw was over.

WWE was testing several wrestlers and staff today and their planned Raw and SmackDown tapings have been postponed until tomorrow, though that might depend on the results of the tests. This is the first time that WWE has done actual COVID-19 testing. They previously just did temperature and symptom checks.

Mojo Rawley posted a video of himself being given a COVID-19 nose swab test.

Precautionary #COVID19 testing! Gotta make sure we’re healthy and safe to entertain the globe every week!

I’m telling you, this test is really not bad at all! No pain, just a weird feeling! So don’t hesitate in case you need to take your test! #StaySafe #StayHYPED pic.twitter.com/sx3ib3f5yB

— Dean Muhtadi (@MojoRawleyWWE) June 16, 2020