While there haven’t been any rumors and reports about walkouts or other business issues, fans have noticed Bray Wyatt, Bo Dallas and JoJo Offerman have not been on Raw - or red brand house shows - of late.
Wyatt’s absence has been covered by pre-taped “Sister Abigail” interviews, while Dallas (Wyatt’s real life brother) has been shouted out by stable-mates The Miz and Curtis Axel with no other explanation for his not being there for their angle with The Shield, The Bar, Braun Strowman and Kane.
Offerman, who was romantically linked to Bray in the past, has also been absent without mention.
Justin LaBar of The Pittsburgh Tribune tweeted out an explanation from his sources this afternoon:
Seems Bray, Bo and JoJo haven't been at TV or events because of viral meningitis. Unfortunate. I have NO INFO on Sunday for Bray.
— Justin LaBar (@JustinLaBar) October 18, 2017
Twitter account Pro Wrestling Votes, a new player on the scene who was at the front of the reports on the Neville and Nia Jax absences confirms LaBar’s tweet in general, and says there could be more folks who are ill and at risk of missing this weekend’s pay-per-view (PPV):
Bray, Bo and JoJo have been off TV due to an illness. I will not report personal details, however that is the reason.
— Pro Wrestling Votes (@WrestleVotes) October 18, 2017
I am hearing other Superstars may indeed be suffering from the same illness, and it may drastically impact Sunday's PPV event.
— Pro Wrestling Votes (@WrestleVotes) October 18, 2017
If it is viral meningitis, the causes and duration vary greatly, according to the Centers for Disease Control. While the virus causing inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord is transmitted person-to-person, becoming infected is not a guarantee someone will become sick, as they could just carry the virus. Only a small number become ill, and manifest symptoms like headache, nausea, fever and sensitivity to light, among others.
The CDC notes that most people with viral meningitis get better on their own within 7 - 10 days, but treatment can be required and symptoms can linger for months.
In addition to Wyatt, Dallas and Offerman, SmackDown featured Michael Cole on play-by-play this week after he announced regular commentator Tom Phillips was “on assignment”. While this is purely this writer’s speculation, it would fit if Phillips was also suffering with meningitis or whatever might possibly have spread backstage.
We’ll keep you posted with any updates confirming these reports, or mentioning other talents affected. In the meantime, join us in wishing speedy and thorough recoveries to Bray, Bo, JoJo and anyone else who might be sick.
UPDATE: According to PWInsider, Bo is the only one being kept at home due to illness. Bray and JoJo have been kept away from the rest of the roster as a preventitive measure.