WWE confirms on-air talent tested positive for COVID-19

Earlier this afternoon (April 11), Fightful reported on an internal WWE memo they received which confirmed reports they’d been hearing all week about someone within WWE testing positive for COVID-19.

Here’s the memo, as published by Fightful:

“We have just been notified that (name redacted) 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 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 continued:

“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.”

It closed with Paul Levesque (Triple H) signing off.

Shortly after they posted their report, WWE confirmed the news with a statement to Pro Wrestling Sheet:

“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.”

Pro Wrestling Sheet also added that the person is “on-screen talent in the company, who is not a member of the roster”.

The circumstances described by both the memo and the statement indicate WWE’s efforts to ensure the Performance Center is a coronavirus-free environment have been successful. And WWE needs that to remain the case if plans to continue broadcasting live from there are to go forward.

They do show how difficult it will be to ensure that everyone involved in the production of a television show remain healthy during a global pandemic.