Report: Kevin Owens opts out of WWE taping

On Monday night, we learned that a recruit who’d been in the audience at the Performance Center as recently as last Tuesday (June 9) tested positive for COVID-19. WWE talent allegedly learned that information at the same time we did.

That, in addition to not being informed that “friends and family” were in attendance at Monday’s taping, and general concern about coronavirus transmission at a time when cases once again appear to be surging in Florida, led to reports of an unhappy locker room. We also heard that more of the roster might be making the same decision Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn did - to sit out shows produced under the prevailing circumstances.

We seem to have the name of the next performer opting to do just that. Fightful Select reported, and Wrestling Observer confirmed, that Kevin Owens was not present at the Raw taping on Weds., June 17. He told the company this was due to Monday’s confirmed COVID case.

There’s apparently no heat on Owens (not that there should be, but...) and WWE hopes he’ll return for the next taping. At one point, plans called for two episodes to be filmed next Mon., June 22, but there have been at least two changes to the schedule this week.

It also remains to be seen if more wrestlers will follow Reigns, Zayn, and Owens’ lead.

After taking some time off to heal up from an injury and spend time with his family after WrestleMania 36, KO’s been involved in a program with United States champion Apollo Crews and Zelina Vega’s stable. He defeated Angel Garza on the latest episode of Raw.