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Florida County Where WWE Films Now Requiring Protective Masks

Published Fri, 19 Jun 2020 15:05:22 -0500

Following news earlier this week that a WWE-contracted talent present at last week's television tapings tested positive for COVID-19, Orange County, Florida Mayor Jerry Demmings has made mask-wearing a requirement in public and at businesses with few exceptions, such as removing the masks to eat. Demmings' decision comes as a result of a massive spike in cases in Florida, which experienced its highest-ever number of new cases this week, putting the state's reopening efforts on pause.

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In the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer describes a power struggle between Demmings, a rising star amongst democrats whose wife Val Demmings is being considered as Joe Biden's vice-presidential running mate, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is a well-known supporter of WWE Hall-of-Famer President Donald Trump. DeSantis is the one who designated pro wrestling as an essential business, allowing WWE to continue taping in the state even during the complete shutdown during the early days of the pandemic. DeSantis's decision came the same day that Linda McMahon, wife of WWE CEO and Chairman Vince McMahon, pledged to spend $18 million from her pro-Trump super PAC in Florida during the upcoming elections. DeSantis's designation overruled an original attempt by Demmings to shut down WWE tapings at the Performance Center.

Meltzer also reveals in The Observer that the WWE talent who tested positive for COVID-19 was a female wrestler who has only appeared on television as part of the crowd during tapings. Meltzer confirms reports that, until this week, WWE had not issued medical coronavirus tests on any of its staff or talent, instead of relying on temperature checks and asking about COVID-19 symptoms. Meltzer also reiterated that fans, referred to by WWE as "friends and family," have been and continue to be allowed into tapings.

Meltzer notes that even as no one has been seen with a mask on WWE TV, there is no proof that the company has forbidden them at the tapings. It is currently unknown whether WWE will be able to tape without masks and what they will do if they are not allowed to do so. However, the company has already tapped its shows for at least the next week, so they have some time to figure out what to do next.

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