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Florida Will Allow Live Wrestling Crowds Starting Next Week

Live pro wrestling with crowds could return earlier than expected, according to a new set of guidelines published by the Re-Open Florida Task Force. The report, developed by politicians along with working groups from several major industries and addressed to Governor Ron DeSantis proposes a roadmap for reopening the state following a month-long shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 32-page report goes into great detail, but one of those details of particular interest to pro wrestling companies is a section on live sporting events and theme parks from the Phase 1 section of the three-phase plan, which is expected to go into effect on May 4th.

Will Wrestling Crowds Be Back as Soon as May 4th?

"Large spectator sporting events should use strict social distancing guidelines and limit occupancy of venues to 25 percent of building capacity," the plan for Phase 1 says. "Theme parks should remain closed."

"Large spectator sporting events should use strict social distancing guidelines and limit occupancy of venues to 25 percent of building capacity," the plan says for Phase 2, which is to take effect after Phase 1 has concluded, with no set date yet. "Theme parks may consider re-opening with capacity limits, strict social distancing and proper measures to clean and disinfect."

A third phase of the plan will remove almost all restrictions, noting, "Large spectator sporting events should consider reducing capacity with limited social distancing protocols. Theme parks may return to normal operations with limited social distancing
protocols."

The plan does require meeting certain benchmarks and continuous monitoring before moving onto the next phase, and the next level of wrestling crowds, with the report explaining, "Florida's Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. plan to re-open is grounded in up-to-date data measuring COVID-19 spread, risk, and readiness. This plan is designed to mitigate the risk of resurgence and to protect the most vulnerable while allowing for a phased path to economic recovery. This plan should occur in four phases: Phase 0, which is the current phase we are in today; Phase 1; Phase 2; and Phase 3. Entry into each phase will be consistently evaluated in close consultation with public health experts and local government officials."

DeSantis Gives the Thumbs Up

According to the guidelines in the plan, that means that next week's live episode of AEW Dynamite could have a live wrestling audience, provided the capacity of Daily's Place is limited to 25% with a suitable distance between fans. Though next week's WWE programming is already taped, the company could begin allowing fans into Full Sail University to film episodes in the near future. Of course, the allowance of live fans required the approval of the Governor, who in a statement yesterday, seemed to think sporting crowds might need to wait a little longer.

"But I do think if the trends are good, I think as you get into June/July, I think there is a window to have some fans," DeSantis said after noting that May might be too early for fans to attend wrestling and other sporting events. "You're not going to have everyone packed in, but man, in 90-degree weather, in the state of Florida, if you're out there and someone's ten feet away from you and you want to watch a ballgame or something, you may be able to do that. So this is something that we're just gonna have to do. We're going to be driven by the facts, driven by the data. But I think that Major League Baseball coming back, I'm hearing this, I think that that's going to be exciting for a lot of people. And I just think there's going to be a lot of possibilities, so let's just be resourceful and creative."

But Will Wrestling Companies Take the Risk?

However, at a COVIC-19 briefing Friday morning, DeSantis reportedly said that the guidelines for live crowds at sporting events can indeed go into effect on May 4th. Just because it's allowed doesn't mean companies will do it. The last thing that a company like AEW or WWE wants is to be the first company to get fans or performers sick due to relaxing safety guidelines. It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming week and the coming month.

The Bottom Line 'Cause Chad Said So

First and foremost, the safety of the fans and performers and crew are the most important things. That being said, I kind of wish that DeSantis would ban wrestling crowds a little longer. For many people, the absence of fans has made wrestling less interesting, but longtime Bleeding Cool readers know that I'm personally a big fan of the sterile atmosphere provided by empty arenas. Fans don't really add to the product, but instead detract from it with their chants and their disrespectful booing of the wrong wrestlers. I knew it wasn't going to last forever, but I was hoping I'd be able to enjoy my wrestling without noisy crowds for at least a little longer. All good things must come to an end, but I'll always fondly remember this time.

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