WWE is reportedly issuing fines to anyone caught without a mask backstage.

A COVID-19 memo was recently issued within the company and it was ruled that masks are mandatory backstage at all times, according to Wrestling Observer Radio. There will be fines issued to not just WWE talents, but anyone backstage.

It was also said that WWE has recommended, but not mandated, that everyone get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.

We noted earlier this week how WWE is no longer requiring COVID-19 testing. It’s now believed that WWE is following CDC recommendations and shortening the quarantine time from 10 to 5 days, so those who tested positive and missed shows would be available for Saturday’s WWE Day 1 pay-per-view, provided the positive COVID-19 test took place this past Saturday or earlier. A talent would need two negative tests on consecutive says, with the first test allowed on day five, which is basically six days total.

Seth Rollins is the only confirmed COVID-19 positive as of this writing. Based on changes in recent WWE TV and live events schedules, the following main roster wrestlers have missed shows in the last week – Rollins, WWE Champion Big E, RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Queen Zelina Vega and possibly her partner Carmella, Bobby Lashley, King Xavier Woods, Erik, Austin Theory, Omos, WWE Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. In the case of The Viking Raiders, they both worked Sunday’s live event in Tampa and Monday’s show in Orlando, but Erik has been missing for the rest of the tour.

This week’s WWE NXT episode also saw changes, as Brian Kendrick, Dexter Lumis, and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne did not appear as advertised. RAW Tag Team Champion Riddle also did not appear live as originally planned, but did appear via video with WALTER for the segment with MSK and NXT Tag Team Champions Imperium. It will be interesting to see how next Tuesday’s NXT New Year’s Evil episode is affected.

Regarding wrestlers being pulled from shows in the last week, some did not work matches as advertised as a precautionary measure. F4Wonline.com reports how WWE officials have noted that not all of the wrestlers missing shows this past week have tested positive for COVID-19. Some were pulled from the live events because the company is intent on not risking certain key people who are scheduled for Saturday’s WWE Day 1 pay-per-view, such as Reigns.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE personnel have reportedly been told that they are no longer required to take COVID-19 tests — and they’re not all happy about it!

WWE talent have been told that they are no longer required to undergo regular COVID-19 testing … and some people aren’t happy about it.

According to Sean Ross Sapp over at Fightful Select (subscription recommended) members of WWE’s main and developmental rosters were informed of the change via email. Several WWE Superstars are believed to be in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 and the reported rule change didn’t sit well with everyone.

Prior to the change of strategy, testing was mandatory and developmental talent at the Performance Center were required to submit two test results per week, while main roster talent on the road were required to submit one.

Fightful’s report comes the day after WWE was forced to make several last-minute changes to its Madison Square Garden house show card. Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, and WWE Champion Big E all missed the show, and while the reason for the absences has not been officially confirmed, Rollins did seemingly confirm that he has COVID in a recent tweet.

WWE’s Day 1 pay-per-view is just a few days away and, as always, the card is subject to change. If Rollins tested positive for COVID over the weekend he will presumably have to quarantine for at least 10 days (unless he is a-symptomatic, in which case the CDC recommends a 5-day quarantine), which means he’ll likely miss the event at which he was initially scheduled to participate in a Fatal Four-Way match for the WWE Universal Championship with Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley and WWE Champion Big E.

If, as some people suspect, WWE is currently dealing with an outbreak, its next few shows could be very interesting. But It wouldn’t be the first time the company has had to think fast and instigate last-minute changes in order to ensure its programming goes ahead. As you might recall, SmackDown was invaded by NXT talent when several members of the main roster became stranded in Saudi Arabia back in November of 2019.

Source: TheSportster