In the world of professional wrestling, expect the unexpected is a saying that is used more often than not. Companies plan storylines weeks, even months in advance. However, they always need a backup, as outside circumstances can arise, such as injuries, legal troubles, or most recently, the COVID pandemic. For WWE, it’s the latter that’s hurting them the most at the moment.
According to recent reports, WWE is dealing with a severe outbreak of COVID-19, just days before the company airs their first pay-per-view since Survivor Series. The talents that have contracted coronavirus is still up in the air, but Seth Rollins put on social media that he has tested positive. Due to close contact tracing, it is assumed that RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch is also out for the next several days.
This is problematic, as both Rollins and Lynch are slated for marquee matches at Day One. The Drip King will take part in a fatal-four-way match for the WWE Championship, with Bobby Lashley, Kevin Owens, and champion Big E as his opponents. Lynch, meanwhile, is set to collide with Liv Morgan for the RAW Women’s Championship. While the show is taking place Saturday, WrestleVotes stated on Monday that the situation is “fluid” and that if the show was today, several matches would have to be revised.
This is the latest test for WWE in their long battle with the COVID pandemic. After going through 2020 and almost all 2021 unscathed, the disease has turned its ugly head towards the world of Vince McMahon and company. It’s been rumored that WWE was cutting some wrestlers due to their vaccination status, but that has not been confirmed.
COVID has taken its toll on the wrestling world throughout 2020 and 2021. Most shows had to run without fans in attendance, and Ring of Honor announced their hiatus due to the pandemic several weeks ago. I doubt we see crowd-less shows anytime soon, but attendance could be reduced again, and companies may have to make quick changes to cards. Hence, the “card is subject to change” at the bottom of posters and other promotional materials.
Last night’s episode of RAW told the fans who cleared protocols and who did not. Among the named not on the show in Detroit were Rollins, Lynch, Bobby Lashley, Omos, and WWE Champion Big E. Kevin Owens, the last member of the fatal four way match at Day One, appeared on the show, defeating Lashley’s ally Cedric Alexander. Omos was sent home from RAW early, according to reports. It’s still unknown whether or not it has any relation to WWE’s situation with COVID.
It’s also up in the air what happens with the Smackdown side of the card. As of now, all the COVID cases are on the RAW side, but much like the past year and a half, things can change at the last second. The last thing WWE wants is to altar more matches than they may already have to.
Another side of this debacle is the status of the crew and production. WWE might have a limited staff available for Saturday, which would affect the at home audience. Plus, if close contacts are factored in, there may even be less than the amount they had in the Thunderdome. Day One could be looking more like a nightmare than a dream. It’s sad, too, because the card is actually looking really good at eyesight.
As of this writing, all matches at Day One are still advertised, and there are no changes to the card. Hopefully, it stays that way. The two marquee matches are bouts that all fans should look forward to, and it could be the crowning moment in the career of Liv Morgan. Instead, we have to worry about the health and safety of WWE’s talent, and make sure that they are okay before anything. Only then can we start talking Day One, and how great of a show this could be for the company.