Wrestling - coronavirus thread
 

And it begins


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Smackdown has been moved to the WWE Performance Center, and I'm told WWE is considering this for several upcoming events.</p>&mdash; Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1237939658841034754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rip WM

Performance Center WM incoming...

I’ve never seen anything like what’s happening in the world right now.

https://clutchpoints.com/xfl-news-se...-without-fans/

Karma might be real, I dunno.

Nah, it'd just be postponed. They have a lot of wiggle room with all their worthless PPVs.

Lol imagine having a ticket to one of those nondescript summer PPVs and suddenly you’re now going to WrestleMania.

Except a large portion of their Mania crowd has booked hotels, flights and vacation time and are likely not gonna be able to attend if it's postponed. It'll be a shit show regardless but the non local attending is gonna get fucked.

A state of emergency entitles a full refund

Just live your life as usual. If they cancel your show you'll more than likely get compensated or be dead so it's all good.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE has NOT cancelled SmackDown in Detroit this week. <br><br>WWE statement/details coming shortly.</p>&mdash; Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryansatin/status/1237959953173737474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Satin vs Sapp in a coronavirus cage match

I hope Alexa Bliss is ok.

AEW postpones next Wednesday's Dynamite to July 8th.

NY state banning gatherings of 500+, Rochester AEW show is a no go

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are taking new actions to reduce the density of people across the state.<br><br>Starting Friday at 5pm, gatherings with 500 people or more will not be permitted in NYS.<br><br>Additionally, for facilities with an occupancy of 500 or fewer, we are reducing the legal capacity by 50%.</p>&mdash; Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo/status/1238166881372196865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">And there goes the AEW Blood &amp; Guts episode at least in Newark.. <a href="https://t.co/CFQJ9hUGSB">pic.twitter.com/CFQJ9hUGSB</a></p>&mdash; Scott Lesh (@ScottLesh724) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottLesh724/status/1238164916026191873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I really cant see televised shows being cancelled by WWE or AEW. I think they can still put on their TV shows in empty arenas. It would be weird but not unheard of.

That said, I'm thinking they aren't going to be in charge of those decisions and will get shut down by outside forces like the govt or the arenas and cities/states.

If I'm WWE, I just move all shows to the Performance Center. You can use the trainees/personnel and family members of wrestlers as the audience for RAW/SD and WrestleMania.


If I'm AEW, I rent out a small studio space and do the same (family of talent as the audience).

AEW has to rent some kind of small space and do it or their momentum is going to be really hurt. Not being on TV for possibly several months will hurt them badly.

Someone should convince all the major promotions to do a crossbrand show on ppv with all proceeds going to charity to help people impacted by the coronavirus.

Being rumored that WWE is looking for somewhere other than Detroit for tomorrow's SmackDown!.

WWE sent out another statement regarding Mania 36 and basically its the same as before.

They are not cancelling the event unless specifically told to do so by the government or venue.

Pretty much putting all the pressure on Tampa to cancel it since they have no plans to do so.

Essentially playing chicken with each other.... They both know it prob isn't gonna happen, but they don't want to be the one to officially break that news

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a bunch of weirdos they look like for denying this last night when it was obviously the plan already. In case you needed more proof that Vince doesn’t live in reality or by the rules of society, here it is. <a href="https://t.co/usZYRGmHpK">https://t.co/usZYRGmHpK</a></p>&mdash; David Bixenspan (@davidbix) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidbix/status/1238231232154124289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sounds like free admission and a very limited crowd allowed. <a href="https://t.co/qtrFp4qcfR">https://t.co/qtrFp4qcfR</a></p>&mdash; Kenton (@Kenton_la) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kenton_la/status/1238237971545042946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That would happen in our parallel universe, this one is FUBAR

We need to do the ending of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and smack the shit out of all the people that bought up all the toilet paper. Fuckin' bastards

Some dude in our town bought all the tp up and is price gouging and selling it for retarded prices, 200 a pack and shit, online in the local buy/sell group. I've documented it all and when everything passes over I am going to remind everyone what a piece of shit he was and put him on blast everywhere in the local groups.

The sooner the better, I hope a group shits on his doorstep to the point of leaky shit flowing through his front door

Big same brother. Big same. Gonna have to buy a bidet for sure now. Bet some jackass bought all those too though :(

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I know no decision has been made about WrestleMania yet but ... the Tampa Convention Center, where WWE Axxess will be, had a positive test.</p>&mdash; Brian Fritz (@BrianFritz) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrianFritz/status/1238172494915342336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In the event that happens, we'll have to DIY the damn things, maybe salvage some old parts and make it happen.

The most important question wrestling fans have to ask themselves about Smackdown in the Performance Center space minus a crowd is:

When Michael Cole screams "It's boss time" will it echo off the walls repeatedly?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lots of wrestling fans bummed today. If you need a little cheering up...Here is a picture of a dog... <a href="https://t.co/NFnFR28a5W">pic.twitter.com/NFnFR28a5W</a></p>&mdash; Jon Moxley (@JonMoxley) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonMoxley/status/1238152786174291968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Mox gets the people.

I honestly think this could be a blessing in disguise for Raw, Smackdown, Dynamite and WrestleMania.



* Camera work could get more 'up close' to the action at times.

* We'll focus more on the stories in the ring during matches

* Opportunities to film segments that show us more characters outside of the ring in unique settings

* Undertaker will take 10 minutes instead of 40 minutes to walk down the ramp at the PC

* WM will zoom by quicker in general with a smaller ramp

* It will just make all the above feel sort of fresh and different

* There won't be sports on, this might actually help ratings since it will give people something to watch

A lot of people on twitter expecting Trump to 'pardon WrestleMania'

https://i.postimg.cc/zf2Nb6MY/download.png

I was thinking earlier that the product could be better if they can get away from the die-hard snark fans live for a while.

Instead of trying to compete with the crowds trying to get themselves over with stupid chants, maybe with companies can become more appealing to casual fans.

Vince should shop the rights to air Wrestlemania this year on TV since there won't be any other sports happening

That would be a great get for Fox. People could still watch it commercial free on the network/traditional PPV. Fox though would get a nice rating and money to be made with commercials.

Vince should view wrestling minus a crowd as a chance to push whomever he wants. Without the opportunity for an audience to boo his choice he can craft, unchallenged, top faces and then when a crowd happens again, they might agree and cheer instead of boo his choices.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">UPDATE: Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has suspended events at city facilities after a confirmed case of coronavirus was reported. <br><br>Venues included TIAA Bank Field, which is connected to Daily's Place. AEW announced yesterday Dynamite would take place at the amphitheater. <a href="https://t.co/rdmSe8qziT">pic.twitter.com/rdmSe8qziT</a></p>&mdash; WrestleZone on Mandatory (@WRESTLEZONEcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/WRESTLEZONEcom/status/1238507873195474944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to PWI, this Monday's episode of RAW will also be held at WWE's Performance Center.

WWE airs Florida Championship Wrestling Documentary on Sunday, by Wednesday WWE becomes Florida Wrestling Entertainment

If they refuse to cancel WM the tickets on secondary market are going to crater for people not wanting to go trying to get something back

Full Sail announced they are shutting down all group events on their campus till the end of April.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All group events on campus will be suspended through the end of April, and you will receive an update about April’s graduation event in the coming days.</p>&mdash; Full Sail University (@FullSail) <a href="https://twitter.com/FullSail/status/1238538835107160064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Everyone gonna be living at the Performance Center for 2 months

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Yes, unfortunately it does.</p>&mdash; City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) <a href="https://twitter.com/CityofJax/status/1238579057853374464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just a note from AEW, Wednesday's show at Daily's Place is still on. Things are still having to be worked out as far as details go but it will have to be without fans.</p>&mdash; Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) <a href="https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/1238558633685692416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Vice had a recent article on the potential impact cancelling Mania weekend will have on the smaller indies.

Highspots and WrestleCon owner Michael Bochicchio stated he likely will need to sell his house in order to stay in business if WrestleCon's Mania week events get cancelled.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’ve got an article up at <a href="https://twitter.com/VICE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VICE</a> looking at what a financial catastrophe a WrestleMania cancellation would be for the independent wrestling scene, including quotes (&quot;I’m not kidding...I’ll likely sell my house.”) from a some key players who’d be affected. <a href="https://t.co/QX76KVqhfm">https://t.co/QX76KVqhfm</a></p>&mdash; David Bixenspan (@davidbix) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidbix/status/1238515730150297600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In another tweet, AIW's owner stated he's already losing a lot of money just from the shows he's cancelled this month.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I know the big spotlight is on Tampa but I had 2 shows booked this month as well, while I take all of this seriously and get all the risks involved the only way you could probably relate to my situation is if you went in your backyard and lit about $20,000 on fire right now.</p>&mdash; John Thorne (@JohnThorneAIW) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnThorneAIW/status/1238584463157846024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It really would be amazing if WWE went under. Let Alexa Bliss , Finn Balor and The Uso's go to AEW.

https://www.fox13news.com/news/wwe-p...restlemania-36

Morons on both sides. If this is all due to insurance money, just do a hush deal to split the money and both sides can save face in this situation. If WWE rejects the offer, then blast them in public for being greedy bastards or something.

Expecting WWE to do the right thing isn't going to happen when a ton of cash is involved considering they'd already shown they don't care about any hits to their image in these types of situations.

wwe backstage (.01 rating this week, 35,000 viewers) got suspended

probably wont come back on

Kind of strange the only two sports going are wrestling and MMA. More contact in them than all these other sports.

Did somebody say a 3rd super show in Saudi Arabia???

Honestly that'd probably be the best option. Vince would move WrestleMania to the moon before he'd cancel it. He's saving money with the XFL being cut short but WrestleMania is his gold mine.

Think the Saudi government put in their own travel ban a while ago so that's likely out of the question.

Plus who knows if they still owe WWE money or even paid for the last show yet.

Question: Is Roman Reigns a high-risk if infected with coronavirus due his battles with Leukemia?

I would imagine he was on medication that weakened his immune system. If he's still taking those, then yes.

Can't wait for everyone to look back on this and laugh at the HUGE overreactions from schools,sports,people's place of work.

Lucha Libre AAA postponed their Rey de Reyes event which was set for next Saturday in Merida, Mexico.

This is the show that had the Laredo Kid vs. Kenny Omega for AAA's Mega Championship on the card.

Were on the same path as Italy in terms of numbers soo far js, but i hope youre right

I feel like Coronavirus is just warming up tbh
it's in some jobber matches r/n to help establish it before it goes for a major title

If I had tickets for WrestleMania, I would be majorly pissed that neither side has made a decision so I can fucking get on that. Dealing with that sort of stuff would be such a nightmare right now though. Someone I know was told there was a 5-hour delay on taking their call, if they weren't leaving within 5 hours to please get off the line.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The irony. ������ <a href="https://t.co/SwXHBDuIjy">pic.twitter.com/SwXHBDuIjy</a></p>&mdash; Luis Perez (@zerepwrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/zerepwrestling/status/1239228343310041088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Can't wait for the day you stfu

CDC put out a recommendation for all events in the US during the next 8 weeks to not have more than 50 people present.

That pretty much makes WrestleMania impossible to hold if WWE and/or city of Tampa follows through with it.

Same for regular wrestling shows like tv tapings being very tough to almost impossible to do even without fans if followed.

I predict Mania is moved to the PC, cancelled or postponed by the time RAW airs on Monday.

I doubt they do it at the PC... would be really dumb

Should just move it to June or whatever

We should have a well rested bunch of performers when ‘Mania happens

They'll announce it at the top of the show probably.

I think WWE won't do anything until the government forces them to

Do the right thing wwe! Cdc has said no more then 50 people in a given area ! Yet vince somehow thinks wm will go off as planned !?

Dana White is going out of his way to hold UFC again I think that Vince and Dana should hold a WWE UFC Supershow

In fairness, he was probably just fucking around in the first tweet.

CDC officially recommends that events with 50 or more people be cancelled or postponed.

Even events in empty arenas have that many people backstage between wrestlers, refs, agents, office people, production, etc....WWE can probably carry on since they own the PC unless Orlando forces everything closed. But AEW and anyone else trying to run empty arenas might be shut out depending on the venue and/or local regulations.

Either way wrestling is basically dead in the states until summer.

wonder how many people nwa power uses might be able to do that show without fans, an they could rent that out to other indys.

Kinda funny I've heard zero about Impact so I looked their lockdown ppv got canceled

Not going too well for them

Maybe itll kill off Impact for good

well after I post about nwa power they cancel april power tapings

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE has confirmed WrestleMania will no longer take place in Tampa Bay this year due to the coronavirus outbreak and will instead emanate from the Performance Center in Orlando. <a href="https://t.co/ShmryovJ4O">https://t.co/ShmryovJ4O</a></p>&mdash; Pro Wrestling Sheet (@WrestlingSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestlingSheet/status/1239689323802513410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

RIP to any Indy promotion that was running that weekend

WM weekend to them is what Black Friday is to retail shows

If there was ever a time to do a multi-day Mania, this would be the ideal opportunity to do so.

Also guess WWE won't be following the CDC's 50 people limit recommendation since it would have made running Mania practically impossible without major changes made to the card.

Apparently the reason Mania is still going on as scheduled is all due to Vince and his stubbornness to not delay the show to a later date.

According to PWI, WWE management was in favor of a potential June 7th date since that would given them a better opportunity to hold the show under normal circumstances. Vince rejected that idea and demanded the show go on as scheduled regardless of the issues.

RAW 2024

WHAT?! NO WAY! IS THAT TONY KHAN AND THE ELITE IN A RAW ARENA?!!?!!!!

Cancel both battle Royals, or they could just tape them a day early.

I honestly bet everything gets taped ahead anyway, there's no need to do it live.

I'm betting the shows from the PC for the foreseeable future will be taped too, no need to do this stuff live

Was talking to a buddy at work about this. They could have combined WrestleMania and SummerSlam and done a two-day mega show. They boast "multiple main events" anyway so one for Saturday, one for Sunday.

Or that would've been too weird for them, I don't know.

Someone brought up a good point elsewhere online that WWE didn't even bother to toss out a bone to help their affiliated promotions based on a recent statement from WWN/EVOLVE for their Mania weekend events.

With this year's Hall of Fame ceremony and NXT Takeover Mania show being unofficially cancelled, that would have freed up two days for WWE's affiliated companies to salvage something for Mania weekend. Instead looks like WWE left them out to dry just like every other indie company impacted by today's news.

If it's really been budgeted for nine hours, why not just run it over the course of the next three weeks of Raw?

At least they'd get some ratings out of it.

That might be their plan for shows in April

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Excuse me <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>-I think <a href="https://twitter.com/Marriott?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Marriott</a> doesn’t understand your advice that NO gatherings over 10 ppl take place for the next few weeks &amp; I think <a href="https://twitter.com/dralexpatel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dralexpatel</a> would agree that its impossible &amp; possibly illegal to move forward with <a href="https://twitter.com/wrestlecon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wrestlecon</a>. So stop the threats <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Marriott?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Marriott</a>! <a href="https://t.co/Bvk2vIFkCJ">https://t.co/Bvk2vIFkCJ</a></p>&mdash; Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAmJericho/status/1239767384937893888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Mariott...you just made the list

The wrestlecon people really are fucked. $114,000

If he's anything like his dad, he may or may just be fucking around in both tweets. Working this disease would be a very Pillman thing to do, bookermaaaan.

Also, I'm still around, if anyone actually gave a shit. Not sick.

Apparently Ali caused an accidental legal issue for Freelance Wrestling after he promoted their upcoming events on Twitter. These events are meant to help financially support indie wrestlers affected by the coronavirus and Ali has a past connection with the company.

WWE somehow found out about it and sent a Cease & Desist letter to the company since the logo they were using was similar to their old In Your House logo.

https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/20...motion-667977/

Meltzer confirms - no live matches on NXT tomorrow

Over under one week until the first wrestler tests positive

I dont understand why NXT won't be live matches. I get they dont have a Takeover to build to but it's still dumb

Probably just them wanting to limit the amount of people around the PC throughout the week and all the real focus going towards the main roster because of Mania.

Wouldn't be surprised if NXT officials also figured people likely are going to get bored of the same format for shows if they just did what RAW and Smackdown did this past week. At least in RAW and SD's case, they don't have a rival show airing at the same time so less worry of viewers tuning out.

I read that Vince doesn't like the empty arena matches. Still, seems dumb to not still have matches.

Hell they should just put employees in the stands. They have like 75 or so NXT people that don't appear on TV. Put them in the crowd, assuming WWE has access to tests like other sports leagues. Maybe 4 years down the road it can be a storyline "I was in the audience watching you at Wrestlemania 36, and at Wrestlemania 40 I am going defeat you!"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The rumor regarding WWE taping shows everyday for a week straight starting tomorrow is very much true. Goes to show you, much like AEW, they are unsure how long they’ll be able to do this. WWE is trying to get as much in as possible it seems.</p>&mdash; WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleVotes/status/1240803129207259137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>