Coronavirus Timeline


WHAT HAPPENED

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has swept the nation as the traveling disease has hit the United States. While initially classified as an outbreak, the Word Health Organization (WHO) advised U.S. citizens to prepare for much worse as the possibility of COVID-19 degenerating into a pandemic remained. 100 countries and 120,000 cases later, the WHO declared the COVID-19 a pandemic as of March 11, 2020.

With every passing day, every major spectator event, from WrestleMania to the Olympics, was in danger of cancellation, with major events South by Southwest, Coachella and the Arnold Classic—which will have no spectators in 2020—all undergoing some form of cancellation.

ANY NEWS?

February 26, 2020—Acting on the advice of the Japanese Ministry of Health, New Japan Pro Wrestling made the following announcement cancelling all events through March 15:

“In light of recommendations made on February 26 by the Japanese Ministry of Health connected to the new Coronavirus COVID-19, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has arrived at the decision to cancel all live events scheduled between Sunday March 1 and Sunday March 15.”

Credit: Ringsidenews.com

DDT Pro Wrestling also announced the following cancellations:

February 27, 2020—During a “Road to WrestleMania” luncheon at Raymond James Stadium, Stephanie McMahon and John Saboor, Executive Vice President of Special Events, addressed the coronavirus scare.

“Given the number of live events that (WWE) does, it’s constantly monitoring global events,” Saboor said.

“There are active and ongoing discussions at play internally, like there are in any sector of American business, and certainly families as a whole. So I think those will continue.”

Rob Higgins, Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, also addressed concerns:

“You’ve got to be nimble, and you’ve got to be ready,” said Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.

“Thirty-six days is a long time, so it’s hard to predict. I think we just continue to information gather as much as possible, so that we are as prepared as possible.”

“…and if necessary, enact those measures,” added Stephanie McMahon.

March 1, 2020—Two people in Tampa, Fla.—site of WrestleMania 36—tested “presumptive positive” for the coronavirus. Florida Governor Rob DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency within the state.

March 2, 2020—Ahead of the March 2 broadcast of Raw in Brooklyn, N.Y., WWE held a talent meeting about the coronavirus.

March 4, 2020—WWE issued the following statement insisting it will not be cancelling WrestleMania 36 in Tampa, Fla.:

“The health and safety of our fans, performers and employees are our top priorities and we are monitoring the situation closely with our partners and government officials in Tampa Bay. We remain committed to hosting WrestleMania at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, April 5, and like other entertainment properties in the U.S., there are currently no plans to cancel or postpone our upcoming events.”

Credit: ESPN.com

March 5, 2020—Japanese women’s wrestling promotion STARDOM announced the following cancellations:

March 6, 2020—Toy giant Mattel announced delays for the following WWE action figure series due to the COVID-19 outbreak/pandemic:

  • WWE Elite 76 (re-scheduled for mid May)
  • WWE Series 107 (re-scheduled for late April)
  • The Undertaker vs. Kane Exclusive (Back-order, re-scheduled for late May)
  • WWE Battle Packs 64 (Back-order, re-scheduled for early May)

March 7, 2020—Speaking on his podcast “Ryback TV Shooting Blanks Wrestling Report,” former WWE Superstar Ryback noted that some within the WWE locker room are worried that WrestleMania could be cancelled due to COVID-19:

“From a wrestler’s standpoint, [WrestleMania] is in Tampa and they’re gonna bring people from all over the world to this location. If I’m a wrestler—and I’m speaking from the talent as I’ve talked to a couple of people—the talent believe that WrestleMania is possibly going to get cancelled. This is a business and it will impact a lot of things but you have to protect the wrestlers at all costs.”

Credit: Ryback TV Shooting Blanks Wrestling Report

March 9, 2020—Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported WWE has instituted a “no contact rule” at Meet and Greets.

March 10, 2020—WWE Superstar Braun Strowman tweeted out a PSA reminding fans to “wash these hands.”

March 10, 2020—NJPW announced additional cancellations, including the remainder of the coveted New Japan Cup, through March 21. All Japan Pro Wrestling also cancelled shows through March 22.

March 10, 2020—Former AEW world heavyweight champion Chris Jericho expressed no concern over the coronavirus as his band Fozzy prepared to go on tour.

“I don’t think the public should panic so much,” Jericho said.

“[We’re still going on] unless the cops tells us we can’t.” Jericho went on to attribute the ongoing coronavirus scare to “mass hysteria,” a notion of which the World Heath Organization would disagree.

March 10, 2020—Taking cues from WWE’s plans to stubbornly move forward with WrestleMania 36 (despite the cancellations of major spring events South by Southwest and the Arnold Classic—which will not allow spectators for the first time in history) AEW issued the following statement:

“All AEW events are currently moving forward as scheduled. Of course, the safety and well-being of AEW fans, partners and talent is always our top priority, so we will continue to closely monitor the rapidly evolving situation related to COVID-19 and be guided by government officials, health organizations and venue management. AEW will update ticket purchasers if there are any changes to the event schedule, and we encourage everyone in the AEW family to be good to themselves—and each other—by taking preventative actions as recommended by the CDC and WHO.”

Credit: Wrestling Inc

March 11, 2020—The City of Tampa’s Twitter account tweeted the following update:

Unfortunately, in light of the World Health Organization officially classifying the coronavirus as a pandemic, Tampa area writer Jon Alba and WWE insider account @WrestleVotes had far more grim updates on the status of WrestleMania 36:

@WrestleVotes went on to report WWE officials were in talks to relocate Friday Night SmackDown from Detroit, Mich. to the Performance Center.

The XFL, funded by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, announced that the March 15 game between the Los Angeles Wildcats and the Seattle Dragons would move forward inside Seattle’s CenturyLink Field with no fans inside the venue.

Additionally, in slightly more encouraging news, Ring of Honor announced its 18th anniversary show was to proceed as planned.



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