On April 5, WWE will celebrate WrestleMania 36 in Tampa Bay, Florida, in its biggest show of the year. However, the fear that seemed distant about the coronavirus is now growing stronger after two possible cases were detected in that city.
On Sunday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that two residents of the area tested positive in the first test for the disease. One of them has no travel history to countries identified as risky, while the other arrived from Italy.
The WHO has stated that the disease caused by the coronavirus, COVID-19, "can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, even when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets can fall on objects and surfaces. Other people can contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and shortness of breath."
This form of transmission has led to the cancellation or holding of dozens of sports events without an audience for fear of further spread. For the same reason, the biggest wrestling event in the world, being so close to taking place, could be canceled.
Stephanie McMahon: "The health of our fans and superstars comes first"
Two days before this confirmation, Stephanie McMahon, WWE's Brand Chief Officer, had commented on the possible cancellation of the event.
"The health and safety not only of our fan base, but also of our superstars, really is first and foremost. We don't want to put anyone in harm's way, regardless of the circumstances. These are risks not worth taking," she affirmed to the Tampa Bay Times.
Furthermore, the Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Rob Higgins, also mentioned that "you have to be able to act quickly, and you have to be prepared. Thirty-six days is a long time, so it's difficult to make a prediction. I think we will continue to gather as much information as possible in order to be as prepared as possible".
So far, up to 70,000 tickets have been sold for the event, and it will have a large number of foreign visitors from up to 60 countries.
However, the risk is not only WrestleMania, but the number of events surrounding it. The venues where it takes place become the epicenter of world wrestling (WrestleMania Weekend), attracting other companies to hold small or medium-sized events in the area, taking advantage of the influx of people. Only WWE will hold a RAW, SmackDown, Hall of Fame ceremony, and a NXT PPV on those days.
Will the event be canceled?
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