For a while now, WWE had been using talent from NXT and the WWE Performance Center as an improvised crowd for their shows. There wasn’t a mask in sight during these early shows, until there was a COVID-19 outbreak inside WWE. However, even then WWE owner Vince McMahon wasn’t going to require mask in the crowd, until Kevin Owens got in his ear.
Kevin Owens Was Going To Leave Due To Unsafe Conditions
During an episode of Les anti-pods de la Lutte, host Pat Laprade would shed some light on the WWE’s adoption of masks and other stronger guidelines. It would be reported that it was Kevin Owens was the one who raised the concerns that lead to these chances. During the July 3rd tapings, he’d approach Vince McMahon himself.
If reports are willing to be believed, Owens would go to tell Vince McMahon that he wasn’t comfortable with the lack of masks being worn, and the lack of social distancing in the crowds. He would inform Vince McMahon that he was going home. McMahon would ask Owens what he wanted him to do. Owens would tell McMahon that he would be the only man the crew would listen to, and that stronger restrictions would be needed within in the company.
Fines For Not Following The Rules
With the threat of catching the deadly virus not enough, WWE has threatened fines. As reported by Mike Johnson of PWInsider, the first offense of not wearing a mask would get you a 500$ fine. Second offense would be 1000$, and we can assume a third offense would be a more severe punishment.
You won’t find someone in the crowds not wearing a mask now, and they’re spaced further apart. It just took someone concerned who Vince trusted to change things. Owens has such a strong stance on this due to his wife losing her grandfather to the virus. It’s baffling WWE wasn’t requiring masks from the start, as they would sell them on WWEShop, and it was an easy chance to market the masks to viewers.
Do you think WWE is doing enough? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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