As the world continues to monitor the global pandemic of the Coronavirus outbreak, the status of WrestleMania 36 continues to hang in the balance. The CDC has just updated its guidance for math gatherings and is urging a halt two events with more than 50 people for at least the next two months.
Events all across the wrestling industry have been canceled or postponed. Ring of Honor canceled its 18th-Anniversary pay-per-view event, AEW has had to announce the rescheduling for several upcoming Dynamite episodes, and even in WWE, TV shows have started to be produced without an audience live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
When it comes to WrestleMania 36 in Tampa, Florida, both WWE and the city of Tampa have been trepidatious in making a final decision. However, an update to the interim guidance for the Coronavirus by the CDC makes the idea of a traditional WrestleMania inside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on April 5, 2020 seem like a pipe dream at this time.
From the CDC:
Interim Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Guidance as of 3/15/2020
Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual.
This recommendation does not apply to the day to day operation of organizations such as schools, institutes of higher learning, or businesses. This recommendation is made in an attempt to reduce introduction of the virus into new communities and to slow the spread of infection in communities already affected by the virus. This recommendation is not intended to supersede the advice of local public health officials.
Fightful will continue to monitor this story and report any and all updates as soon as they are made available.