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Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, WWE has consistently managed to produce new content ever since the global outbreak. One thing that has not remained consistent during that period, though, is the look of the rosters on each brand.
WWE released a number of Superstars in mid-April as part of cost-cutting measures. On top of that, Brock Lesnar has gone on his usual post-WrestleMania sabbatical, whilst Becky Lynch began a leave of absence from the company after announcing her pregnancy.
Other WWE roster changes, though, have been directly forced because of COVID-19. Ever since WWE moved its television production to a largely closed set at the Performance Center, the company has insisted that any performer who does not feel comfortable with working tapings in the current climate is free to opt not to attend. WWE also assured those who did take this decision that their spot on the card would not be affected as a result.
Several WWE Superstars exercised this right out of concern for themselves and their families. As a result, these individuals have not been seen live in person on WWE television for quite some time. In contrast, some other talent has been asked to stay away from the Performance Center for a period on the grounds
Here are 3 WWE Superstars who have opted not to work due to COVID-19, as well as 2 that were asked not to attend.
#5 Kyle O'Reilly (Personal Decision)
A former three-time NXT Team Champion, Kyle O'Reilly was once told by doctors that being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes had put an end to his dream of competing in a WWE ring. Determined not to give up on his goals, the Undisputed Era member defied medical expectations and has forged an exceptional career for himself.
However, as O'Reilly's condition leaves him more vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19, the 33-year-old has not been present at any WWE television tapings since the crisis began. The last time O'Reilly was featured live and in-person on NXT was as part of the March 11 episode.
That is not to say, though, that O'Reilly has not featured on NXT at all since the pandemic started. WWE has featured him several times via video, including a four-way call between all members of the Undisputed Era on May 13.
Naturally, Kyle O'Reilly will not be returning to WWE until it is deemed medically safe to do so. The Undisputed Era is such a huge act in NXT that O'Reilly will likely be able to pick up where he left off once the threat of the virus has subsided.
#4 Dana Brooke (WWE Decision)
Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, Dana Brooke had been set for the most high-profile WrestleMania match of her career. Brooke had initially been announced as a participant in a six-way match for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship at the biggest show of the year.
WWE removes Dana Brooke from WrestleMania
However, WWE pulled Brooke from the bout after she fell ill in the days prior to WrestleMania. The Championship match instead went ahead with five Superstars present, as Bayley successfully defended her title against Sasha Banks, Tamina, Naomi and Lacey Evans.
Dave Meltzer revealed at the time that WWE had asked Brooke to quarantine after she began feeling unwell, which effectively ended her WrestleMania involvement:
"Dana Brooke was in the match, she is now out of the match. She’s in quarantine right now. They don’t want to take any chances. They pulled her from the match because she’s sick. They are concerned, so there you go. She’s in quarantine."
As it turned out, Brooke was not diagnosed with COVID-19. However, WWE's caution was understandable.
Brooke did return to SmackDown following WrestleMania, even qualifying for the Money in the Bank match in May. However, since failing to win the famed briefcase, Brooke has done very little on WWE TV.
#3 Sami Zayn (Personal Decision)
Sami Zayn was one of the highlights from the early weeks of WWE SmackDown shows from the Performance Center. Feuding with the likes of Drew Gulak and Daniel Bryan, Zayn did some great work both on the microphone and in-ring, which really enhanced the shows he appeared on.
Zayn even retained his WWE Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania when he beat Bryan. However, shortly after filming the pay-per-view, Zayn informed WWE that he was no longer comfortable working while the threat of the coronavirus still loomed.
Sami Zayn was stripped of the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Not keen to have a reigning champion missing for an extended period of time, WWE stripped Zayn of his title - and set up a tournament to determine his successor. AJ Styles would defeat Daniel Bryan in the final of the tournament to become the new champion.
Sami Zayn has tweeted regularly since deciding to take a hiatus from WWE, recently teasing a match with Styles for the title he never lost. Zayn has certainly lost some of his momentum since choosing to step away from SmackDown but has the ability to establish himself again very quickly once he is convinced that it is safe for him to return to WWE.
#2 Rey Mysterio (WWE Decision)
While his direction for the show had not been completely decided, WWE were forced to remove Rey Mysterio from WrestleMania 36 after he notified the company that he had gone into self-isolation due to concerns over COVID-19.
Speculation prior to the show was that the legendary luchador would be challenging for a title at the show, but WWE was forced to take precautionary action as soon as they became aware of Mysterio's possible health situation.
WWE forced to scrap plans for Mysterio
Dave Meltzer suggested that Rey had been figured into a WWE United States Championship match, but that this was scrapped due to Mysterio going into quarantine:
"This came out of nowhere. So, there were a lot of different ideas. Multiple different ideas for US title matches but from last week, the main idea if you watched last week’s show was probably going to be Andrade and Rey. But Rey is in quarantine, so he’s off the show. Yeah, you got to be safe rather than sorry for sure."
Mysterio returned from his quarantine shortly after WrestleMania was taped, having shown no reported symptoms of the virus. The 45-year-old is currently feuding with Seth Rollins in one of the most intense rivalries of his WWE career.
#1 Roman Reigns (Personal Decision)
From a pure booking standpoint, the biggest blow taken by WWE in respect of COVID-19 has to be the loss of Roman Reigns. Reigns is arguably WWE's biggest full-time performer and his absence is a key one.
"The Big Dog" was due to face Goldberg for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania, but pulled out of the match just hours before it was due to be taped over health concerns.
Reigns decides to step away from WWE
There had been speculation that, due to his prior battles with leukemia, Reigns may be immunocompromised. This would have placed the 35-year-old at high risk if he were to catch COVID-19. However, there were seemingly other factors that played into Reigns opting to leave the WWE Performance Center prior to WrestleMania.
Explaining that he had made the decision in the best interests of his family in an Instagram video, Reigns said the following:
"For all my fans, I'm sorry I didn't get to compete this year and put on a show and entertain. Sometimes, things are more important and I had to make a choice for me and my family, but no matter what, you already know the deal. Man, I sure made that town. I made it to Orlando. I had to make a decision for me, but it doesn't take anything away from what I've done and what I'm going to do. I still love this game, I still love pro wrestling, sports entertainment. I still love being in the ring."
It later was later revealed that Reigns and his wife had welcomed newborn twin boys into the world shortly before WrestleMania - and his desire to protect his sons was the reason behind Reigns choosing to step away from WWE.
Roman Reigns is much-missed by WWE, and it may be quite some time before we see him back in the ring.
