WWE manages to keep the show on track amid positive COVID-19 cases, altering segments and matchups as necessary
This week’s WWE SmackDown had to improvise with a reshuffled script due to COVID-19, even though the identities of those who tested positive remain undisclosed due to the company’s confidentiality clause.
PW Insider provided insights into the alterations WWE had to implement for SmackDown. Essentially, the company reallocated more screen time to specific segments, preserving the essence of the originally planned show.
It was noted that the United States Title invitational match was initially slated to cover two or three segments, while extra time was gifted to the fatal four-way match. A significant segment involving the women’s title was dropped, and the triple threat match was instead announced earlier in the day.
“Since we’ve received a few questions about last night’s Smackdown being changed following some talents being pulled due to COVID-19 concerns, most of the show did go originally as planned. The WWE United States Invitational bout was always scheduled to run 2-3 segments. Santos Escobar vs. Austin Theory and Dominik Mysterio vs. Butch were always included in the original plans for the episode. Additional time was allotted to those bouts late in the day. A major segment dropped was the planned announcement of Asuka’s opponents for Summerslam with an in-ring segment featuring Bianca Belair, Asuka, Charlotte and Adam Pearce. That was pulled late in the day.”
In an interesting twist, the IYO SKY vs. Zelina Vega match was replaced by Charlotte Flair after the segment for the WWE Women’s Championship match was canceled. Vega was available backstage during the taping but was nonetheless replaced.
The report also indicated a planned pre-taping dark match between Rick Boogs and Odyssey Jones, which was eventually canceled. Jones, who was brought to WWE RAW during the 2023 WWE Draft, has struggled to gain traction.
In the volatile environment of WWE, where changes are a daily occurrence, it remains to be seen what this week will bring. One thing’s for sure – COVID-19 continues to pose challenges in maintaining the usual flow.
