Report: WWE Only Taped 1 Episode Of SmackDown Last Week Because More People Tested Positive For COVID-19

Back on June 24, reports noted that multiple people in WWE had tested positive for COVID-19. Renee Young, Jamie Noble, Adam Pearce and Kayla Braxton publicly confirmed they had contracted the virus, but the actual number of positive cases was reportedly as high as 30. A developmental talent had also tested positive for coronavirus on June 15.  

The company had another coronavirus outbreak last week. Mike Johnson reported on PWInsider Elite that he has been told by three different sources that WWE decided not to tape a second episode of SmackDown on August 4 because more people tested positive for COVID-19. 

The wrestling behemoth was originally scheduled to tape the August 7 and August 14 editions of SmackDown at the tapings but those plans were scrapped. The August 14 episode was filmed yesterday instead along with next week's Monday Night Raw. 

WWE also had to alter plans for the August 7 SmackDown as Killian Dain and Danny Burch were originally booked to appear on the blue brand but Sheamus took their place instead.