Sports and esports organizations are having to get creative due to the novel coronavirus. WWE is one such example. Up until now, the WWE has avoided shutting down its upcomingWrestleManiapay-per-view event on April 5. ButWWE’s professional wrestlers are already thinking about alternatives. For example, if Bray Wyatt and John Cena’s WrestleMania match is delayed, Wyatt has another idea. Instead, he wants a deathmatch against Cena set in a Hooters.
In a message posted to Wyatt’s official Twitter account, Wyatt makes the challenge toJohn Cena. “If WrestleMania gets delayed The FIEND hereby challenges John Cena to a Bar Fight DeathmatchTM. This will take place at Hooters.” He adds at the end that he’s, “Not kidding.”
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The Fiend and John Cena currently have a match planned for WrestleMania. It’s expected to be a standard match, though, and not a deathmatch of any sort. It’s very highly anticipated due toThe Fiend’s recent strength, but more importantly Cena’s current career position. Cena is considering a full shift to acting, with hints that this match may be his last major appearance. In other words, Cena may not be able to reschedule in the event of WrestleMania being delayed or canceled. Wyatt wanting a different type of match makes that much more sense.
WrestleMania remains scheduled for April 5, but there are growing concerns that the pay-per-view will be canceled or delayed. The situation is tenuous due to Florida issuing an advisory warning against events with more than 250 people. For now, it’s just a warning and not a requirement that such events get canceled. Reportedly, WWE won’t cancelWrestleManiauntil it’s required to, because its contract won’t allow it to recuperate their costs otherwise.
It should be noted that Wyatt has since deleted his tweet offering a Hooters Bar Fight Deathmatch to Cena. This could be to try and assuage fears of a WrestleMania cancellation or delay, or it could be at the behest ofHooters.
The novel coronavirus COVID-19 is causing disruptions across the world, in all industries. Live events like pro wrestling and other sports have been more publically seen since they’re the first and most publicly visible to be canceled or delayed. For example, the NBA has already suspended its season, as has theLeague of Legendsleaguesin both North American and Europe. Pro wrestling and esports are trying to figure out different ways to keep things going, but it’s an uphill battle with the coronavirus continuing to spread so quickly.
WWE WrestleManiaremains scheduled for April 5. Expect further updates in the weeks to come.
