WrestleMania 36 in jeopardy over coronavirus

FILE – In this photo taken last year, WWE star Roman Reigns speaks during the official announcement by the WWE that WrestleMania 36 will be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Photo by WWE

MANILA, Philippines—WrestleMania 36 is in danger of being called off as government officials in Tampa, Florida and the WWE in a virtual standoff on whether to push through with the event amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a report from Fox13, the WWE and Hillsborough County are at an impasse regarding the status of WrestleMania 36 as events and mass gatherings, including sporting shows, across the United States have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

WrestleMania 36 is set at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

“I’m hoping that [WWE Chairman] Vince McMahon and the WWE make the call themselves,” Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller said in the report. “If they’ve not done that a week from now, and we’re still in the situation we’re in, we’ll probably have to pull the plug on that.”

The WWE, however, remained adamant that WrestleMania, the entertainment company’s biggest event of the year, can still happen and that they’re committed to host it on April 5.

“We are putting contingency plans in place in the event that it is cancelled by government officials, civil authorities, and/or local venues,” said the WWE.

Major sports leagues like the NBA, UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Ligue 1, and even McMahon’s XFL have all suspended play due to the virus.

The NCAA March Madness was also cancelled while the MLB scrapped spring training and is pushing to start its season at a later date.

“I commend every sports franchise for erring on the side of caution. I hope the WWE follows suit. I don’t ever want to see people put profit over public safety,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister in the report.