Despite WWE making improvements for WWE Performance Center recruits working as fans during TV tapings, there has been some push back from the wrestlers.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reports that some people have either outright refused to come in, or hadn’t shown up to some of the event tapings before all of the positive tests were found.
Per the report, “many no-showed the back lot fight between Adam Cole and Velveteen Dream, specifically.” This match took place at the NXT TakeOver: In Your House special.
It was noted that WWE asked some NXT stars including Undisputed Era members to come in to make extra noise during the match. Eventually, friends of the wrestlers were brought in.
Before this situation, many of the top names in NXT were exempt from even being asked to come by.
Stephanie McMahon and other executives have publicly stated that anyone working TV tapings is on a volunteer basis. However, the report notes that this hasn’t been the sentiment echoed by NXT recruits.
It was added that although there was one name that told NXT they wouldn’t be coming in during the beginning of WWE using talent as fans, Sapp has heard of several wrestlers that asked to not participate and were told they needed to come in.
