The WWE was dealt a big blow to one of their planned main events for the 2021 edition of the Royal Rumble. Heavyweight champion Drew McIntyre tested positive for COVID-19 and will be forced into quarantine for the next 14 days.
The announcement was made via WWE.com prior to McIntyre’s scheduled Raw matchup with Randy Orton on Jan. 11. Most were awaiting the “Scottish Psychopath’s” response to Bill Goldberg’s challenge last week which would have likely set the stage for a WWE title match at the pay-per-view set for Jan. 31.
With McIntyre out for roughly two weeks, the WWE creative team may not have enough time to hype the anticipated McIntyre-Goldberg main event. They could try to resort to online means and even create a storyline out of it. But seeing how most never expected the showdown to happen in the first place, that will probably have low chances of success.
“I’m one of the fortunate ones with no symptoms, but I assure you COVID should not be taken lightly,” McIntyre said in an official statement. “Don’t think you can’t catch it because you can. If it can happen to me it can happen to anybody. And the only way we are going to be able to stop this thing is by working together. So please, wear your mask, follow social distancing guidelines. It’s not just to protect you but to protect everyone and their loved ones. I’ll see you all really, really soon. But until then, stay safe.”
“I am one of the fortunate ones with no symptoms, but I assure you, COVID should not be taken lightly.” — @DMcIntyreWWE #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/0Pd2vQHyUH — WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2021
The WWE may have to scamper for a different main event though their options may be limited. There is no telling if they will push Goldberg into meeting someone else. An answer to that could come on the Jan. 18 edition of WWE Raw.
News about McIntyre testing positive may come as a surprise. The promotion has applied strict measures to ensure the safety of employees and stars as of to date. Worse, there is no telling if other stars could end up testing positive as well.
The WWE has managed to come up with shows despite the pandemic. But with the coronavirus continuing to spread, they may have to adopt stricter measures to ensure that no one else falls prey to the dreaded disease.
Goldberg could still be in the 30-man battle royale although most were expecting it. With the McIntyre vs. Goldberg likely scratched, it is possible that the WWE will not replace it and go ahead as planned.
