UPDATEDx3: WWE Issues Statement on WrestleMania 36, Putting Contingency Plans in Place

UPDATE 3: WWE has issued a statement about the status of WrestleMania 36 amidst the flurry of cancellations of entertainment events in the US. The company has issued a statement to PWInsider noting that they are “committed” to hosting WrestleMania in Tampa but are putting contingency plans in place:

“While we remain committed to hosting WrestleMania at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, 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. The health and safety of our fans, performers and employees are our top priorities and we are monitoring the situation closely with our partners and government officials in Tampa Bay.”

UPDATE 2: The Wrap’s Tony Maglio commented on the situation further via Twitter. According to Maglio, the City of Tampa will not cancel WrestleMania 36 “at this time.” Currently, the City of Tampa is waiting on WWE, and the city will reconvene closer to April 5, which is 24 days away.

The next meeting for the City of Tampa will be in seven days from today (March 19) at 1:30 pm EST, and WrestleMania 36 will be discussed again at that point, unless WWE doesn’t opt to cancel the event themselves. He also noted the possibility of an overarching mandate making the decision for both Tampa and WWE.

The City of Tampa is not going to cancel #Wrestlemania36 at this time. They’re waiting on WWE for now, and will reconvene when April 5 gets closer.

— Tony Maglio (@TonyMaglio) March 12, 2020

City of Tampa will be meeting again in 7 days from today at 1:30 p.m. ET. #Wrestlemania36 to be discussed again then, if WWE itself doesn’t pull the plug within the next week. (Or I suppose an overarching mandate doesn’t make WWE’s and Tampa's decision for them.)

— Tony Maglio (@TonyMaglio) March 12, 2020

UPDATE: PWInsider has a new update with more information regarding the situation in Tampa, Florida, and it appears that press conference mentioned earlier is not happening. A WWE spokesperson is claiming that Lesley Miller Jr. spoke in error earlier regarding the topic, and there will be no WWE press conference this afternoon.

Additionally, it was stated by Tampa Mayor Castor and other city officials that there is still several weeks until WrestleMania, and a decision does not need to be made at this time. Also, they noted if WWE officials do not make their own decision on WrestleMania, Tampa officials will reconvene on the situation next week.

ORIGINAL: PWInsider reports that there will be a press conference today in Tampa, Florida at 1:30 PM, with Mayor Jane Castor and members of the Emergency Management Center team. There will be a discussion about the city’s planned major events, including Wrestlemania, at 12 PM. The future of said events after the outbreak of the Coronavirus will be decided.

When asked about Wrestlemania, Castor said: “We don’t have to take immediate action for events weeks down the road.”

Hillsbough County official, Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr. said that the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group wanted to deal with all events before making official announcements. WWE officials are currently in Tampa, but Castor said in an interview with 102.5 The Bone FM in Tampa yesterday that while WWE can ‘weigh in,’ the city will have the final call on whether Wrestlemania happens there or not.