Homeland Security Declares Athletes Exempt From Travel Ban, Wrestling Not Listed, How WWE and AEW Reacted

The Department of Homeland Security has announced that athletes are now exempt from the travel ban to the US, which is currently restricting people from entering the country due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The order was signed by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf. This also includes the ‘essential staff and their dependents’ for the foreign athletes.

Wolf said: “Professional sporting events provide much needed economic benefits, but equally important, they provide community pride and national unity. In today’s environment, Americans need their sports. It’s time to reopen the economy and it’s time we get our professional athletes back to work.”

However at this time, the list doesn’t include professional wrestling or UFC. The list currently includes Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour, the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, the National Hockey League, the Association of Tennis Professionals, and the Women’s Tennis Association. It was noted that other companies could be added at the discretion of the DHS.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that WWE has not commented on the issue, although it would benefit them if the wrestling gets added. Talent like Jordan Devlin, Pete Dunne, Bobby Roode and the Singh Brothers are currently unable to work WWE shows due to the ban.

Meanwhile, AEW reportedly believes that this will affect them. They have several talents unable to work events, including Pentagon Jr., Jack Evans, Stu Grayson, Evil Uno, Riho, Yuka Sakazaki, PAC, Bea Priestley and Jamie Hayter.