KEY POINTS

  • Roman Reigns recently pulled out of WrestleMania 36 due to coronavirus
  • WWE has decided to replace him in the Universal Championship match against Goldberg
  • WrestleMania this year is set to take place without any live audience

The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) boss Triple H has reportedly confirmed that the company is looking to replace Roman Reigns in the upcoming WrestleMania 36.

Roman Reigns recently pulled out of the Show of the Shows due to the coronavirus crisis since his immune system is compromised by leukemia he battled for years and it is not safe for him to expose himself right now.

Soon after Roman Reigns broke the news, it was followed by several reports about the WWE company planning to replace him in the Universal championship fight, which he was supposed to fight against Goldberg. While there was no confirmation, WWE’s executive vice president, Talent, Live Events & Creative, Triple H, who was a guest on the latest episode of ESPN's SportsCente, indirectly confirmed the reports.

“You know, there are various talents, and I don't wanna get into the specifics of WrestleMania because that's a must-see event, but we don't like to take precautions with our talent, any more so than we need to, and all of our talents are in this in a voluntary capacity."

"If they don't want to be a part of this, they feel there's a risk, for whatever reasons, be it themselves or somebody around them, they don't have to be here. Nothing is held against them for that. Same with our crew and everybody else. We don't want to take chances on that, and with Roman having a pre-existing condition, that would make him more susceptible to something, it's understandable,” said Triple H.

Roman Reigns’ news was followed by a number of reports that suggested a few other stars are also considering withdrawing from the upcoming 36th edition of the WrestleMania because of fears for their safety amid the pandemic virus.

Triple H
WWE's vice president of talent Paul "Triple H" Levesque is aware of AEW's emergence as a competitor. In this picture, Triple H speaks during a WWE Downunder media opportunity at Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne, Australia, Oct. 4, 2018. Robert Prezioso/Getty Images

It is for the very first time, the WrestleMania is going to take place without any live audience and it will be a two-night affair. Because of the ongoing crisis, the venue has also been shifted from Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium to WWE’s Performance Center. The show was scheduled to be aired on April 5 and 6.

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