WWE has confirmed that WWE Champion Drew McIntyre has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been placed in quarantine.
Releasing a statement via WWE.com, the company posted a short, concise statement confirming the news.
“Drew McIntyre has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been placed in quarantine.
Check back to WWE.com for more updates as they become available.”
Drew McIntyre has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been placed in quarantine. https://t.co/xgubbWEupk
— WWE (@WWE) January 11, 2021
The news came just hours before WWE RAW, whereby McIntyre was scheduled to face off against Randy Orton. Last week’s RAW, a special Legends Night episode of the show, saw McIntyre successfully defend the WWE Championship against Keith Lee, before being challenged to a match at the Royal Rumble by WWE Hall of Famer and two-time WWE Universal Champion Goldberg.
The WWE Champion would confirm on RAW that he has no symptoms of COVID-19 following his positive test result, and encouraged viewers to take the virus seriously and keep themselves safe.
“I am one of the fortunate ones with no symptoms, but I assure you, COVID should not be taken lightly.”
“I am one of the fortunate ones with no symptoms, but I assure you, COVID should not be taken lightly.” — @DMcIntyreWWE#WWERawpic.twitter.com/0Pd2vQHyUH
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2021
McIntyre enjoyed an incredible 2020, winning the Royal Rumble in January before taking on Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 36. Despite the show taking place in an empty WWE Performance Center with no audience in attendance, McIntyre would make history by becoming the first-ever Scottish and British-born WWE Champion. McIntyre has since become a two-time WWE Champion, and was named atop Inside The Ropes’ inaugural ITR 50, coming in at number one and also scooping the award for Male Wrestler of the Year in the End Of Year Awards.
Everyone at Inside The Ropes wishes Drew McIntyre well in his recovery.