The Grapevine (10/21/20): WWE Venues Investigated For COVID-19, RAW Ending Note, Mustafa Ali Reveal

Welcome to the Grapevine! This section of Smark Henry is where we round up all the important founded and unfounded rumors floating around the pro wrestling scene that you may have missed over the past few days. Remember to take everything with a grain of salt!

WWE venues in Florida being investigated for COVID-19

The Amway Arena, the NXT Arena in Full Sail University, and the WWE Performance Center are being investigated as potential COVID-19 hotspots. However, the investigation is more focused on local bars. WWE has put out a statement saying that they have been conducting weekly testing protocols and closing the venues to non-essential individuals. (Source: WTFV in Orlando)

We say: Well, despite the measures they've taken, we wish WWE the best of luck on this. Although we do wonder if anyone's also investigating Daily's Place in Jacksonville.

Note on the ending of RAW

The ending of this week's RAW, which saw Drew McIntyre breaking into the cell Randy Orton was in before the show ended, went as planned. The segment seemed like it was preparing for a brawl which did not happen; speculation went that the brawl would have been released on YouTube. It was apparently not a case of the show running out of time. (Source: PWInsider)

We say: Well... okay then. Looks like Vince was taking a page out of other TV shows, but this doesn't really work for the sports part of sports entertainment.

Mustafa Ali hacker reveal

Mustafa Ali's revelation of being the SmackDown hacker is not meant to be a major plot point moving forward. It was apparently just a way to tie up loose ends, albeit several months after the fact. (Source: Fightful Select)

We say: This sounds like it was Ali's idea, and even though it was way too late (nor would anyone have cared at this point), we appreciate someone going out of their way to satisfactorily tie up a loose end like that.

Let us know what you think of today's news in the comments!

Photo from WWE

October 21, 2020