WWE

WWE is confirming someone in its ranks is infected with the coronavirus -- the first known case -- but the wrestlers will push forward with scheduled events.

The league confirmed Saturday an employee had come down with the 'rona -- after ProWrestlingSheet broke the news an on-camera talent (but not a wrestler) had contracted COVID-19 in recent weeks.

PWS says the person -- whose ID was not disclosed -- started showing symptoms in late March after the WWE's last batch of tapings, including WrestleMania 36. Apparently, the person went to dinner with some hospital worker friends, and got tested soon after.

When the test same back positive, the employee immediately went into quarantine and remained there ... according to PWS.

WWE says, "We believe this matter is low risk to WWE talent and staff, as the individual and a roommate became symptomatic in the days following exposure to two people working in acute health care on the evening of March 26, after WWE’s TV production on a closed set was already complete."

It adds, "The employee had no contact with anyone from WWE since being exposed to those two individuals, is doing well, and made a complete recovery."

In other words, the league will carry on with regularly scheduled wrestling events on closed sets, with essential personnel only.

That's what the WWE's been doing for several weeks now ... to some criticism.

WWE Superstar Big Show says he felt 100% safe being in the squared-circle during the coronavirus pandemic ... and tells TMZ Sports he's ready for more action!!!

Of course, the legend wrestled new WWE champ Drew McIntyre on Monday Night Raw earlier this week -- the day after McIntyre beat Brock Lesnar.

Given the current state of the world, we asked Big Show if he felt comfortable taking part in the event ... and the simple answer? Hell yes.

"Absolutely, 100%," Big Show tells us ... pointing out WWE is being extremely cautious every step of the way while still putting on a show for fans.

"I think it's a win-win for everyone."

And, when Big Show isn't wrasslin' with superstars, he tells us he's spending some of his free time helping his friend who can't go outside by taking care of the landscaping!!

"In this time of uncertainty and these stressful times, there's stuff I try to help out friends. I can cut grass, I can move tree debris up from the back of the yard."

"At least when that person is for whatever reason they have to stay in the house, they can look outside and see the yard looks good."

If that's not enough, we also talked to the new TV star about his successful sitcom, "The Big Show Show" ... and he has nothing but kind words for his castmates and the people who made it happen ... especially the fans tuning in!!

The WWE is moving forward with "SmackDown" and "Raw" -- and they've sent out a memo to wrestlers and staffers telling them how they plan to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.

We're told WWE honchos were so happy with the way things went down at WrestleMania over the weekend, they plan on using a similar protocol for the upcoming events including "SmackDown" on Friday and "Raw" on Monday.

Both events will take place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando -- just like 'Mania -- with a medical team screening EVERYONE before they can walk in the door.

The email outlines protocol ... saying the medical team will take each individual's temperature before they enter the building -- which is expected to cause some delays -- so arrive early.

Once inside, everyone is encouraged to wear a face mask -- and if you can't get one, make one!

WWE explains how to McGyver one together by sewing fabric, wearing a bandanna or ripping off an old t-shirt sleeve. The org. does note that masks should come off when cameras are rolling.

The guidelines sound pretty similar to how the WWE handled WrestleMania this weekend ... remember, Drew McIntyre told us he had the whole locker room to himself for some serious social distancing.

WWE superstar Drew McIntyre tells TMZ Sports ... Vince McMahon took extreme COVID-19 precautions to protect the performers at WrestleMania 36 -- saying, "I had a whole locker room to myself!"

"Everyone was following the protocol to a T," Drew said ... "They've got it down to a science, following the CDC guidelines, maybe even more precaution-wise."

McIntyre noted he's never seen so few people in the WWE Performance Center in his life.

Of course, Mania was originally slated to take place at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida in front of 80,000 screaming fans.

But, coronavirus killed those plans -- forcing WWE to relocate to their training facility in Orlando with ZERO fans in the audience.

McIntyre took on Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship -- and while he admits it was a bit weird at first to perform without fans, he adjusted quickly ... and "when my music hit, I just slipped into the zone!"

In fact, McIntyre is still so pumped about his new belt -- he busted it out during our interview ... and man, IT'S AWESOME!!!

There's more ... 34-year-old Drew also tells us why he's all the way down to fight boxing superstar Tyson Fury -- and why he's convinced he can conquer the Gypsy King!!

Great clip, great dude.

Charlotte Flair says she's feeling crazy pressure to deliver the best performance of her life at WrestleMania 36 this weekend ... especially since it could be the most-watched event in wrestling history!

Flair is taking on NXT women's champion, Rhea Ripley, during the April 4 and 5 event at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. It's one of the biggest matches of the event.

And, when Flair appeared on "TMZ Live" Friday, she told us straight-up -- "The pressure is on to deliver!"

Flair pointed out the fact there will be no live crowd at the event puts more of a focus on the wrestling performance -- and she knows she's gotta come through strong!

Also, since there's no other live sporting events due to the pandemic -- 'Mania could attract a record number of viewers.

"This might be the most-watched WrestleMania!"

There's more ... Flair also talked about Rob Gronkowski's involvement -- and while she respects the hell out of him, she's keeping it real about her in-ring expectations from the NFL superstar.

"I have a lot of respect for Gronk for what he's done with his athletic career but I always say this ... just because you're a talented athlete does not mean you're going to succeed in the ring."

"I'm so excited to have him as part of the team but I have no idea what his in-ring career will look like."

Earlier this week, we spoke with Charlotte's dad, Ric Flair, about Mania ... and yeah, HE'S FIRED UP! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Ric Flair says he's "more than content" with the COVID-19 safety measures the WWE has implemented for WrestleMania 36 -- and trusts Vince McMahon to look out for his daughter's health.

Of course, Mania is set to go down (without fans) this weekend in a virtually empty WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida ... due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And, while at least one WWE superstar has pulled out over health concerns, Ric tells TMZ Sports the wrestling org. is doing everything they can to protect the 'Mania performers, which includes his own superstar daughter, Charlotte Flair.

"I'm more than content that they have put enough safety measure in place." Flair says.

"Keep in mind, they also gave everybody an opportunity to not be part of it. So, anybody that was there, nobody had their arm twisted. It was strictly a voluntary basis."

Flair says the wrestlers are STOKED for WM36 -- explaining, "They worked their whole year, actually some of them work their whole career to be in a high level match in Wrestle Mania."

"Obviously there's gonna be some changes but it's gonna be a great show."

Plus, Nature Boy says he's sick of listening to all of the NFL offseason news dominating the sports media recently ... he's ready for some action already!

"Hey listen, I'm tired of hearing about Tom Brady and that Buccaneers. I'm tired of hearing about Tua, ok?! Let's talking about something that's really taking place!"

WWE superstar Roman Reigns has reportedly pulled out of WrestleMania 36 -- and it's all over serious health concerns connected to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 34-year-old was supposed to wrestle Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship during the April 4 and 5 event -- but due to his recent cancer battle, he ultimately decided it was too risky, according to ProWrestlingSheet.

Reigns told WWE he's immunocompromised from the cancer fight -- and didn't feel comfortable performing with the looming threat of COVID-19.

FYI, Reigns -- real name Leati "Joe" Anoaʻi -- was first diagnosed with leukemia back in 2007 and beat it. But, it reared its ugly head again in 2018.

Reigns returned to WWE in early 2019 and he's been on fire ever since.

WWE has taken drastic measures to protect the wrestlers at WrestleMania -- which will take place April 4 and 5 at the WWE Performance Center in Florida without fans in the building.

Rob Gronkowski has a lot to smile about during the coronavirus pandemic ... the retired NFL superstar's teeth whitening business has seen a MASSIVE increase in sales ... and now he's paying it forward.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Snow -- which is part-owned by Gronk and UFC legend Chuck Liddell -- has been inundated with orders for the teeth whitening kits since the outbreak.

Josh Elizetxe tells us sales have increased by 240% and the orders are still coming in strong  -- most likely due to an influx in video chatting while people work from home.

"We are shipping around the clock from Arizona to our customers’ doorsteps to help them feel more confident for those video calls and social distance selfies," Elizetxe tells us.

But, all the profits ain't going to line pockets -- Snow has decided to donate proceeds to help smaller businesses survive during the pandemic.

Gronk tells us ... "I'm excited that we as a company have decided to donate proceeds from every order on TrySnow.com to small businesses across America affected by COVID-19."