WWE

Bad news for ex-UFC champ Cain Velasquez ... he's been released from his WWE contract as part of a cost-slashing effort due to COVID-19.

The former UFC heavyweight champ first signed with WWE back in October 2019 -- and the company had high hopes for Cain -- posting on WWE.com that he signed a "multi-year deal."

But, Velasquez hasn't really had a presence in the WWE universe since he was destroyed by Brock Lesnar at the Crown Jewel event on Oct. 31, 2019, in Saudi Arabia.

Now, with Vince McMahon's company looking to cut costs due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer says WWE has released the 37-year-old from his contract.

As we previously reported, WWE announced a massive cost-saving plan earlier this month hoping to keep the company afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic ... which includes slashing top executive salaries and furloughing part of its staff.

Velasquez has shown potential as a pro wrestler -- hopefully, this isn't the end of his journey.

Diamond Dallas Page thinks Georgia's moving too fast when it comes to reopening businesses ... so don't count on him to do it.

The pro wrestling legend tells TMZ ... he's a big fan of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. In fact, he voted for him, but he's not down with Kemp lifting much of Georgia's lockdown restrictions. On Friday, gyms, barbershops, spas and several other businesses can reopen, but DDP says he's opting to remain closed.

Instead, he says he'll err on the side of caution with his Diamond Dallas Page Yoga Performance Center in Smyrna, GA -- about 20 minutes outside Atlanta. That being said, DDP isn't blasting other business owners who will open their doors.

As he put it ... "if it works for other people, then let them do it." But, personally speaking, he's advising friends to remain home and continue to social distance until health experts get a better grip of the coronavirus.

WWE just announced a massive cost-saving plan in hopes to keep the company afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic ... which includes slashing top executive salaries and furloughing part of its staff.

Vince McMahon's company spelled out the plan to its investors -- saying they've had to do tighten up the wallet since the pandemic has had a significant impact on their business operations.

"Due to COVID-19 and current government mandated impacts on WWE and the media business generally, the Company went through an extensive evaluation of its operations over the past several weeks," WWE said.

"This analysis resulted in the implementation of various short-term cost reductions and cash flow improvement actions including:

• Reducing executive and board member compensation;
• Decreasing operating expenses;
• Cutting talent expenses, third party staffing and consulting;
• Deferring spend on the build out of the Company’s new headquarters for at least six months.

WWE says they also made the decision to "furlough a portion of its workforce effective immediately."

"The decision to furlough versus permanently reduce headcount reflects the fact that the Company currently believes the furlough will be temporary in nature."

WWE says the moves will help save the company roughly $4 MILLION per month -- "along with cash flow improvement of $140 million primarily from the deferral in spending on the Company’s new headquarters."

WWE assures its stockholders it has enough resources to continue operating -- with approximately $500 million in cash and credit.

"Management continues to believe the fundamentals of the Company’s business remain strong and that WWE is well positioned to take full advantage of the changing media landscape and increasing value of live sports rights over the longer term."

No word on which WWE staffers be part of the furlough.

Pro wrestling is "essential" to the State of Florida -- says the state governor which has allowed WWE to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

No joke. This is real.

Jerry Demings -- mayor of Orange County, Florida -- was asked Monday how the WWE Performance Center in Orlando has been allowed to stay in business while non-essential companies have been forced to close their doors.

As we previously reported, WWE has been taping at the Performance Center and plans to shoot "Raw" later today.

So, why exactly?

"I think initially there was a review that was done and they were not initially deemed an essential business,” Demings said.

"With some conversation with the Governor’s office regarding the Governor’s order, they were deemed an essential business. And so, therefore, they were allowed to remain open."

Demings did not go into detail about why the Governor's office changed its stance on WWE.

For their part, WWE tells us the health and safety of talent and staff is their top priority, saying ... “We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times."

"We are producing content on a closed set with only essential personnel in attendance following appropriate guidelines while taking additional precautions to ensure the health and wellness of our performers and staff. As a brand that has been woven into the fabric of society, WWE and its Superstars bring families together and deliver a sense of hope, determination and perseverance.”

Remember, WWE confirmed a performer has tested positive for COVID-19 -- but they believe that person caught it from medical workers. WWE also says the performer has recovered and they do not believe he or she spread it to other WWE personnel.

Demings addressed that situation on Monday.

“In terms of the specifics associated with the wrestling personality who tested positive, I don’t know any of the details of that obviously because of HIPAA laws," Demings said.

"But, that’s like a little family. A small family of professional athletes that wrestle. And, if one of my family members tested positive in my house, that would be concerning to me."

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.