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AEW intends to resume its “Dynamite” show on TNT live starting this week.
The UFC isn’t the only event in town this week in Jacksonville, Florida.
While UFC 249 is just three days away, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is resuming operations and airing their Dynamite show live on TNT on Wednesday from Daily’s Place. They had previously filmed episodes of their show there back in March, prior to Florida’s stay-at-home order which initially forbade sporting events and other non-essential businesses from operating. Now that Florida has deemed sports with a national audience “essential,” they’re back in Jacksonville after previously recording several shows in Georgia.
What makes this week’s event all the more notable is that AEW personnel are apparently staying at the same hotel as fighters and staff for UFC 249, per ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
Two major events are happening in Jacksonville this week: UFC 249 and AEW tapings.
Coincidentally, all fighters/wrestlers and personnel for both orgs are staying at the same hotel in Jacksonville, I’m told. That could make for a fun time.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 6, 2020
Jacksonville’s Chief Administrative Officer Brian Hughes told Luke Thomas that all sporting events — including pro wrestling — would need to have COVID-19 testing. The UFC has already outlined its safety procedures for its upcoming shows, and headliner Tony Ferguson provided evidence of COVID-19 testing.
AEW president Tony Khan tweeted on Wednesday that all personnel (himself included) have tested negative for COVID-19, so it looks like its all systems go for the upstart pro wrestling promotion.
#AEWDynamite is live tonight on TNT at 8pm ET/7CT! I’ve tested negative for COVID as have all wrestlers & staff here, we’re taking best precautions possible & it’ll be a great show with the debut of Matt Hardy teaming w/ Kenny Omega v. Jericho & Guevara, + @JonMoxley v. Kazarian! pic.twitter.com/Kh56Drk5I4
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) May 6, 2020