Years Ago, There Was a Dangerous Herpes Outbreak At WWE NXT

In WWE, there are times when an outbreak of certain diseases occurs. It can happen in gyms and athletic environments. The goal for every sports organization is to keep everyone safe. Well, in WWE years ago, it was revealed that there was a severe outbreak that happened in NXT. The outbreak that occurred involved a disease called Herpes.

How Did This Herpes Outbreak Get Revealed?

This bit of information was revealed by former WWE superstars Mandy Rose and Tino Sabbatelli. Both have their own podcast titled the “Power Alphas” podcast. They are a real-life married couple and always tell stories about their careers in pro wrestling and their current lives. In their latest episode, Rose and Sabbatelli discussed an outbreak during their days wrestling in WWE’s NXT brand. Rose said the following quote regarding that situation:

“Then we had to clean the rings in NXT, because there was a herpes outbreak. I don’t even know if everyone knows that one. Remember Daria (Sonya Deville) had the Ninja Turtles thing on with the vacuum. I think this is the beautiful thing, too, that I get why they do this for most people, as well as because there’s always, you know, a bottom. You always have to work your way out. But things have changed a lot in WWE.”

Sabbatelli in the podcast did not even want to be reminded of that situation, and it reminded him of an awkward time. Nobody should blame him because Herpes is no joke whatsoever. In fact, as of 2025, there is no cure for Herpes.

The Wrestlers Also Had To Clean the Rings As Well

The wrestlers themselves had to wrestle in those rings while the outbreak was going on. They would then have to clean them in the aftermath of their training. It is crazy to think that WWE forced the wrestlers themselves to clean the rings during the outbreak, but it was a move for the new trainees to pay their dues in the business. Rose believed there was another reason why WWE forced the wrestlers to clean the rings. They wanted them to be humbled as well.

Final Thoughts

It must have been a super scary time for everyone involved in NXT during that time. With the outbreak going on, everybody had to be safe when getting into the ring. It is more stunning that this outbreak never got reported or revealed while it was going on. This was not the news WWE needed after the solid Triplemania XXXIII show that happened last night.

WWE did its best to keep it a secret, and it took many years before one person spoke up about it. Ironically, the person who first spoke on this was Rose, who left WWE on bad terms. This situation is terrifying, and thank goodness WWE got the outbreak cleared up. This situation could have been far worse.