Tyson Fury was lined up for a WWE pay-per-view event in the United Kingdom against Drew McIntyre, which had to be abandoned due to the coronavirus.
Inside The Ropes reports that the wrestling organization had discussions with both McIntyre and Fury about facing each other on WWE programming, but restrictions on sporting and entertainment events have led to the spectacular being shelved.
Fury’s fame in Britain and across the world, along with McIntyre’s achievement of being the first British WWE world champion, had given the media company the chance to expand their reach in the country by hosting an event there.
McIntyre previously hinted at the possibility, telling British radio station talkSport: “This situation has affected a lot of plans, let’s just say things were looking positive and when things are looking a little bit more normal, I’ll be pushing once again because, we’re on the right path and it’s not a case of if it will happen, it’s when it will happen.
“We’ve just got to roll with the punches right now and eventually we will get that UK PPV we deserve.”
It is not clear when and where Fury will be able to fight McIntyre. The 32-year-old WBC heavyweight champion was slated to meet Deontay Wilder in his third fight with the American on December 19, but the duo’s promoters have admitted a bout is unlikely in 2020.
The lack of fans and the possibility of increased coronavirus restrictions in America, Britain and third country locations make it difficult to put on an event that would pay its way.
Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has suggested that his boxer could still fight before the end of the year, which would likely rule out a wrestling match at least until 2021, though whether it could fit in before the Joshua-Fury match-up is unclear.