World Wrestling Entertainment is among those feeling the smackdown from coronavirus.

WWE's Friday live "Smackdown" event at Little Caesars Arena is off, the company said in a statement Thursday, after originally disputing reports it would be canceled.

WWE said the event would be moved it its training facility in Orlando, Fla., and air live from there, with only "essential personnel" in attendance.

WWE said refunds to the Detroit show are available at the point of purchase.

Tickets were still being sold via Ticketmaster.com on Wednesday night.

The show is the first WWE live event to be affected by the viral outbreak.

WWE is currently building toward its flagship annual event, WrestleMania, which is scheduled to take place April 5 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. There is no word yet on how, or if, WrestleMania will be affected by COVID-19.

Little Caesars Arena already has seen Saturday's scheduled Zac Brown Band concert postponed.

As of Wednesday night, several upcoming LCA events still were scheduled, including Sunday's Yo Gotti and Da Baby concert, Nick Cannon's Wild 'N Out Live (March 19) and concerts by Blake Shelton (March 21) and Billie Eilish (March 23).

agraham@detroitnews.com

@grahamorama