After close to six months from only filming out of the WWE Performance Center, things are changing. SummerSlam and and upcoming shows have a new home. Also, WWE has some unique tricks up their sleeves to increase ratings.
Location For SummerSlam & Future WWE Shows, Big Changes Set
After seeing other professional sports leagues bring in virtual fans, the WWE is looking into it.
SummerSlam will take place from the Amway Center in Orlando, which is near the WWE Performance Center. That has been the home to WWE events for the past several months due to the coronavirus.
However, with the move to the Amway Center, the WWE wants to take things up a notch despite not being able to bring in real fans yet. According to F4Wonline, if there is a real audience, they will be contracted WWE talent like have been seen on recent programming.
The Amway Center is home to both the NBA Orlando Magic and pro hockey team. They have not held a live event in recent months, but have been offering fans a chance to be a virtual fan for Magic basketball games in the NBA “Bubble.”
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In the past, the Amway Center has hosted numerous sporting events and live concerts.
PWInsider has reported that the arena could be home to future WWE tapings after SummerSlam. As of now, WWE has already started moving their equipment from the Performance Center to the Amway Center.
WWE Has Some Unique Plans
The use of virtual fans has been present in major league baseball games that have been broadcast on FOX since the MLB returned to live action.
With ratings being low all round, WWE is going the extra distance to bring viewership up. Here are a few more rumors going around about WWE’s new temporary home.
I’ve heard the wrestlers in the ring will likely be able to hear audio from the virtual crowd as well, which means there might be actual audience interaction again to a certain degree. https://t.co/OTvoR5blkJ
— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) August 14, 2020
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter also chimney in with some more designs for the big change.
“They are looking at doing virtual fans in attendance like baseball and basketball has been doing. There has been talk that the darkness and size of the current building they believe is one of the things that has hurt the ratings. The plan is for a bigger production crew, and more bells and whistles as far as that goes than they can do at the Performance Center.”
SummerSlam takes place August 23 on WWE Network. Therefore, WWE needs to move quickly to get everything ready.
Original SummerSlam Plans Included Boston
The TD Garden in Boston was originally scheduled to host the event. However, the city announced no large-scale gatherings before September 7. It is highly unlikely the WWE would have brought everyone that far, anyway, just to hold one event.
#SummerSlam will no longer take place in Boston. Refunds are available at the original point of purchase. We are grateful to the city of Boston for their partnership and look forward to holding WWE events at @tdgarden in the future.
FULL UPDATE: https://t.co/vfWjNxQUbK pic.twitter.com/mddLpGctdK
— WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2020
Many consider SummerSlam one of the marquee events since its debut in 1988. The company typically uses it as a starting point towards the next WrestleMania.
Braun Strowman defends his Universal title against Bray Wyatt in a featured bout. Also, the WWE title will be on the line as Drew McIntyre faces Randy Orton.
Bayley will defend her SmackDown women’s title and Sasha Banks her Raw women’s belt in two other high profile match.
