In an effort to keep things fresh, WWE is considering some creative venues for future shows. Plus, AEW gains a big win.
WWE Considering Creative Venues
There are rumblings that WWE is considering some creative venues for future shows.
Off the bat, it’s worth saying that this would not likely be for a future home of ThunderDome.
As COVID cases have been spiking all over, WWE officials have been concerned their current touring plans might be halted.
However, WWE is considering creative venues not because of that.
Instead, officials had an eye on the recent Major League Baseball “Field of Dreams” game, which took place in a corn field in Iowa.
As in, the very corn field that served as the diamond from that movie.
The setting was great, as was the game. So naturally, WWE wants to copy it.
source: custom, pwresults1 twitter screenshot
But how?
Other professional sports (and some college ones) have had creative venues. The NHL has held outdoor hockey games in football stadiums and on a golf course.
There was a college basketball game on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
So how about…RAW On The Roof?
The full rundown, courtesy of WrestleVotes:
With the success MLB had w/ the Field of Dreams game last week, WWE has begun very initial discussions about doing a few “offsite events” in 2022. Some ideas discussed within creative include: RAW on the Roof, Hammerstein Ballroom & more direct festival shows a la Rolling Loud.
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) August 17, 2021
So, some thoughts…
Hammerstein has a history with WWE (and ECW) and would be fun, though small. Some fans suggested the Manhattan Center, which WWE last used for a RAW Anniversary show.
Festival shows, I am luke warm on. For me, it brings up memories of WCW Hog/Road Wild.
Plus, the matches from Rolling Loud were terrible.
As for RAW on the roof of the WWE HQ? That iteration of Money In The Bank wasn’t good…and it would mean a limited (or possibly no) audience.
I’d probably embrace the Ballroom. Pass on the roof, however.
That said, there are some unique venues WWE could still consider.
For all it’s craziness, I always liked WCW Nitro’s Spring Break shows. The ring with the pool around it at Club La Vela was interesting, for sure.
AEW Gains Big Win
We all know that AEW debuted a new show last week. With that, AEW gains a big win of sorts.
The debut episode of AEW Rampage was in the top 3 of cable shows during it’s timeslot.
source: custom, the official Taz twitter screenshot
Ratings coverage comes to us courtesy of WrestleNomics.
AEW Rampage on Friday was watched by 740,000 viewers on average. 396,000 were aged 18-49 (0.30 rating).
Smackdown on Fox was watched by 2,084,000. In 18-49, 746,000 (0.58 rating) watched.
More details soon at https://t.co/1SscdBCpr8
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) August 16, 2021
As a bit more information, taking into account all the wrestling shows on during the week, Rampage did not draw too badly.
However, if it weren’t for Impact…Rampage would also have finished last.
It’s worth pointing out, in the grand scheme, that for it’s debut, the one hour show finished barely under NXT.
How ratings stack up for the first week with 6 weekly wrestling shows on major networks. pic.twitter.com/ZgeIVYapWA
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) August 17, 2021
When considering live, same day views? Rampage did actually do better than NXT.
Reviews for the show have been pretty good. It’s not too shocking to hear that a well-done, succinct, hour long show can work well.