WWE Set For 100,00 Seat PPV This Year?
Company has eyes on Melbourne.
According to the Melbourne's Herald-Sun newspaper, WWE has reportedly secured a deal with the Australian city's 100,000 seater Melbourne Cricket Ground for a show later this year.
The paper was non-committal on when the event will occur, but suggested October as the likely time-frame. Additionally, the Herald-Sun also reported that the show - negotiated via Melbourne's Visit Victoria tourist board - will be a pay-per-view offering as opposed to an enlarged tour date.
The article went on to speculate that WWE plan to feature the likes of John Cena, Rey Mysterio, and The Undertaker in an effort to attract a capacity attendance to the 100,000 seat stadium. The Undertaker being touted is curious, given he's effectively 'retired' as of writing; a potential October booking could hint at a return to the ring - possibly as soon as WrestleMania. Mysterio's name likewise raises eyebrows, as he is not currently under contract with the organisation, but his is available for one-off bookings as a free agent.
WWE's last visit to Melbourne came as part of an Australian tour in 2016, during which a show headlined by John Cena vs. AJ Styles drew 10,500 fans to the Rod Laver Arena. Back in 2002, the group pulled 55,000 punters to city's Docklands Stadium for a house show featuring The Rock vs. Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar.
If the company were to draw a full house to the MCG, it would legitimately break their attendance record - estimated at 97,769 for WrestleMania 32 in Arlington's AT&T Stadium. Obviously, it wouldn't eclipse WWE's fictionalised figured of 101,763, which is a shame, as 100,000 actual fans would be quite an achievement.
Further details on the show are expected to be announced during WrestleMania 34 on 8 April.