Report: WWE Filming Upcoming Raw & SmackDown LIVE At Performance Center
Pre-taped WWE shows are no more, it seems.
It looks like WWE's brief pre-taped show era is coming to an end - at least for now.
WrestleVotes are reporting that the 10 April episode of SmackDown and 13 April Raw will broadcast live from an empty Performance Center in Orlando, Florida:-
WWE had switched to a pre-taped format prior to WrestleMania 36. With the threat of lockdown looming, the idea was seemingly to get as much content in the can before statewide governance made it impossible for them to continue. Florida officials issued a stay-at-home order to commence on the same day WWE ceased filming.
It's thought that WWE captured enough footage to last through last night's Raw after WrestleMania, though Florida's latest stay-at-home order lasts through 30 April. Per Forbes, it "effectively restricts the movement of nearly all Florida citizens not deemed to be providing essential services or conducting essential activities," so it'll be interesting to see how WWE gets around it - if they're able to at all.
It had previously been reported that WWE planned on filming this week's SmackDown at a secret location. This wouldn't have been such a "secret" had the show aired live from the Performance Center.