Update On WWE Leaving The Amway Center/ThunderDome
NBA restart throws WWE's ThunderDome future into question.
WWE may be forced to move their ThunderDome setup from Orlando's Amway Center within the next five weeks.
As originally reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania last week, the NBA is currently targeting a 22 December start date for the upcoming 2020-21 season, for which the Orlando Magic would likely need their building back. WrestleVotes has reported that the promotion is looking at alternative locations as a result of this:-
Spectrum Sports 360's Jon Alba has sourced an amendment to WWE's contract with Orlando dated 3 September 2020, stating the Amway Center residency is to run until 24 November:-
PWInsider reported the ThunderDome's extension beyond the original October expiration a fortnight ago. WrestleVotes has also stated that WWE may not return until a regular weekend event schedule until 2022.
WWE debuted the ThunderDome on SmackDown's 21 August episode, having previously filmed at their Performance Center facility across town in Orlando. It coincided with a notable increase in viewership figures, which had plummeted at the onset of the global health crisis, and proved a popular move amongst fans tired of the PC's dingy setting.
We'll follow up with confirmation of where WWE is heading post-Amway Center once the information becomes available.