WWE & AEW Considering Empty Arena Shows Due To Coronavirus?

American promotions prepared to take extreme measures to battle the outbreak.

By Andy H Murray /

WWE

Are empty arena wrestling shows about to become a reality as the coronavirus' threat grows in North America? There's a strong chance, apparently.

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Today's episode of Wrestling Observer Radio began with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussing the outbreak and its impact on big social gatherings. As part of this, Meltzer stated that both WWE and AEW have talked about the possibility of holding shows in empty arenas depending on how the virus progress, adding that the promotions would be negligent not to consider it.

For context, Meltzer stated that every single MLB is preparing for this possibility. He believes that WrestleMania could be the last thing to go down this route and if 'The Showcase of the Immortals' ends up playing out to an empty Raymond James Stadium, everything will.

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Japanese promotions like DDT and Stardom have already taken to holding shows in empty buildings. WWE is reportedly monitoring the coronavirus situation, with Stephanie McMahon commenting on it at a WrestleMania 36 luncheon the other week, though a recent WWE statement claimed that 'Mania would go ahead as planned and that the promotion had no plans to cancel any upcoming events.