WWE Face Backlash After The Fiend No-Shows Live Event
Is WWE guilty of false advertising here?
"Card subject to change" is a permanent disclaimer in WWE, where advanced lineups are no guarantee of what will go down on the night and plans seemingly change on a whim, though that hasn't stopped fans from accusing the promotion of false advertising after a SmackDown house show in Elmira, New York this weekend.
Yesterday's Figure Four Online Daily Update saw Dave Meltzer write that the event drew multiple complaints because 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt wasn't in the house. Per the report, Wyatt's appearance was heavily advertised in local media and emails hyping the show, with some going out as late as Thursday (the show was on Saturday), with Bray set to wrestle The Miz in the night's main event. A television commercial was even built around the idea of 'The Fiend' coming to the town.
Wyatt, however, wasn't there. The card was reconfigured and the planned headliner was scrapped.
This must have been a disappointing experience for anyone who'd paid money specifically to see 'The Fiend,' and that "card is subject to change" likely appeared on most promotional materials will be of scant consolation. Either way, it's unlikely that this practice will change.