10 Lessons WWE Can Learn From Its Audience-Free Shows
6. Constant Crowd Reactions Aren't A Necessary Part Of The Show
Remember how Edge's in-ring return was ruined at the Royal Rumble because the show's director decided to highlight the reaction of a slack jawed fan in the crowd rather than the WWE Hall of Famer's first Spear as an in-ring competitor in nine years? Well, that's not the first time something like that has happened and, sadly, it probably won't be the last!
With any luck, these audience-free shows in the Performance Center will help WWE realise that those of us at home don't need to know how the crowd is responding to what we're supposed to be watching on screen. The noise they generate adds to the atmosphere, but seeing the dude in Block 118, Row 4, Seat 19 eating his hot dog and pointing at himself on the screen isn't exactly must-see television.
The focus should remain on what's happening in the ring, and highlighting that in new and exciting ways. Whether it's turning off the lights like in All Elite Wrestling to focus on who is delivering a promo or just making sure we don't miss a beat of the action, this is one lesson they must take note of.