Backstage Update On WWE Bringing Live Fans To The ThunderDome

WWE's ThunderDome is empty at the moment, but are live audiences on their way to Tropicana Field?

by Andy H Murray
WWE Thunderdome
WWE

The Toronto Raptors welcoming around 3,200 fans to Orlando, Florida's Amway Center for NBA pre-season games could open the door for WWE bringing live audiences to its new Tropicana Field home.

WWE recently relocated from the Anway Center to the St. Petersburg, FL baseball stadium, with last week's SmackDown serving as the first broadcast from the new location. As previously reported, Vince McMahon's promotion want a live crowd for Royal Rumble 2021 in January, so the Raptors' move could prompt WWE to take their own action.

Toronto's first attended game is against the Miami Heat on 18 December. Capacity will be increased to around 3,800 for regular season games after that, though floor seats and others within 30ft of the basketball court wont be made available. WWE may opt for a similar approach.

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WWE currently invites a select number of audience members to attend NXT at the Capitol Wrestling Center every week, though it would presumably want more for something like the Royal Rumble. Technically, the company has been able to bring audiences back for a while now, with state Governor Ron DeSantis dropping restrictions related to the ongoing global health crisis in September.

 
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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.