What WWE's Roster REALLY Thinks About Live Crowds Returning
Here's how UFC 261's bumper crowd inspired the WWE locker room...
The past weekend's jam-packed UFC 261 pay-per-view was a big backstage talking point during this week's WWE Raw tapings.
This is according to WrestleVotes, who report that while there aren't many people on the roster actively campaigning for WWE to bring fully-attended shows back, most believe that audiences could conceivably come back in some shape or form:-
A major topic last night backstage at RAW was the packed house over the weekend at the UFC PPV. While not many superstars are advocating for 100% capacity, nearly everyone feels as tho live crowds could return in some form at this time.
Advertisement— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) April 27, 2021
UFC 261 saw a reported 15,269 fans cram into Jacksonville, Florida's VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena for an exciting night of fights, with none of the main card bouts going the distance. Announced in March, it was the promotion's first fully-attended show since the COVID-19 pandemic's onset last year.
Company president Dana White has remained bullish in his defence of the show, which didn't require attendees to observe social distancing or wear masks. The UFC had been praised for its handling of shows in the COVID era prior to this.
WWE is yet to announce when fans will be allowed to return to its shows in greater numbers than the handful currently found in NXT's Capitol Wrestling Center. Per the Tampa Sports Authority, a total of 37,252 people attended WrestleMania 37 across its two nights earlier this month.