WWE SmackDown In Trouble Tonight? Wrestlers Unable To Make It

Hurricane Ian's detrimental impact on wrestling may continue with WWE SmackDown tonight.

WWE SmackDown set
WWE

Several wrestlers previously booked for tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown won't be able to travel to the show as a result of Hurricane Ian.

This is per Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer had reported earlier this week that WWE was "very worried" about the show, specifically with Florida-based talent travelling to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada given the disruptions Ian has brought to their home state. Now, the Observer confirms that some Orlando-based talent won't make it.

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida as a category 4 storm on Wednesday, leaving over two million households and businesses without power. It already had a considerable impact on wrestling, prompting multiple changes on this week's AEW Dynamite, as well as forcing WWE to cancel a couple of NXT house shows.

Advertisement

WWE shuttered the Performance Center in Orlando as a consequence of Hurricane Ian. Meltzer writes, fortunately, that the building wasn't too badly damaged. The PC's relatively high elevation means it was spared from flooding. While there is a "lot to clean up from the hurricane", there was only minimal damage to the building.

Three matches are currently advertised for tonight's SmackDown: Shotzi vs. Bayley, Hit Row vs. Los Lotharios, and Ricochet and Madcap Moss vs. Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.