WWE to stage SmackDown without an audience, is ‘committed’ to WrestleMania

WWE is moving SmackDown to its Performance Center, but still currently plans to hold WrestleMania 36 in Tampa.

While the majority of major sports leagues have either suspended or canceled their seasons amid the growing threat of the coronavirus outbreak, WWE is one of the few organizations that plans to continue with event broadcasts for the time being.

WWE announced on Thursday that SmackDown, which was scheduled to be held at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Friday, will be moved and staged at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando with only essential personnel in attendance. WWE has not yet made an announcement regarding its plans for what was set to be a special “3/16” episode of Monday Night Raw in Pittsburgh, featuring the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin.

March has always been a crucial period for WWE, as the brand builds toward its annual showcase event, WrestleMania. WrestleMania 36 is scheduled for April 5th at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, and in a statement released on Thursday, WWE said it still plans to hold WrestleMania 36, but is planning for the possibility that it is canceled.

Via ESPN:

“While we remain committed to hosting WrestleMania at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, April 5, we are putting contingency plans in place in the event that it is cancelled by government officials, civil authorities and/or local venues. The health and safety of our fans, performers and employees are our top priorities and we are monitoring the situation closely with our partners and government officials in Tampa Bay.”

At a meeting of the Hillsborough Emergency Policy Group on Thursday, Tampa’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities were postponed, but a decision on WrestleMania 36 is expected to come next week.

Via Fox13:

“Tampa Mayor Jane Castor deferred to the Hillsborough Emergency Policy Group — of which she is a member — to decide on the future of major events. 

‘We’ve got the luxury of time on our hands for some of the larger events as well. We don’t have to take immediate action for events that are occurring weeks down the road.'”

Florida governor Ron DeSantis recommended on Thursday that all mass gatherings in the state be postponed.

Via WTXL:

“I am recommending local municipalities and private entities to strongly consider limiting or postponing mass gatherings in the state of Florida,” the governor said. “This is an opportunity, our health officials believe, where some of these large-scale events can be postponed and do it later.”

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