WWE continued filming episodes of Raw and SmackDown around Wrestlemania while all the other sports entertainment outlets stopped productions. But they won’t be able to tape at the Orange County in Florida, where the Performance Center and Full Sail University are located due to the “stay at home” order into effect from this past Thursday night onwards to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
WWE Cancels Events Through April; Tours To Begin From May Onward
WWE made sure that they tape the needful episodes before that mandate was issued that remains intact until April 9th. WWE is expected to continue taping at the Performance Center and Full Sail without an audience for the post-WrestleMania episodes.
How WWE Is Protecting Themselves From A Shutdown Around Wrestlemania 36?
All the pre-Mania shows alongside the Raw after Mania have already been taped from the PC which won’t create any problem in their regular broadcasting on USA Network and FOX.
Ryan Satin revealed WWE has already filmed matches for the April 6 post-WrestleMania 36 edition of RAW. PWInsider.com then confirmed the post-WrestleMania edition of SmackDown on FOX will be taped on April 10. The current ban will be lifted one day prior to that and the company may not have to skip any regular episodes if everything remains in order.
In Pictures: WWE Superstar Nikki Bella Shares Naked 21st Week Pregnancy Selfie
The source also noted that it’s confirmed that the April 8 WWE NXT episode was also taped this past week. That episode will feature a Women’s Ladder Match to crown a new number one contender to NXT Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley.
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Johnny Gargano will also go down in an “empty building” somewhere, as per the announcements of Triple H. NXT programming won’t also be delayed by any means.
Overall, WWE has not faced much headache as they continue to broadcast delayed tapings instead of, live telecasts. As for WrestleMania, most of the matches were taped from the Performance Center whereas the gimmick matches may have taken place at the Full Sail University.
The Boneyard Match between AJ Styles and The Undertaker, the Last Man Standing Match between Edge and Randy Orton or the Firefly Funhouse Match between John Cena and The Fiend Bray Wyatt are amongst them.