For the first time in sixteen months, WWE returned to the road, kicking off their live event loop in Pittsburgh, PA.
One of the most interesting parts of the COVID-19 pandemic, was the announcement deeming professional wrestling an essential business. This means that throughout the trying times of COVID-19, WWE and other wrestling promotions, were still permitted to run shows. So the biggest company in sports entertainment hunkered down in Florida, and produced crowd-less, pre-taped shows from the WWE Performance Center. This went on for the first few months of the pandemic before the company debuted a virtual crowd system called “The Thunderdome.” While everyone worked their butts off, and content never ceased, the lack of crowds and in-person fans put a dampener on the raw excitement of wrestling shows and events. Even lifelong fans, and fans who dream of becoming wrestlers themselves, turned away from the business and lost interest. One phrase rang out amongst the internet community of wrestling fans: “it’s just not the same anymore.” With every difficult time comes a light at the end of the tunnel however, and summer 2021 is looking to be the reset WWE needs. The global roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine presents opportunities to businesses and the world, to open up and get back to normal. This allows WWE and its superstars to safely head back out onto the road.
This past Saturday I used my fully vaccinated privileges, and made my way down to PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA, where WWE kicked off their first live event loop since the start of the pandemic. Walking through the arena doors, finding my seat, I have never experienced a feeling like that in my life. After hearing the cheers and seeing genuine excitement pouring off of every single person in that building, it became very evident to me that a live crowd is vital to the success of professional wrestling. The highlight of the event of course, was the presence of John Cena. Little kids all over the place, decked head-to-toe in their “Cenation” gear, sat with their just as excited parents, astonished by the fact that the 16 time World Champion was actually in the building. Even though I could not see him (ha ha), Cena’s attendance added an extra level of exhilaration to the already buzzed, nearly sold out arena. The noises did not fail or falter all night. Appropriate cheers and boos rumbled out all night as wrestling fans used their voices once again. This was just the beginning. WWE will be on the road all summer, marking the end of the wrestling pandemic. The dull in wrestling has disappeared, and as fans return to buildings, other fans return to their televisions. It is no secret that the superstars thrive under a live crowd, and shows are bound to become more entertaining as spectators get louder and louder. WWE’s grand return to touring brings hope and thrill to wrestling aficionados all over the world.
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