It has been called “the showcase of the immortals” and the “grandest stage of them all”. WWE’s WrestleMania is wrestling’s most important show of the year. This is where story lines end and superstars’ legacies are made.

Last year’s WrestleMania 35, which took place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, had an attendance of over 82,000 people. There the crowd witnessed the first ever women’s main event match at Wrestlemania. This was a triple threat match between the then Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey, Smackdown’s Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and the Royal Rumble winner Becky Lynch.

The plans for the 36th edition of Wrestlemania was supposed to take place on April 5th of this year at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Unfortunately due to the current coronavirus pandemic, they have been forced to change their plans.

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According to a statement from WWE, Wrestlemania will still take place on April 5th. But because of the current restrictions on gatherings, they have moved it to their WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. It will still be live on WWE Network and pay-per-view on the 5th at 7pm ET, but there will be no crowds. Only “essential personnel” will be allowed on the closed set.

Along with the main show being cancelled, that the events that usually take place the week of Wrestlemaina have also been cancelled. Here is the full statement that WWE posted on their site earlier today:

WrestleMania Update

In coordination with local partners and government officials, WrestleMania and all related events in Tampa Bay will not take place. However, WrestleMania will still stream live on Sunday, April 5 at 7 pm ET on WWE Network and be available on pay-per-view. Only essential personnel will be on the closed set at WWE’s training facility in Orlando, Florida to produce WrestleMania.

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As a wrestling fan I think this is a horrible idea. While appreciate “the show must go on” mentality, this is something that needs the crowd. What is Daniel Bryan’s “YES” chant without the crowd? Or Just as simple of hearing the crowd pop when their favorite wrestler’s theme hits. If you want to see what that looks like you need to not look any further than last weeks SmackDown! or tonights episode of RAW.

What are your thoughts of Vince’s move for WrestleMania? Let us know in the comment section below!

WWE’s WrestleMania 36 will take place on April 5th, 2020 at the WWE Performance Center. You can watch it live on the WWE Network or pay-per-view.

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Source: WWE