A new report has stated that WWE might be heading back on the road as early as this summer as the road to post-pandemic life becomes clearer.
Dave Metzer of the Wrestling Observer has said in his most recent newsletter that there had been “hints” within the company that they were targeting a June return to their touring schedule. However, it was also said the WWE Superstars were given an August date with the possibility of that being as early as late July.
Meltzer also noted that the date might be moved up depending on what AEW does. Although WWE reportedly doesn’t want to rush a return to having fans at arenas they also don’t want AEW getting there first. AEW has taken up a residence at Daily’s Place which is adjacent to TIAA Bank Field which is the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags are also owned by the Khan family with Tony Khan being a Senior Vice President of the NFL team.
Moving Out Of The ThunderDome?
Meltzer also brings up that both WWE and AEW could be holding sold-out shows in arenas in Florida and Texas already. However, it is also noted that there may be a lack of fans ready to return to indoor shows with no social distancing enforced.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down WWE’s touring schedule they have found homes at various venues. Initially, the company worked out of the Performance Center in Orlando, even holding WrestleMania 36 in 2020 there. NXT has kept its home there in the guise of the Capitol Wrestling Center.
WWE moved Raw and SmackDown production to Amway Center in the last quarter of 2020. This was where the initial WWE ThunderDome was based. They then moved to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida before moving into the Yuengling Center in April 2021.