SmackDown cancelled in Detroit, moved to Performance Center

[Norrin Radd]

It was reported on Wednesday night, via PWInsider, that Friday's WWE TV tapings scheduled for the Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit, Michigan were being nixed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The report stated that this week's SmackDown on FOX and this week's 205 Live on the WWE Network would instead air from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Besides the report from PWInsider, multiple readers in the Detroit area have reported that local news stated the same thing, but we've yet to see those local reports.

In an update, WWE issued a statement late tonight and denied that SmackDown in Detroit was being cancelled. They did say that they are putting contingency plans in place. The following statement was issued to ESPN's Marc Raimondi:


“WWE has not cancelled Friday Night SmackDown in Detroit, however, based on the current situation, we are putting contingency plans in place in the event that upcoming WWE shows are cancelled by government officials, civil authorities and/or local venues."

WWE's statement was issued within an hour of the original report on the cancellation. PWInsider's original report noted that an official announcement on the change was to be released soon, but we got the aforementioned statement from WWE instead.

Stay tuned for updates on the situation. You can click here for news on President Trump's 30-day travel ban that will impact WrestleMania 36 visitors, and click here for news on a potential major WrestleMania 36 coronavirus announcement that could come on Thursday afternoon. You can also click here to see what Sheamus and Sasha Bankshad to say about the COVID-19 pandemic.

WWE Statement Denying SmackDown Changes Due To Coronavirus, Contingency Plans Confirmed - Wrestling Inc.

 

[Amare's Right Hook]

You think you know me......

Edge cures the virus, retires on top

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

WWE is actually in a better position than most. They can run programs from the performance center and use the Florida trainees as a plant audience for NWA like studio shows...

 

[Henzo]

dudes hitting up these events like

 

[MenacingMonk]

Might actually watch it to see how the main product is in an indy-like atmosphere.

If the beards actually make a product come off decent...

 

[Rell Lauren]

Imagine Wrestlemania live from the performance center

Empty arena match. That set has been completed already. That's too much of a cost to eat.

 

[dh86]

They can’t hold shyt at LCA since the Jazz played here Saturday. I’m sure someone will be using that visitors locker room. I was supposed to go for my birthday weekend but the Pistons started tanking

 

[The Intergalactic Koala]

Soon WWE will be on that Real Steel shyt. We really out here living day by day like a movie/anime.

 

[Norrin Radd]

 

[The Rainmaker]

I wouldn't like to be close to Vince right now You know he fought until the last minute to run the show.

Will check IndyDown to see what's up

 

[Dave24]

Imagine Wrestlemania live from the performance center

 

[Black White Sox Hat]

Studio Rasslin

 

[HYDRO]

Yooooo AEW Dynamite from the PWG venue