Wrestlemania, the biggest sporting event, has been canceled amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The event which has always been WWE’s biggest show was billed to take place on April 5, 2020, in Tampa Bay, but in an announcement made yesterday, the company announced its cancellation, revealing that it will now be live-streamed.
The statement reads:
“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.”
The entertainment brand already moved its March 13 episode of SmackDown and yesterday’s episode of Monday Night Raw to their Orlando training center, removing the live audience.
Other shows that have suffered the same fate as a result of COVID-19 include Last Week Tonight and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
This year’s Wrestlemania will be the first of its kind owing to the absence of fans (who are called the WWE Universe) as they are responsible for the electrifying atmosphere.
Chants, boos, and cheers which typically accompany superstars as they enter the ring and contend with opponents will be sorely be missed.
