From the WWE Rumor Mill: WWE to bring fans 100,000 seat event in 2018
What’s the story?
As reported by The Sportster, the WWE is likely to bring fans a 100,000-seat event in 2018.
Apparently, WWE is presently in negotiations to organize a show at The MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground)—with the show likely to take place this later this year. Besides, further details on the same have also been noted.
In case you didn’t know…
The WWE time and again puts forth several television tapings, PPVs and house shows that are attended by thousands of fans the world over.
However, the 100,000 seat mark is one that not many promotions in sports-entertainment hit on a consistent basis.
The heart of the matter
The WWE broke the attendance record for any event promoted by the company, when Wrestlemania 32 in Dallas, Texas attendance saw 101,763 fans attend the Show of Shows in 2016. On the other hand, Wrestlemania 3, which took place in Pontiac, Michigan drew 93,173 fans, whereas Wrestlemania 29 in East Rutherford, New Jersey saw 80,676 fans attend the event.
Reports suggest that the WWE and MCG are currently in negotiations to reach a deal so as to put forth a WWE event at The MCG this year, and although an NXT Takeover event was pitched by the WWE, the belief is that the event may not be enough to sell out the 100,000-seat venue.
Nevertheless, it’s being noted that none of the WWE’s “Big 4” events are likely to take place at The MCG, as the 2018 Royal Rumble took place last month, Wrestlemania 34 takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana, SummerSlam in Brooklyn, New York and Survivor Series in Los Angeles, California. Besides, the venues for the remaining WWE PPVs have also been confirmed.
However, experts believe that with a live event or NXT Takeover show not being enough to sell out The MCG, the WWE could introduce a new PPV—promoted as a special attraction—particularly given the fact that WWE recently announced that all PPVs are set to be dual-branded again after Wrestlemania 34 and a few previously scheduled 2018 PPVs have been cancelled.
What’s next?
The WWE’s next PPV will be RAW-brand exclusive, as Elimination Chamber takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 25th.
With the top Australian WWE Superstars being Buddy Murphy, The Iconic Duo (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce) and TM-61 (Shane Thorne & Nick Miller)—up-and-comers who’re yet to break through as stars—the WWE is expected to face a stiff challenge in selling out the 100,000-seat MCG venue.
Author’s take
The WWE needs to be calculated when it comes to putting on such a huge show.
Granted that WWE is indeed the world’s premier pro-wrestling/sports-entertainment promotion, however, the lack of Aussie stars or rather the fact that the aforementioned Australian Superstars aren’t exactly top-tier competitors in the WWE, will make filling out The MCG a challenging task.