WWE broadcast SmackDown from the Performance Center with no crowd or audience members

This week’s WWE SmackDown was a surreal experience with no audience members or crowd in the arena.

WWE had to also make a last-minute location change after the breakout of the coronavirus in the United States.

WWE confirmed that this week’s SmackDown episode would take place in the Performance Center. They also added that no crowd or audience members would be allowed to attend the show.

It was a weird feeling seeing the empty chairs in the arena and it just didn’t feel right. There were some decent matches on show however, the card was affected by the travel restrictions.

One major problem was filling up the two-hour show with WWE deciding to play the Elimination Chamber tag team title match.

The lack of a crowd also affected the atmosphere and some interesting angles didn’t have the same impact.

Daniel Bryan formed a team with his rival Drew Gulak and the pair had to fight off Cesaro, Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura.

John Cena and Bray Wyatt also were great on the microphone as they prepared for their WrestleMania bout.

Jeff Hardy made a winning return to SmackDown by defeating Baron Corbin, but one major star had to miss out on the show.

Paige’s travel restrictions

The pandemic has played havoc to travel plans across the world, and the WWE stars were also affected by this.

Paige was expected to return to SmackDown and throw down a challenge to Bayley. However, the British star posted on Twitter that she couldn’t make the trip and the match-up was changed.

Bayley and Sasha Banks fought Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross with the heels picking up the win thanks to Asuka.

Paige hasn’t wrestled in WWE for almost two years, and a return before WrestleMania would have been amazing.

However, it is important to note that the health of the wrestlers and fans has to be a top priority.

It will be interesting to see what happens ahead of WrestleMania 36. Raw on Monday should go ahead with no crowd and could take place at the Performance Center too.

WrestleMania is a month away, but it is unlikely that the show can go ahead with any audience members or crowd given the current coronavirus condition.

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