WWE SmackDown Smacks and Downs: Bray Wyatt fiends with no crowd

Smack: both intriguing and understandable why there were no fans

Down: felt really, really, REALLY weird with no fan involvement

This show was originally scheduled for Detroit, but shifted to the PC after many states outlawed gatherings of over 250 or so.

This isn’t the first time WWE has had an empty arena segment (The Rock vs. Mankind at Halftime Heat in 1999 the notable one). However, I believe this is the first empty arena card in WWE history.

How did it go?

I admit, I was intrigued at what the show would look and feel like. The novelty wore off quick when Bayley and Sasha Banks (and later The Miz and John Morrison) gave promos as if there was still a crowd. Miz and Morrison even went for cheap heat making fun of Orlando. I mean, really?

It was also weird seeing wrestlers try to play to the crowd during matches. Triple H (who was on commentary most of the night) remarked that both Nikki Cross and Jeff Hardy were trying to fire up the crowd; “don’t think it’s working, though.”

Hardy and Cena, two wrestlers where crowd involvement is very important, seemed out of place in such a stagnant environment. Considering these two still receive two of the loudest reactions from fans, the looks of surprise on their faces were about as authentic as we may see from wrestlers.

Still, this is something we have to familiarize ourselves with as all foreseeable shows will take place just like tonight. Will WrestleMania still happen, and if so, will it be at the PC with no fans?