WWE is moving Raw and SmackDown out of Performace Center, and instead will be taping at The Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. The venue is best known as the home of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, and if fans could attend would hold over 18,000.
As part of the move, WWE is building the “WWE ThunderDome,” which will feature video boards, pyro, smoke, lasers, drone cameras, cutting-edge graphics, and a roof to project content. As with the Performance Center tapings, The Amway Center will be closed sets with only essential personnel in attendance. However, Kevin Dunn, who has been Executive Vice President of Television Production since June 2003, confirmed to SI.com, they will also have virtual fans.
We may have fans for certain entrances, standing up and cheering for the typical babyfaces. But someone like Bray Wyatt, who is so character-driven, the entire Amway Arena will be one big Fiend-dom. That’s our opportunity to be different from sports, where we can present these larger-than-life characters uniquely.Kevin Dunn
Below are some leaked photos showing the construction underway and give an idea of the scale.
WWE is testing the ThunderDome on Wednesday and Thursday and goes live on Friday with SmackDown and then SummerSlam, Raw, SmackDown, Payback, and Raw. At present, WWE has only confirmed their schedule to the end of August, but it’s understood they have an agreement to use the Amway Center until October 30th.
Fans that want to reserve a virtual seat will be able to do so from tonight via WWEThunderDome.com.
