Are you ready for the Thunderdome? Tonight’s the night where WWE debuts its special set-up at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, where it has set up residency for the foreseeable future.
It was announced that Vince McMahon himself would be appearing on FOX’s Smackdown show tonight too.
On Friday afternoon, WWE released a YouTube video showing what it will look like:
The idea is that select WWE fans will be able to be a part of the show virtually. Specific instructions about proper clothing and behaviour has been sent to participants, and there is a Frequently Asked Questions page at WWE.com.
On Wednesday’s media conference call, Paul Levesque, WWE’s Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development, teased what was to come.
“It’s spectacular, and I’ve seen it in various forms,” said Levesque, also known as the wrestler Triple H.
There had been various options considered, including filming this Sunday’s SummerSlam show on a beach or even on a boat, but this longer-term option was chosen.
“I think that when you see the Thunderdome concept, when you see Smackdown, when you see SummerSlam in that environment. I think you can understand why we went in the direction we did. It’s spectacular,” he said. “I think it’s different than anything anybody else is doing out there, the level of it.”
Levesque praised Kevin Dunn, WWE’s Executive Vice President, Television Production, and his crew for making it all work.
“One thing about Kevin’s team, they never cease to amaze me,” Levesque said. “Usually when they tell me something is going to be spectacular, and then I see that in person, I’m like, ‘Wow, you completely undersold it.'”