5 Reasons why WWE were right in going ahead with WrestleMania 36

As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, we saw several sports events being canceled across the globe. It was expected that WWE would also follow suit and postpone WrestleMania 36.

But the promotion shocked the world when they announced that not only are they going to continue with the show, but also, they will make the biggest PPV a two-night affair for the first time in the history of the company.

There must have been several challenges that would've been in their path as they worked towards delivering a memorable show at the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’. However, the entire WWE management came together to tackle the issue and managed to create a good show with limited options.

It was definitely a bold move and had the pro-wrestling fans excited to see how WWE will pull off their biggest show amidst grave difficulty.

In this article, we will discuss the five most prominent reasons why WWE were right in going ahead with WrestleMania. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

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#5 Allowed flexibility with last-minute changes

WrestleMania 36 should be appreciated for giving us this gold

One of the biggest advantages that WWE had with a pre-recorded WrestleMania show was the flexibility that it offered when it came down to last-minute alterations.

From deciding the order of the match card to adding matches at the last minute, there was a lot that helped create a good final product.

Moreover, the transition between the two segments was well executed throughout the PPV, which ensured that there is no slow period in the ‘Showcase of Immortals’.

This year, WWE didn’t announce the details of the matches that were scheduled for the first night. Not only did it help in keeping the viewers interested but also allowed the creatives to divide the matches brilliantly between the two WrestleMania nights to keep a balanced match card for both days.

Moreover, it helped in maintaining the overall inquisitiveness around bouts like the Boneyard match or the Firefly Fun House match.

Since all the matches were shot at different locations with minimum personnel present at the studio, it was easy for WWE to keep the results from being leaked.

Following that, they combined the different segments in a way that also brought attention to the incredible work done by the editors.

Overall, this was a huge task for the WWE Production team, and they did quite well.

#4 WWE took extra precautions to ensure safety

One for the team!

As mentioned previously, WWE rented several studios to shoot the WrestleMania matches which only had concerned personnel in the vicinity.

In the face of crisis, WWE was determined to deliver a good product but at no point did they compromise the safety of all those who were involved in the match tapings.

As has been reported, WWE recognized sanitation as a crucial determinant before they circled on their studios. They also took special care of keeping the ring and the surrounding items clean before and after use.

They had been taping shows in the Performance Centre and there as well, the company went above and beyond to take necessary precautions.

They took special care of the equipment and sterilized them as often as required while also closing down the PC for general use.

The organizers also paid close attention to the ring gears and medical backstage just to make sure that they eliminate all possible threats before asking the WWE Superstars to step inside the ring.

The precautions were not just limited to the equipment. It was earlier reported that The Miz was feeling unwell but he still competed and that left The Usos concerned about their safety.

As a result, WWE decided to only have one member represent their respective teams in the ladder match for the SmackDown Tag Team Champions which was won by John Morrison.

#3 No Superstar was forced to perform

Roman Reigns pulled out of WrestleMania 36 as a precaution

Ahead of WrestleMania 36, some of the biggest concerns were around the possible availability of all the Superstars.

While some of them chose to perform at the show, the others decided to practice self-isolation as a precaution against COVID-19. The best part about this is the fact that WWE didn’t force any unwilling Superstar to perform on the show.

A little before WrestleMania, it was reported that Roman Reigns is pulling out of the show He was ultimately replaced by Braun Strowman who went on to become the Universal Champion after beating Goldberg for the title.

Although the Spear vs Spear match was being billed as one of the biggest highlights of the PPV, the creatives respected his decision to step back from the action.

This understanding approach was not just limited to the in-ring Superstars. Corey Graves, who makes regular appearances as the heel commentator, has missed action for a few weeks but was not forced to come out of quarantine.

WWE knew that they had fewer resources in hand and went on to use them well for the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’.

#2 Limited presence of the crew

Leading by example

It must have been ridiculously difficult for WWE to make big changes in their usual production practices and then adapt to the new system.

It is safe to say that they did a remarkable job despite the increased workload on the crew members.

Throughout the PPV as well as during the weekly episodes, one could notice that WWE granted limited access to ensure that only those people are present who are absolutely required.

This, in turn, would have allowed the promotion to reduce the chances of human-to-human transmission of coronavirus while also eliminating any possible gathering.

We even saw Triple H appear on an episode of SmackDown where his commentary alongside Michael Cole took the internet by storm.

But following that, ‘The Game’ restricted his presence to backstage duties and only appeared on NXT.

WWE’s decision to go on with WrestleMania 36 may have invited criticism but they did well in leading by the example.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, the WWE crew members worked as much as they could to prevent the show from being postponed – something that they must be appreciated for.

#1 Made room for creative freedom and experiments

This was a brilliant match between The Undertaker and AJ Styles

To be honest, when it was first revealed that all WrestleMania 36 matches and segments will be pre-taped, there were a lot of apprehensions about the quality of the show.

These skeptical murmurs gained more momentum when WWE announced that this year’s ‘Showcase of Immortals’ is too big for one day and will be held over two nights.

A WrestleMania without the crowd seemed absurd at best and it was an open secret that WWE have their hands tied when it comes to resources.

However, the creatives used a situation as difficult as this to churn out a decent show with quite a few memorable matches.

One can’t deny that the Boneyard Match and the Firefly Fun House match would have been very difficult to pull off in front of a live audience.

Instead, the creatives decided to explore the potential in pre-taped bouts and used it to help show someone like The Undertaker in a WrestleMania match that he truly deserves. He looked stronger than he had in the last seven years, all thanks to the brilliant narration of his match with AJ Styles.

Similarly, the Firefly Fun House match allowed Bray Wyatt to take John Cena through different points of his career which made for a great spectacle.

It is safe to say that this will allow the creatives to come up with equally brilliant stuff in the future and execute them perfectly after having gained experience in dealing with challenging situations like these.