WWE Rumor Review: Roman Reigns' match canceled, John Cena's return, Reason for Double Champion's absence

#3 WWE was under pressure from TV partners to have live crowds back

The COVID-19 pandemic forced WWE to host their shows without a live audience for months before they devised the unique concept of ThunderDome, which allowed fans to connect virtually to the action.

It was a fairly successful idea but could not match the value that a live crowd adds in. Naturally, as the pandemic slowed down a little, higher-ups decided to bring back fans in attendance. WrestleVotes reported back in May that FOX was pushing WWE to fasten up the process:

"Heard from a very reliable source that FOX has privately pushed for a return to live crowds over the past few weeks, actively seeking updates on timeframes, etc. They’d like their billion dollar investment on the same playing field as the MLB, NBA & others."

Live crowds eventually returned on the July 16, 2021, episode of SmackDown, suggesting the reports proved to be true. The company also brought back some of its biggest stars like John Cena and Brock Lesnar to spike up the ratings.