WWE ThunderDome moving to Tropicana Field next month
The WWE ThunderDome is moving locations starting next month.
It was confirmed today that the WWE ThunderDome is moving to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, starting with the Friday, December 11th episode of SmackDown. Tropicana Field is a domed stadium that is home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays.
The ThunderDome debuted when WWE’s residency at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, began this August, but WWE needed a new venue due to the NBA season starting next month.
WWE wrote that Raw, SmackDown, and pay-per-views will be produced at Tropicana Field on closed sets with only essential personnel in attendance. It was also noted that WWE “will continue to administer its health and safety protocols for talent, crew and employees in conjunction with each production, including PCR testing for COVID-19, social distancing and wearing masks.”
“The Tampa Bay Rays are excited to welcome WWE to Tropicana Field for this residency and shine a spotlight on the Tampa Bay area for WWE fans around the world,” Tampa Bay Rays President Matt Silverman said in a press release. “The ballpark will be transformed to host the spectacle of WWE ThunderDome, allowing fans to enjoy this wildly popular experience virtually.”
“We are proud to have reimagined the in-arena atmosphere and provide an interactive experience like nothing else in sports and entertainment with the launch of WWE ThunderDome,” WWE Executive Producer & Chief, Global Television Production Kevin Dunn said. “Our fans’ response and industry-wide recognition are both humbling and further validation of the innovative spirit and passion that exist across the entire WWE organization.”