Editing WWE (section)

====COVID-19 pandemic and return to touring (2020–2022) ====
{{further|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports}}
In March 2020, WWE began to be impacted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|American onset]] of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. In mid-March, three of the four major sports leagues closed locker rooms to the media as a precautionary measure. As other sports cancellations and postponements were being introduced, WWE began to film its weekly programs at the Performance Center [[Behind closed doors (sport)|without spectators]] and with only essential staff present, beginning with the March 13 episode of ''SmackDown''{{snd}} the March 11 episode of ''NXT'' had been recorded at the Performance Center with paying fans, thus being WWE's last event to have ticketed fans in attendance before the pandemic took full effect.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/coronavirus-wwe-smackdown-live-1203532469/ |title=WWE Moves 'SmackDown Live' to Orlando Performance Center With No Live Audience Due to Coronavirus |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=March 12, 2020 |website=Variety|access-date=March 12, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312221445/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/coronavirus-wwe-smackdown-live-1203532469/ |archive-date= March 12, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-john-cena-caps-surreal-empty-arena-showy-you-have-to-see/live/ |title=WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: John Cena caps surreal empty arena show you have to see |website=CBS Sports|date=March 14, 2020 |access-date=March 14, 2020}}</ref> [[WrestleMania 36]] was scheduled to take place on April 5 at [[Raymond James Stadium]] in [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]] but on March 16, was moved to Orlando to be held behind closed doors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/wrestlemania-canceled-coronavirus-wwe-tampa-1202881422/ |title=WrestleMania To Stream As Two-Night Event With Host Rob Gronkowski In Wake Of Coronavirus Outbreak – Update |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=March 16, 2020 |website=Deadline |language=en|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/wwe-splits-audience-less-wrestlemania-36-into-two-nights/ |title=WWE Splits Audience-Free WrestleMania 36 Into Two Nights, Multiple Locations |last=Maglio |first=Tony |date=March 18, 2020 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US|access-date=March 18, 2020}}</ref> WrestleMania, as well as ''Raw'' and ''SmackDown'' for a period before and after WrestleMania, shifted from live broadcasts to a pre-recorded format.<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Mike|title=WWE TAPING UPDATES|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/134914/wwe-taping-updates.html?p=1|publisher=PWInsider|date=March 21, 2020|access-date=March 22, 2020}}</ref> ''NXT'' continued to air from Full Sail University, but under similar restrictions.<ref name="cbs-wwelive" /><ref name=":0" />

Live broadcasts returned on April 13, with the existing arrangements continuing; WWE stated to [[ESPN.com]] that "we believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times", and that the company's programming "bring[s] families together and deliver a sense of hope, determination and perseverance".<ref name="cbs-wwelive">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-to-resume-live-matches-on-tv-starting-with-the-next-monday-night-raw/|title=WWE to resume live matches on TV starting with the next 'Monday Night Raw'|website=CBS Sports|date=April 13, 2020 |language=en|access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/29024319/wwe-resume-live-tv-matches-starting-monday|title=WWE to resume live TV matches starting Monday|date=April 11, 2020|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref> It was subsequently reported that Florida Governor [[Ron DeSantis]] had deemed WWE a business critical to the state's economy, and had added an exception under the state's [[stay-at-home order]] for employees of a "professional sports and media production" that is closed to the public and has a national audience.<ref name="nyt-wweessentual">{{Cite news|last=Zaveri|first=Mihir|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/wwe-essential-business-florida-coronavirus.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414200012/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/us/wwe-essential-business-florida-coronavirus.html |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The WWE Is Now Considered an 'Essential Service' in Florida|date=April 14, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 15, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-to-resume-live-tv-tapings-after-being-deemed-essential-business-by-florida-governors-office/|title=WWE to resume live TV tapings after being deemed 'essential business' by Florida governor's office|website=CBS Sports|date=April 13, 2020 |language=en|access-date=April 15, 2020}}</ref> The decision was met with criticism from media outlets, with several media outlets pointing out that DeSantis's actions happened on the same day a pro-[[Donald Trump]] [[political action committee]] led by [[Linda McMahon]], who was previously a part of Trump's cabinet, pledged to spend $18.5 million in advertising in Florida, and that, also on the same day, Vince McMahon was named part of an advisory group created by Trump to devise a strategy in re-launching the US economy.<ref name="BusinessInsiderDozensLivid">{{Cite news|last=Lauletta |first=Tyler |url=https://www.insider.com/wwe-fires-wrestlers-essential-business-vince-mcmahon-rusev-zack-ryder-2020-4 |title=WWE fired dozens of wrestlers and other talent just days after a controversial decision deemed them an essential business in Florida and fans are livid with Vince McMahon |date=April 16, 2020|work=[[Business Insider]] |access-date= April 16, 2020}}</ref><ref name="PCMLindaScrutinyEssential">{{Cite news|last=Newby |first=John |url=https://popculture.com/sports/2020/04/14/linda-mcmahon-major-scrutiny-after-wwe-deemed-essential/ |title=Linda McMahon Under Major Scrutiny After WWE Is Deemed 'Essential' by Florida Officials |date=April 14, 2020|work=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date= April 16, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="GMS-DonationSameDay">{{Cite news|last=Browning |first=Oliver |url=https://www.givemesport.com/1562668-wwe-news-linda-mcmahon-made-political-donation-of-20m-same-day-wwe-declared-essential |title=WWE news: Linda McMahon made political donation of $20m same day WWE declared 'essential' |date=April 15, 2020|work=GiveMeSport|access-date= April 16, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="FreePressPanelFiringSpree">{{Cite news|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/wwes-vince-mcmahon-appointed-on-panel-to-fix-us-economy-same-day-pro-wrestling-company-goes-on-firing-spree |title=WWE's Vince McMahon appointed on panel to fix US economy same day pro-wrestling company goes on firing spree |date=April 16, 2020|work=[[The Free Press Journal]] |access-date= April 16, 2020|language=en}}</ref>

On April 15, WWE started a series of cuts and layoffs in response to the pandemic, including releasing a number of performers ([[Karl Anderson]], [[Kurt Angle]], [[Aiden English]], [[Ethan Carter III|EC3]], [[Epico (wrestler)|Epico]], [[Luke Gallows]], [[Curt Hawkins]], [[No Way Jose (wrestler)|No Way Jose]], [[Sarah Logan]], [[Mike Kanellis]], [[Maria Kanellis]], [[Primo (wrestler)|Primo]], [[Erick Rowan]], [[Rusev (wrestler)|Rusev]], [[Lio Rush]], [[Zack Ryder]], [[Heath Slater]], and [[Eric Young (wrestler)|Eric Young]]), three producers ([[Dave Finlay]], [[Shane Helms]] and [[Lance Storm]]), referee [[Mike Chioda]], and multiple NXT/Performance Center trainees and staff. WWE executives also took a pay cut, and the company has also suspended construction on its new headquarters for at least six months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-04-15/wwe-layoffs-wrestlers-coronavirus-covid-19-luke-gallows-karl-anderson|title=Here's who was laid off by WWE and how they responded on social media|date=April 15, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=April 15, 2020}}</ref> The firings caused significant backlash by fans; with ''[[Business Insider]]'' calling them "livid". Both fans and several media outlets pointed out that while WWE claimed that these actions were "necessary due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic", the WWE also claimed to have "substantial financial resources. Available cash and debt capacity currently total approximately $0.5 billion". DeSantis's claimed WWE was "essential", which meant that the company's revenues loss would be limited.<ref name="BusinessInsiderDozensLivid"/><ref name="newsweekFurloughedImpact">{{Cite news|last=McDonald |first=Scott |url=https://www.newsweek.com/kurt-angle-other-wwe-stars-furloughed-coronavirus-impact-wwe-fans-sound-off-1498187 |title=KURT ANGLE, OTHER WWE STARS FURLOUGHED FROM CORONAVIRUS IMPACT, WWE FANS SOUND OFF |date=April 15, 2020|work=[[Newsweek]] |access-date= April 16, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:The Bloodline at Royal Rumble 2023.jpg|thumb|275px|[[Roman Reigns]] (center) has been a top star in the WWE since 2015, and at [[WrestleMania 38]] in 2022 Reigns defeated [[Brock Lesnar]] to jointly hold the [[WWE Championship]] and the [[WWE Universal Championship]] as the [[Undisputed WWE Universal Championship]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-still-planning-make-roman-reigns-companys-top-face/ | title=411Mania }}</ref>]]
In August 2020, WWE relocated from the Performance Center to Orlando's [[Amway Center]] for a long-term residency, broadcasting episodes of ''Raw'', ''SmackDown'', and pay-per-views through a virtual fan viewing experience called [[WWE ThunderDome]]. Inside the ThunderDome, drones, lasers, pyro, smoke, and projections were utilized to enhance the wrestlers' entrances on a level similar to that of pay-per-view productions pre-pandemic. Nearly 1,000 LED boards were installed to allow for rows and rows of virtual fans. It was free of charge for fans to virtually attend the events, though they had to reserve their virtual seat ahead of time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heel|first=N.|date=August 17, 2020|title=WWE Launching 'ThunderDome' At Amway Center This Friday|url=https://heelbynature.com/wrestling-news/wwe-news/wwe-launching-thunderdome-at-amway-center-this-friday/|access-date=August 17, 2020|website=Heel By Nature|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=WWE introducing new state-of-the-art viewing experience with WWE ThunderDome|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-virtual-fan-experience-thunder-zone-summerslam-amway-center|work=WWE|date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|title=WWE Announces ThunderDome Arena; Enhanced Fan Experience, Residency At Amway Center; First Look Video Shown|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-thunderdome-arena-enhanced-fan-experience|work=Fightful|date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020}}</ref> During this time, [[Roman Reigns]] began his historic world title reign with the [[WWE Universal Championship]], which would eventually surpass 1,000 days; being the longest world title reign in the WWE since [[Hulk Hogan]] from 1984 to 1988. WWE remained at the Amway Center up through early December before relocating the ThunderDome to [[Tropicana Field]] in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE ThunderDome will head to Tampa Bay's Tropicana Field beginning Friday, Dec. 11|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/article/wwe-thunderdome-will-head-to-tampa-bays-tropicana-field-beginning-friday-dec-11|website=WWE |access-date=November 19, 2020|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|title=WWE ThunderDome Moving To Tropicana Field On December 11|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-thunderdome-moving-tropicana-field-december-11|work=Fightful|date=November 19, 2020|access-date=November 19, 2020}}</ref> The ThunderDome relocated to [[Yuengling Center]], located on the campus of the [[University of South Florida]] in Tampa, beginning with the April 12, 2021, episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Randall|date=March 24, 2021|title=WWE Moves ThunderDome to USF's Yuengling Center|url=https://www.sportico.com/leagues/other-sports/2021/wwe-moves-thunderdome-yuengling-center-1234625524/|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Sportico.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="650,000">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-thunderdome-yuengling-center-university-south-florida|title=WWE ThunderDome takes over Yuengling Center|date=March 24, 2021|work=WWE|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> In October 2020, NXT events were relocated from Full Sail University to the Performance Center in a similar setup dubbed the Capitol Wrestling Center. It had many of the same features as the ThunderDome, but with a small crowd of select live fans included, in addition to the virtual fans. The name is also an homage to WWE's predecessor, the Capitol Wrestling Corporation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Capitol Wrestling Center to be unveiled tonight at NXT TakeOver 31|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/capitol-wrestling-center-nxt|author=WWE.com Staff|work=WWE|date=October 4, 2020|access-date=October 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Defelice|first=Robert|title=NXT TakeOver 31 To Feature The Debut Of The Capitol Wrestling Center|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/nxt-takeover-31-feature-debut-capitol-wrestling-center|work=Fightful|date=October 4, 2020|access-date=October 4, 2020}}</ref> On May 21 WWE brought back fans full time, beginning with a 25-city tour, thus ending the ThunderDome residency. The July 16 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]'' started WWE's return to the road, taking place at the [[Toyota Center]] in Houston, Texas.

In January 2021, WWE moved [[WrestleMania 37]], which was originally to be held in [[Inglewood, California]] on March 28, to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida{{snd}}WrestleMania 36's original location{{snd}}as a two-night event on April 10 and 11, with fans in attendance, though to a limited capacity.<ref>{{cite web|last=Guzzo|first=Gisberto|title=WWE Announces The Locations And Dates Of WrestleMania 37, 38, And 39|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-locations-and-dates-wrestlemania-37-38-and-39|work=Fightful|date=January 16, 2021|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref> This marked WWE's first event during the pandemic to have ticketed fans in attendance with a maximum of 25,000 spectators for each night with COVID-19 protocols in place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2021-wwe-wrestlemania-37-tickets-capacity-set-at-25000-fans-for-each-night-of-show-at-raymond-james-stadium/|title=2021 WWE WrestleMania 37 tickets: Capacity set at 25,000 fans for each night of show at Raymond James Stadium|date=March 17, 2021|last=Brookhouse|first=Brent|work=[[CBS Sports]]|access-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref> Also around this time, the WWE Network in the United States became exclusively distributed by [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] on March 18, 2021 (ahead of [[Fastlane (2021)|Fastlane]] and WrestleMania 37). The merger of the WWE Network and Peacock did not affect the service outside of the United States.<ref name=CCK>{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=January 25, 2021|title=NBCU's Peacock Pins WWE Network Exclusive U.S. Streaming Rights|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/wwe-network-peacock-exclusively-streaming-1234890954/|access-date=January 25, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> The move to Peacock received some criticisms from fans particularly due to Peacock's heavy censorship policy, the company began the removal of some of the contents that were considered iconic moments of the [[Attitude Era]] that were deemed inappropriate by Peacock, these archived contents would no longer be available under any of WWE's authorized platforms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://popculture.com/streaming/news/wwe-fans-fuming-peacock-editing-wwe-network-content/|title=WWE Fans Are Fuming at Peacock For Editing WWE Network Content|website=Streaming|date=March 27, 2021 |accessdate=March 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-wwe-comments-past-content-removed-peacock-wwe-network|title=WWE comments on past content being removed from Peacock and the WWE Network|first=Matt|last=Black|website=sportskeeda.com|date=March 29, 2021 |accessdate=March 7, 2023}}</ref> Amdist the criticisms, in April 2021 WWE executive [[Triple H]] defended WWE's move to Peacock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-peacock-triple-h-address-early-criticisms-censoring-tape-library-no-rewind-stream-delay/|title=Triple H Addresses Early Criticisms of WWE on Peacock|date=April 6, 2021 |publisher=WWE|accessdate=March 7, 2023}}</ref>

NXT was moved to a Tuesday night timeslot in 2021 and was rebooted as NXT 2.0 later that year, reinstituting its original function as a developmental brand. The Performance Center became NXT's permanent home base, replacing Full Sail. Maximum capacity crowds resumed and the Capitol Wrestling Center name was phased out.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/beth-phoenix-on-how-the-wwe-nxt-2-0-changes-affected-the-announce-team/|title=411MANIA|website=Beth Phoenix on How the WWE NXT 2.0 Changes Affected the Announce Team}}</ref> In February 2022, the 205 Live brand was dissolved and the ''205 Live'' show was replaced by a new NXT show called ''[[WWE NXT Level Up|Level Up]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=155853|title=SAY GOODBYE TO 205 LIVE, NEW NXT SERIES TO BEGIN TAPING TONIGHT|author=Johnson, Mike|date=February 15, 2022|access-date=February 15, 2022|work=PWInsider}}</ref>

On February 24, 2022, WWE launched a partnership with On Location, a company known for providing premium hospitality experiences for marquee events. Through the partnership, spectators will have access to hospitality packages for WWE's five biggest events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. The [[Money in the Bank (2022)|2022 Money in the Bank]] was WWE's first event to offer the premium hospitality packages. These ticket and travel packages include premier seating, premium hospitality offerings, and meet-and-greets with current WWE wrestlers and legends.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-and-on-location-announce-exclusive-hospitality-partnership-for-premium-live-events|title=WWE and On Location announce exclusive Hospitality Partnership for Premium Live Events; Packages for WWE Money in the Bank available now|date=February 24, 2022|work=WWE.com|access-date=February 24, 2022}}</ref>