Expect the WWE SmackDown and Raw shows focused around WrestleMania 40 to have a different look.
Arguably two of the most important shows on the wrestling calendar, SmackDown will present the final build to WrestleMania and will host the Hall of Fame induction ceremony directly afterwards. The Raw after Mania is also widely regarded as a marquee show with returns, NXT call-ups and shock angles all to be expected.
WWE themselves have seemingly recognised how in-demand these tickets will be and are looking to make significant alterations to the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia to maximise their return. As reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the set will be stripped back to allow as many seats as possible to be available for these shows with the hope of increasing capacity by over 5,000:
WWE has made the decision to not use a stage for the WrestleMania week Raw and Smackdown shows at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The feeling is that with all the tourists in town and the brand being hot that they will be able to sell more tickets and drive more revenue (plus it saves on arena costs). Basically with the new ownership it’s about maximizing revenue and lowering costs, and both buildings will be set up for 18,553 tickets instead of about 13,000 which would normally be the case
Despite a report claiming that NXT Stand & Deliver may be moving nights in 2024, it has since been conformed that the show will run in its regular timeslot.
WWE Continues To Implement Survivor Series Strategy
The Show of Shows will not be the first time that the promotion will be presenting a more minimalist stage to increase ticket sales. As was previously reported, the Allstate Arena in Chicago, which is set to host WWE Survivor Series, will also see big changes made. Reported changes for Survivor Series include the removal of the big screen at the top of the ramp for either a much smaller screen or no screen at all. Additionally, there are talks of the ramp being very basic, giving the show a “very old school MSG style.”