WWE News on Plans for Taping Raw, Smackdown, NXT at WWE Performance Center, Full Taping Schedule into July
The situation involving WWE’s taping schedule in Orlando at the Performance Center has changed several times in the past month. They taped some shows in advance, then it was expected that they would be going live every week due to the contracts they have with USA Network and FOX. We also know WWE was deemed an “essential business” by the Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis, so that’s why WWE is allowed to keep running shows in Florida. Like a lot of things going on in the world right now: “Plans change, pal.”
There’s a big update on the new WWE taping schedule courtesy of Pro Wrestling Sheet’s Ryan Satin, who also appears on WWE Backstage on Fox Sports 1. The scheduling info was confirmed by a WWE representative. Other websites have reported similar information as well.
According to Satin’s report, WWE is following guidelines to keep their performers safe by having people wear face masks, enforcing handwashing, good hygiene, medical screens, only allowing essential personnel, following social distancing when outside of the ring and regularly cleaning the facility. It has been reported that WWE is doing the best they can to protect people that are part of the tapings at the WWE Performance Center.
The new taping schedule looks like this:
* Smackdown will take place tonight (April 17) as a live show as planned.
* Raw on April 20 will air live.
* NXT on April 22 will air live.
* Smackdown will air live on April 24.
This is when taped shows will begin.
* Saturday, April 25 will have two Smackdown episodes taped for May 1 and May 8
* Monday, April 27 will have two Raw episodes taped for April 27 and May 4
* Wednesday, April 29 will have two NXT episodes taped for April 29 and May 6
There will be nearly two weeks off at that point.
The Money in the Bank pay-per-view is scheduled for May 10. There’s no word yet on if that will be live or taped. It was also reported by PWInsider that WWE taped something on the roof of Titan Towers in Stamford, CT that will be used at Money in the Bank. We have no idea what that is right now.
* Monday, May 11 with have Raw taped for May 11 and Smackdown on May 15
* Tuesday, May 12 with have Raw taped for May 18 and Smackdown on May 22
* Wednesday, May 13 will have NXT taped for May 13 and the following NXT on May 20
* Monday, May 25 will have Raw taped for May 25 and also June 1
* Tuesday, May 26 will have Smackdown taped for May 29 and also June 5
* Wednesday, May 27 will have two NXT episodes for May 27 and June 3
* Monday, June 8 will have Raw for June 8 and Smackdown for June 12
* Tuesday, June 9 will have NXT taping for June 10
* Monday, June 15 will have Raw for June 15, Raw on June 22 and Smackdown on June 19
* Tuesday, June 16 will have Raw for June 22 and Smackdown on June 26
* Wednesday, June 17 will have NXT for June 17 and June 24
* Monday, June 29 will have Raw for June 29 and Raw on July 6.
* Tuesday, June 30 will have Smackdown taped for July 3 and Smackdown also for July 10
* Wednesday, July 1 will have NXT for July 1 and NXT for July 8
That means WWE content will be covered through at least July 10. I assume that Main Event will be taped with the Raw crew and probably 205 Live as well with Smackdown, but it could be with NXT shows.
It goes without saying that all of these shows will be on a closed set with WWE personnel only, so there will likely not be any spoilers that come out or if there are, there will be minimal spoilers.
As always, plans can change, but this is how things will happen into early July for now.
WWE has issued this statement in the past:
“We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times. We are producing content on a closed set with only essential personnel in attendance following appropriate guidelines while taking additional precautions to ensure the health and wellness of our performers and staff. As a brand that has been woven into the fabric of society, WWE and its Superstars bring families together and deliver a sense of hope, determination and perseverance.”
TJR Thoughts: This is the right thing to do. I’m sure WWE wouldn’t be going forward with this plan unless Vince McMahon was assured by USA Network and Fox that it’s okay to tape shows in advance. It’s better for the talent working the matches and the guys behind the scenes too.