The WWE is coming to St. Petersburg.
The company announced Thursday that Tropicana Field will play host for WWE ThunderDome, an interactive experience that allows thousands of vans to virtually attend events.
ThunderDome launched this August, with its home being the Amway Center in Orlando. The experience features pyrotechnics, lasers, cutting-edge graphics and drone cameras, among other things.
“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,” said Matt Silverman, Tampa Bay Rays President.
In other words, the ThunderDome is coming to the ThunderDome.
All episodes of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown, as well as all pay-per-views, will be produced on closed sets with only essential personnel in attendance. The Dec. 11 episode of Smackdown will be the first one at Tropicana Field.
WWE will continue to enforce PCR testing for COVID-19, social distancing, and mask wearing policies for all crew members, according to a press release. Wrestlemania 36 was scheduled to be held on April 5 at Raymond James Stadium, but was canceled as the COVID-19 pandemic began affecting the United States.
Fans can register for virtual seating at WWEThunderdome.com.
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This article appears in Nov 19-25, 2020.