'Filled the silence': Fans divided over 'bizarre' WrestleMania atmosphere
WrestleMania kicked off in unprecedented circumstances on Sunday with the WWE athletes performing the showcase event in front of no crowd due to the coronavirus pandemic, which divided the millions watching around the world.
Three weeks ago, the WWE announced WrestleMania would be moved away from Tampa Bay and performed behind closed doors at their training facility due to Covid-19 government shutdowns.
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The pinnacle event in the wrestling calendar has been met with numerous disruptions, including Roman Reigns withdrawing from WrestleMania and his main event match with Goldberg over health concerns relating to the coronavirus crisis.
But despite the times, WrestleMania went ahead - split over two days - and offered the stars a chance to make a name for themselves on the biggest stage.
Despite and eery silence around the arena, fans were stunned at the level of talent and the extreme lengths some of performers were ready to go.
The Undertaker gained huge props during his cinematic-style match against AJ Styles, which had fans going wild on Twitter.
While a three-way ladder match and the clash between Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens helped fans forget the lack of atmosphere.
The Undertaker/AJ Styles match felt like a reward for following 'Taker for decades. It had all his hallmarks, symbols of his character and it meshed perfectly with Styles. In fact, AJ brought all of that out of him.
It was just a real treat for a lifelong wrestling fan like me.— Alex McCarthy (@AlexM_talkSPORT) April 5, 2020
A good match is a good match with or without a crowd. And Kevin Owens & Seth Rollins just had a damn good one. Really like the way that match leaned heavily into storytelling through both action and dialogue. Filled the silence well. Maybe even benefited from it. #WrestleMania
— John Squires (@FreddyInSpace) April 5, 2020
That match was sick. No crowd and being up close and personal with the action possibly made it even better. #WrestleMania
— Jim Smallman (@jimsmallman) April 5, 2020
A lot of wrestlers making the most of the lack of crowd noise tonight by using trash talk as their main weapon against the opponent. Very strategic! #WrestleMania
— Owen Mawson (@VintageOwen) April 5, 2020
Weird and bizarre having a Ladder Match with no crowd. But I give credit that was still a very fun match! Best match of the night so far. Finish seems divisive among fans. I thought it was unique. Given the circumstances, that match delivered quite well #WrestleMania
— DerekJ407 (@BestHEELEver) April 5, 2020
I know everyone is tweeting that it’s weird to watch #WrestleMania without a crowd. Can’t argue that.
But you also can’t argue that these guys are busting their asses for us tonight.
Thank you! 👏👏— Conrad the Mortgage Guy (@HeyHeyItsConrad) April 5, 2020
This Tag Team Championship Ladder match is friggin fantastic!
I forgot their wasn't a crowd.
Well done guys! #WrestleMania— J O E (@Walk_With_Joe) April 5, 2020
Enough with the complaint about no crowd 🙄
we are all watching the same thing and we know it sucks comparatively. But for what it is, it’s pretty fun if you can get past that. #WrestleMania— DavKind (@DavKind76) April 5, 2020
But some fans tuned in and just couldn’t get past the lack of highs and lows experienced the wrestlers feel in tandem with the crowd during matches.
The Wrestlers are busting their asses out there but without a crowd it just feels off #WrestleMania @SimpsonsWWE pic.twitter.com/EBjdL5qHrn
— The Alleged Wrestling Podcast 🇮🇪 (@2bitwrestling) April 5, 2020
#Wrestlemania just feels really off for me. I don't know what to think. I knew there wasn't going to be a crowd- but I feel the atmosphere is half the enjoyment...
— Beth (@B3thw00d) April 4, 2020
So I’m watching #WrestleMania and some of the matches have been great but it just feel so weird... WWE needs a crowd. I’m sorry
— Stoj🦋 (@ChristinaaRa) April 5, 2020
Honest question, does watching no crowd wrestling take your mind off of everything going on right now, or serve as a constant reminder of the terrible state we're in? #WrestleMania @WrestlingInc
— Raj Giri (@RajGiri_303) April 5, 2020
Stone Cold delivers legendary moment
The weekly events have been a rollercoaster with some wrestlers struggling to entertain those watching on television with no crowd reaction.
While returning legend Stone Cold Steve Austin was still able to deliver a legendary moment as he played to the lack of crowd in the arena.
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Returning to announce March 16th as a wrestling national holiday under his motto Austin 3:16, The Rattlesnake turned to the ‘crowd’ to deliver his famous catchphrase.
“If you want to know what 3:16 day is all about, give me a ‘Hell Yeah’,” he said as he turned to the ‘crowd’.
But after the camera turned comically to the empty seats, Austin waited to once again ask the ‘crowd’ to give him a ‘Hell yeah’.
But instead former wrestler and ring announcer Byron Saxton came to the rescue with a laughable ‘Hell yeah’.
In classic Austin style, Saxton joined him in the ring and after sharing a beer he was greeted with the Stone Cold Stunner.
The segment sent fans into rapture after a hard few weeks without live crowds and atmosphere.
