Tag: WrestleMania 2021

WWE discussing two-night NXT TakeOver before WrestleMania

Posted on by Josh Nason

PWInsider is reporting that WWE is mulling over a decision on holding a two-night NXT TakeOver on the Wednesday and Thursday prior to this year’s WrestleMania.

If the plan comes to be, that would give WWE six straight days of programming between Wednesday and Monday with two nights of NXT, SmackDown, two nights of WrestleMania and Raw.

The PWInsider report said the first night of TakeOver would be on USA, its final one on Wednesday night, with the second night available on the WWE Network. At that point, it’s believed the Network will be available on the Peacock streaming service.

That would leave the Hall of Fame ceremony in question with Dave Meltzer speculating they could hold it on the Tuesday before or the Tuesday afterward — assuming they are still planning on having it this year.

From this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

“It’s also notable that at this point, nothing has been said at all regarding the Hall of Fame. Usually at this point, most members would have been announced. We do know that the families of last year’s inductees were told it would take place virtually this year over Mania week. But things are always changing.”

John Cena says ‘no logistical way’ he can be at WWE WrestleMania 37

Posted on by Josh Nason

In an interview promoting his Super Bowl commercial for Mountain Dew, former WWE star John Cena said to not expect him at this year’s WrestleMania in Tampa, Florida.

Cena told Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso that he is in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, filming The Peacemaker, his impending HBO Max TV series that is a spinoff from the upcoming movie, The Suicide Squad. Due to pandemic related travel restrictions, Cena said a Mania appearance wouldn’t work as a result.

“Given the quarantine regulations, if I were to leave Canada, upon return I would have to quarantine for another two weeks. Essentially, that would shut production down. Strictly based on the letter of the law right now, there is no logistical way I can be there. We film now until July,” he said. 

In a later quote, he said, “It’s very difficult to say because I know it’s going to be disappointing for a lot of people, but according to the letter of regulation right now, there is no mathematical way I can be at WrestleMania this year.”

In last week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer confirmed a Ringside News report that a Cena appearance was planned for this year’s show but he was unsure whether it would be in a match or general appearance. Cena was part of the WWE-produced announcement of the locations for this year’s WrestleMania.

If he does not appear at the show, this would be the first time he hasn’t been part of a WrestleMania in some form or fashion since he debuted at WrestleMania XX in 2004.

When asked about becoming one of the part-timers that comes back for the biggest show of the year, Cena joked, “What a hypocritical situation. I used to be very open about the fact that part-timers were just that, and here I am at 44 years old and I’ve become what I despise, as they say. That is kind of what it is.”

WWE WrestleMania 37 date reportedly moved to April 11

Posted on by Josh Nason

According to several reports, WWE WrestleMania 37 will be held on Sunday, April 11th, two weeks later than originally planned.

Fightful first reported that the company’s biggest event of the year was originally set for March 28th, but that internal documents now list the April date. POST Wrestling later confirmed that report.

WWE has yet to respond to an inquiry about the change.

While yet to be formally announced, the show was being planned for Tampa, Florida’s Raymond James Stadium as recently as October. The 2020 edition was initially slated for that location but was moved to the Performance Center over two nights due to the pandemic. That would mean the plan to host this year’s WrestleMania at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium would be shelved for the time being. 

In a related story, PWInsider reported Friday that this year’s Elimination Chamber will be held on Sunday, February 21st, a week earlier than planned.

Paired with the WrestleMania change, that would seem to point to WWE wanting to return to one domestic event per month for the time being given that travel to Saudi Arabia for super shows is off the table for now.