UPDATE: As we reported earlier today here on eWn, WWE has been using “fan coordinators” to instruct their virtual fans on when to cheer/boo, and more. Ryan Satin tweeted the following tonight, showing an example of what the fans hear in their headsets.
Here’s an example of the WWE virtual audience getting directions from a producer.
Very smart of them to do this.
Made a major difference on TV and is no different than any other show being filmed in front of people. pic.twitter.com/htLg6VeI2g
— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) August 24, 2020
ORIGINAL: According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE has been giving their virtual fans cues during the ThunderDome events. The ThunderDome concept debuted on SmackDown and will be used going forward for at least the next two months. WWE is currently producing RAW, SmackDown, and all main roster pay-per-views inside the Amway Center in Orlando.
During both SmackDown and last night’s SummerSlam pay-per-view event, there were “fan coordinators” on the headset telling the fans who to cheer and who to boo and when to do so. Most of the time, the audience sits and doesn’t do much. All of the crowd noise is piped in. Many fans watching live noticed that there would be times where everyone in the crowd was cheering or giving thumbs up/thumbs down and clapping. This happens when the coordinator tells them to cheer or boo.
According to reports, this is an “experiment” and didn’t work on Friday. The company is planning to continue to make changes “until they get it right.” The biggest issue is that they don’t know who’s actually getting over or not because it’s a “fake crowd.”
