SmackDown reportedly being moved to the WWE Performance Center this week *Updated*

Friday Night SmackDown Proceeds With No Live Audience

Friday Night SmackDown on March 13 will air live as regularly scheduled and emanate from WWE’s training facility in Orlando, FL, with only essential personnel in attendance. The event was originally scheduled in Detroit, MI. pic.twitter.com/o9mR2SNhAj

— WWE (@WWE) March 12, 2020

Second Update (3/12/20 5:12 PM ET):

WWE has confirmed that SmackDown will be taking place this Friday at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando Fla. It was originally scheduled for Detroit, MI. The official announcement is as follows:

“Friday Night SmackDown on March 13 will air live as regularly scheduled and emanate from WWE’s training facility in Orlando, Florida with only essential personnel in attendance. The event was originally scheduled in Detroit, Michigan.”

Update:

Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet is stating that SmackDown in Detroit is currently not cancelled at this time. Satin says there has been discussions on moving it to the Performance Center as rumored. However, there has been nothing finalized.

According to sources, there HAVE been discussions this evening regarding running the show from the PC as rumored – similar to tonight’s episode of NXT which was done there for different reasons – and the move could still happen.

However, the decision has not been finalized yet.

— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) March 12, 2020

Due to the current Coronavirus outbreak, it is being reported by PWInsider that this week’s SmackDown will take place at the WWE Performance Center. The original spot for this event was in Detroit, MI. PWInsider has stated they have verified this from multiple sources with an official announcement from WWE being forthcoming.

SMACKDOWN CANCELED IN DETROIT THIS FRIDAY, WWE TO BROADCAST FROM PERFORMANCE CENTER Elite: https://t.co/ucUCx9ijUb, Free: https://t.co/zyBhIReBjD

— PWInsider.com (@PWInsidercom) March 12, 2020

This week’s NXT took place at the Performance Center as well, but that was a pre-planned decision. If this does take place for SmackDown then this will be the first change of course made by WWE in response to the Coronavirus.

As far as WrestleMania and the events surrounding that event in Tampa, Fla. the most recent update is that they are still assessing the situation. As of now the plan is still to proceed as scheduled, however, within the next day or so more information may come forward.

Hello, at this time @WrestleMania is still planned to proceed on schedule. Please contact the @WWE with questions about cancellations. The City is currently monitoring the spread of coronavirus and will work with venues as needed.

— City of Tampa (@CityofTampa) March 11, 2020

The preview as of now for the women on SmackDown is a return from two-time Divas Champion Paige. It is rumored that Nia Jax may also be making her return.

As stated above, WWE has not confirmed or denied that any events will be canceled or postponed. As for SmackDown’s move, this also hasn’t officially been announced.

Diva Dirt will update you on the status of these situations as more information becomes official.