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When the COVID-19 pandemic forced WWE to stage all of its shows behind closed doors last March, the company lost one of its most valuable assets: a live crowd.
For generations, WWE Superstars have thrived on the energy and passion of the fans they perform in front of. Real-time feedback from the audience allowed both performers and the company itself to know instantly whether the direction of a character or storyline was connecting with the masses.
WWE lost that link when all of its tapings had to be moved to the Performance Center in Orlando, starting with the March 13, 2020 edition of SmackDown. From the very first moments the show came on the air that night, it was obvious that the empty-arena setting was going to drastically affect the feel of WWE's programming moving forward.
Things improved slightly in August when the company unveiled the WWE ThunderDome - a set-up that allowed fans to attend events virtually. However, while the ThunderDome looks much better on television than the Performance Center, both venues lack a genuine in-person audience.
WrestleMania 37 marked the only time in the last 15 months that WWE has put on events before a paying crowd. The difference made by a live audience was clear throughout the entire two-night spectacular.
As much as fans enjoyed themselves, though, WWE Superstars were just as enthusiastic to perform for them.
Rumors suggest WWE is exploring the idea of beginning to tour again later this year. As of now, the company reportedly wants to kick off its new touring schedule by having fans in attendance at this year's SummerSlam pay-per-view event. New York's Madison Square Garden and a venue in Las Vegas have both been touted as possible locations for the August show.
Once WWE is touring again, which superstars stand to benefit the most from the presence of a live crowd? There have been some standout performers for the company during the 'pandemic era', but here are five WWE Superstars who could benefit most from the return of fans to live events.
#5 Former two-time WWE Champion Drew McIntyre will benefit from the return of live crowds
Drew McIntyre has arguably been WWE's biggest star during the period where fans have been absent from shows.
McIntyre was already scheduled to face Brock Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania 36 for the WWE Championship when the pandemic struck. Global events robbed the Scottish Warrior of the opportunity to have his crowning moment in front of a capacity crowd.
Drew McIntyre has carried the RAW brand for much of the last 18 months, consistently making the best of the bad situation presented by COVID restrictions.
McIntyre has won both of his WWE Championships without a live audience in attendance. He won his first title run when he beat Lesnar at WrestleMania last year, before defeating Randy Orton on RAW in October 2020 to begin his second reign.
Despite being recognized as a champion for a combined 300 days, McIntyre has never appeared in front of a live crowd with the title. The Scotsman has grown into a top-tier superstar without the WWE Universe to feed off of. Once the company begins touring again, the 35-year-old will have the chance to properly engage with his fanbase.
McIntyre made no secret of how important the return of fans at this year's WrestleMania was to him. Although he came up short in his WWE Championship challenge against Bobby Lashley, he clearly loved being back in front of a live audience in Tampa.
When crowds eventually return to WWE events permanently, expect McIntyre to go all-out to put on a great show.
#4 Bayley can thrive again in front of a live WWE audience
The first-ever Women's Grand Slam Champion in WWE history, Bayley was a mainstay of the company's product during the first six months of the pandemic era.
The Role Model reigned as the SmackDown Women's Champion for a record 380 days before she dropped the title to Sasha Banks at Hell in a Cell 2020. During this run, Bayley also held the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships alongside Banks for a time during the same period.
Bayley's momentum, however, stalled after she lost her title. Swiftly finding herself out of championship contention, she struggled for regular television time on Friday nights as the company moved towards WrestleMania 37.
It soon became clear that Bayley would not have a match at the Show of Shows - and her fans were quick to express their anger over that call on social media.
Instead of competing in a match, Bayley did appear in several segments at WrestleMania with joint guest hosts, Hulk Hogan and Titus O'Neil, where she tried to hog the spotlight at every turn.
Her final appearance of the weekend saw The Role Model shoved down the entrance ramp by The Bella Twins. Although Bayley was left embarrassed at the end of the show, the fan reaction to all of her involvement was strong.
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda Wrestling earlier this week, Bayley revealed the decision to have her as the unofficial third guest host for WrestleMania was a last-minute decision from WWE - prompted by fan pressure.
"Not to give too much away, but that was a very last minute thing," shared Bayley about her WrestleMania role. "And I think it did have a big deal to do with people on Twitter and people kind of speaking their voice. Which I appreciate."
Bayley really found her stride during the latter stages of her time as SmackDown Women's Champion, despite the absence of a live audience. A superstar with a fiercely loyal fanbase, she is guaranteed to generate a big response at WWE live events once the company resumes touring again.
Bayley's supporters are unlikely to let her get lost in the shuffle by WWE again. The return of live crowds could absolutely benefit her career.
#3 Big E will benefit when WWE begins to tour again
Big E's WWE career took a major turn last year when he was separated from his New Day stablemates Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as part of the 2020 WWE Draft.
Kingston and Woods were traded to RAW, while Big E remained on SmackDown as a solo act. Things got off to a promising start for him in singles competition as he dethroned Sami Zayn for the WWE Intercontinental Championship on the Christmas Day Edition of SmackDown.
Big E lost that title to Apollo Crews at WrestleMania 37, but many believe the charismatic big man is destined for greater things than a mid-card championship. If the New Day member is to leap into the main event picture in WWE, though, he would benefit from having live crowds back.
The 35-year-old built a strong connection with the WWE Universe during his time as part of New Day, but Big E needs a final push to become a legitimate Universal Championship contender.
If Big E gets superstar reactions each time he appears at a live event going forward, then it can do nothing but help his case to be included in the WWE headline mix.
#2 Bianca Belair has wrestled just one match before a live audience since debuting on the WWE main roster
Bianca Belair is the current WWE SmackDown Women's Champion. The EST of WWE won the title on the first night of WrestleMania 37, defeating Sasha Banks in the main event of the show.
The audience in attendance at the Show Of Shows loved the match - and the result. Her bout with Banks, however, is the only time Belair has performed in front of a live crowd as a member of the WWE main roster.
The EST Of WWE was called up to RAW during WrestleMania 36 when she debuted by saving the Street Profits from a post-match assault by Angel Garza, Austin Theory, and Zelina Vega.
It was only when Belair moved over to SmackDown as part of the WWE Draft in October 2020 that things really started to pick up for her.
Belair represented Team SmackDown at Survivor Series 2020, before going on to win the 2021 Royal Rumble match and book her WrestleMania clash with Banks. Surviving 56 minutes in the 30-woman bout, Belair put on one of the best solo performances in Rumble history. Unfortunately, nobody was there live to witness it.
For as much as Bianca Belair has achieved over the last year, she will surely improve even more by working regularly in front of WWE audiences when the company starts touring again.
Belair has earned the right to perform for large crowds in big matches. It seems she is just a few short months away from getting that chance.
#1 Roman Reigns can climb to even greater heights when WWE begins to tour again
When Roman Reigns returned to WWE after a period away from the company at last year's SummerSlam pay-per-view, he did so with a whole new attitude.
No longer the promotion's most-pushed babyface, Reigns was now a heel. Aligned with his Special Counsel Paul Heyman, he continually demanded the world acknowledge him as The Tribal Chief.
Reigns want to be recognized as the top guy in the company - and WWE has booked him accordingly. He hasn't suffered defeat in a one-on-one contest since he reappeared at SummerSlam.
The Tribal Chief is presented as the most dominant force in the company. He won the WWE Universal Championship just seven days after his return.
Since then, Reigns has picked up emphatic victories over Kevin Owens, Drew McIntyre, Edge, and Daniel Bryan among others.
As good as Reigns has been in the ring, his work on the microphone has been even better. When Roman Reigns makes a statement during a promo, it genuinely feels like he believes what he is saying. Reigns has contempt for everyone around him.
This part of Reigns' persona will be enhanced when fans return to WWE shows - as he will be able to air all of his issues with the audience directly to their faces. The unique direction in which Roman has taken his character is perfect for the live event environment.
