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WWE began filming their weekly programming from the Performance Centre in Orlando, Floria, with only essential personnel in attendance from March 12th onwards.Taking a cue from AEW, they have been using fans for the past few weeks, with those present being trainees at the Performance Center or NXT talent.
Elimination Chamber 2020 was the last PPV that saw fans in attendance. WrestleMania 36 was aired with no fans in attendance, making it the first-ever empty WrestleMania in the company's history.
Professional wrestling shows and UFC were the only active sports programming during the pandemic. Wrestling is a participative and emotive form of entertainment that needs the reactions of a live audience to enhance the product. It has been unusual to watch these shows with no fans in attendance, but wrestling shows have come up with unique match structures to overcome the odds.
WWE deserves credit for using cinematic wrestling matches as an innovative way to make the product memorable for fans. Both the Boneyard Match as well as The Firefly Funhouse Match from WresltMania 36 have received universal acclaim for their creativity.
WWE programming, in general, and Monday Night RAW, in particular, have seen their ratings dip to historic lows with the pandemic in play. Some people believe no fans as the primary cause behind the declining viewership.
Despite the prevailing circumstances, some Superstars have been able to use this opportunity to make a mark in the minds of the fans. They have used the current situation to their advantage and made the shows entertaining and engaging as well. For the scope of this list, we will only be including wrestlers. However, fans have also come to appreciate the work of both MVP and Zelina Vega as managers.
Let's take a look at the top 7 WWE Superstars of the Empty Arena Era
#7 Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins has come into his own recently with his 'Monday Night Messiah' gimmick. After his less-than-impressive run with the Universal Championship in the summer of 2019, Rollins needed something fresh to reinvigorate his character on the main roster.
His eventual heel turn has done wonders for both him and his career. Even though he lost to Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 36, he immediately received a world title shot at the Money in the Bank PPV.
His feud with Drew McIntyre, as well as their match at the PPV, were done incredibly well. He is presently involved in a rivalry with the Mysterio family and is hell-bent on destroying the legacy of Rey Mysterio.
The impending match between the two should be a great watch, given the in-ring skills and prowess that both Rollins and Mysterio possess. It will be interesting to see if Dominick, Mysterio's son, makes his in-ring transition into the WWE fold through this feud.
Seth Rollins is firing on all cylinders with his promos as well as character work right now. With Murphy and Austin Theory by his side, Rollins is all set to make 2020 a great year for himself, as well as his stablemates. Both Murphy and Theory have gained much-needed TV time due to their on-screen allegiance with Seth Rollins.
All eyes will be on Rollins and his bag of tricks as he tries to get one over the Mysterio family.
#6 & #5 Sasha Banks & Bayley
The renewed pairing of Sasha Banks and Bayley has turned out to be one of the best things for both their careers. As a consequence of them being regaining the Women's Tag-Team titles, they have appeared on all three shows recently.
Their presence has made these shows an enjoyable watch, as they continue to rack up wins across all three brands. The chemistry between Banks and Bayley makes it an engaging experience for the viewer.
Everyone is anxiously waiting for these two to turn on each other, but WWE would be wise enough to hold off the eventual turn to a time when fans are allowed back into arenas. The plot has been simmering for quite a while now, making the eventual turn even more captivating.
Sasha Banks will be challenging Asuka for her RAW Women's Championship at the Extreme Rules PPV. Meanwhile, Bayley will look to defend her SmackDown Women's Championship against Nikki Cross.
Banks will also be facing NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai this coming Wednesday on NXT. It will be interesting to see if any miscommunication between Banks and Bayley causes Banks to lose the match-up and shot at the title.
The two have been a complete joy to watch, with each performing their roles with utmost brilliance.
#4 Asuka
Ever since WWE programming shifted to the Performance Centre, Asuka has emerged as an unsung hero of these shows. Her antics and character work has added a unique feel to her matches, while some other Superstars have struggled to make an impact.
There have been rumors circulating that the upper management, including Vince McMahon, is quite high on Asuka right now, owing to her performances in recent times.
With Becky Lynch taking time off due to her pregnancy, and Charlotte Flair sidelined with an injury, Asuka is the main attraction for the women's division on RAW.
She defeated Charlotte Flair this past week on RAW in what was quite an incredible match. Asuka is as slick as they come when it comes to running the ropes.
Several exciting, new challenges could arise for Asuka soon, perhaps in the form of Shayna Baszler, or her Kabuki Warriors teammate, Kairi Sane. Asuka will be defending her RAW Women's Championship against Sasha Banks at the Extreme Rules PPV.
Asuka is a legitimate star and has a presence unlike any other Superstar in WWE. The current circumstances have brought out her brilliance to the forefront.
#3 Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre has been on a tear on Monday nights, ever since he conquered Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36. The Scottish Psychopath has been a fighting champion, and it is a refreshing change to see a new face at the top of the WWE mountain.
His promos carry an intensity, and he oozes charisma, like no other Superstar on the WWE roster right now. His reign as the WWE Champion has been booked quite well by the WWE so far.
He has looked credible as a Champion against all challengers. It makes the utmost sense for WWE to give him a long run with the belt, while also cementing his status as a main-event attraction.
After warding off the threat of Rollins and Lashley at consecutive PPVs, Drew McIntyre will defend his title against Dolph Ziggler at the Extreme Rules PPV. There are hardly any fans who believe that Ziggler is a legitimate threat to Drew McIntyre's reign.
There are many high-potential money-drawing feuds left for McIntyre in his reign as Champion, with the likes of Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, and Aleister Black, to name a few. As the top guy in the company, McIntyre is carrying RAW on his shoulders right now.
#2 & #1 Edge & Randy Orton
Edge and Randy Orton have been intricately linked ever since Edge's miraculous return to a WWE ring after a nine-year hiatus. Hence it did not make sense to separate these two wrestlers in the context of this list. Fans were sent into a frenzy when they heard 'Metalingus' play as the countdown hit zero for entry No. 21 at this year's Royal Rumble.
The epic rivalry, which was renewed on the January 28th episode of Monday Night RAW, has become the highlight of this year. Edge and Orton have cut compelling promos, making their rivalry seem much more personal than ever before.
Orton is currently doing some of his career's best work, channeling his 'Legend Killer' persona. Meanwhile, Edge is doing everything possible to make fans realize how much we missed him. Their match at Backlash 2020 has probably been the best WWE match of the year so far.
There is one final chapter left in this feud. However, with Edge being on the shelf due to a triceps injury, WWE will have to wait a while. Their performances during such times are a clear indication as to why WWE has reliedon some veterans to help regain their ratings.
With Christian added to this story arc now, it can only get better and bigger from here onwards.
