Report: Why September 17 WWE SmackDown Was Moved

WWE made changes to their touring schedule on July 17 and it was announced the September 17 SmackDown taping at Atlanta's State Farm Arena had been cancelled. Pre-sale tickets for the event went on sale on July 16 and general sale tickets were set to go on sale on the day of the cancellation. 

According to Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, only 1700 tickets had been sold, which was the reason for the cancellation. State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, can hold up to 21,000 spectators. 

PWInsider noted the September 17 tapings have been moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. The new venue is assumed to be Thompson-Boling Arena, which also has a capacity of 21,000. 

Following the Friday Night SmackDown tapings on September 17, WWE will head to North Charleston, South Carolina for a house show. SmackDown's tour of the United Kingdom will then begin on Sunday with a live event at Utilita Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne. The blue brand will also visit London, Cardiff and Glasgow before returning to the United States for the September 24 SmackDown taping in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.