Report: WWE Cancel Plans To Run Shows With Fans In Late July

Last week, it emerged that Vince McMahon planned to tape episodes of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown with fans in attendance in late July. 

WWE had booked the 8,000-seat RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida for July 24 and July 27 and the dates were set to be announced this week as McMahon wanted the wrestling behemoth to be the first company to run a live indoor sports event with a crowd.

Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio those plans were cancelled yesterday because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. WWE will continue to hold TV tapings at the WWE Performance Center and Full Sail University for the foreseeable future.

Meltzer said: "The dates July 24 and 27 were cancelled this afternoon officially by WWE. The people who were going to work those shows got the word this afternoon." 

Coronavirus cases have increased dramatically since The Sunshine State reopened on June 5 and 86,158 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past three weeks.