WWE Starrcade "A Disaster On Every Level"
Technical difficulties and empty seats defined the event.
Dec 2, 2019
The WWE Network special Starrcade aired live on the WWE Network last night from the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth, Georgia. The broadcast lasted just over an hour, and has been described as
"a disaster on every level" by Bryan Alvarez.WWE's promotion of the event meant many wrestling fans didn't actually know the show was going to take place. Both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown failed to mention the event, and beyond an article published on Friday, WWE's own website ignored the Network special. This meant many "#Starrcade" tweets were from surprised fans who were shocked the event was being broadcast.
Attendance for the show was also poor, with photos circulating on social media showing a half empty arena. While the live broadcast gave the impression the show was sold out, all of the empty seats were behind WWE's hard camera.
https://twitter.com/ringsidenews_/status/1201300908241489920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1201300908241489920&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inquisitr.com%2F5772119%2Fwwe-news-starrcade-photo-small-crowd%2F
Technical difficulties also marred the broadcast for those in attendance and watching at home. Fans who knew the event was taking place were unable to watch the show as the WWE Network experienced unexpected difficulties. Those in attendance couldn't hear Ric Flair during the opening promo, the ring being showered with chants of "we can't hear you."
One of the advertised matches for the one hour special did not even take place. Fans expecting to see Bobby Lashley and Rusev face off in a Last Man Standing Match were instead greeted by a forfeit victory for The Almighty. Lana's restraining order against her soon to be ex-husband meant Rusev could not compete. Instead fans watched a normal singles contest between Lashley and Kevin Owens, which ended in disqualification. Rusev once again ignored the restraining order and attacked the former ECW Champion to end the broadcast.