AJ Styles says WWE’s ThunderDome era during the COVID-19 pandemic was a low point for wrestlers. He told listeners that performing without live fans hurt the energy of the shows.
Styles on performing without fans
On The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles explained how important fans are to pro wrestling. He said the ThunderDome and other closed-door shows made wrestling feel empty.
“It was absolutely terrible,” Styles said. “Fans of pro wrestling, you have no idea how much it hurts when you’re not there, because the energy and the excitement that we get from you is everything. If we don’t have you, it’s just not good to us either. It hurts. I can’t explain why it hurts more than it does when you guys aren’t there. But it does. It’s tough. The COVID era was one of the hardest things, I think, that we had to go through.”
He made those remarks on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast (h/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription).
What the ThunderDome was
During the pandemic, WWE used the ThunderDome concept to keep shows running. Instead of live fans, WWE showed virtual fans on screens. The shows were filmed at the Performance Center and other closed locations.
AEW took a different approach at the same time. They ran shows from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville and eventually allowed a limited number of socially distanced fans to attend. The two companies offered very different experiences during the pandemic.
Mixed reactions from wrestlers and fans
The ThunderDome era remains a mixed memory for many. Some wrestlers and fans liked the virtual crowd for its unique look and creative camera work. Names like Bryan Danielson and Sami Zayn have shared positive takes on that time.
But others, like AJ Styles, found the lack of live crowd energy to be damaging. Styles, who is set to enter the WWE Hall of Fame, said the absence of fans made the work much harder and less satisfying.
Watch the interview
Below is the podcast episode where Styles discussed the ThunderDome and wrestling during COVID-19.
Styles’ comments are a reminder of how much live fans shape pro wrestling. For many performers, the crowd is part of the match itself, not just an audience. Removing that element proved difficult for some of the sport’s top stars.
