The debut of the ThunderDome infused immediate energy into the WWE product during its SmackDown premiere.
For the past five months, WWE had been performing almost exclusively from the Performance Center, but that bandbox was never designed for weekly television. The move to Orlando’s Amway Center, where WWE now has residency for the foreseeable future, led to the creation of the ThunderDome, bringing virtual fans, pyro techniques and a new atmosphere to kick off SummerSlam weekend.
SmackDown highlighted how the ThunderDome can enhance wrestlers’ entrances in the empty arena/virtual fan era, which was immediately visible during The Fiend’s walk to the ring in the opening segment of the show.