That’s the question on the minds of many professional wrestling fans in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. Pittsburgh has a rich history when it comes to WWE events, hosting major pay-per-views and episodes of Raw and SmackDown over the years. However, it’s been a few years since the last WWE event in Pittsburgh, leading fans to wonder if the promotion has plans to return anytime soon.
History of WWE in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has hosted WWE events going all the way back to the early days of the company (then known as WWF). The city’s Civic Arena hosted large events like SummerSlam in 2000, as well as many episodes of Raw and SmackDown over the years. Some of WWE’s biggest stars like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and John Cena have competed in Pittsburgh numerous times.
More recently, Pittsburgh hosted the Fastlane pay-per-view in 2019 at the PPG Paints Arena. That event was headlined by The Shield taking on Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre, and Bobby Lashley. Before that, the last major WWE event in the city was Raw and SmackDown tapings in 2017. So while Pittsburgh has been a staple city for WWE over the years, it has been a few years since hosting a major show.
Potential for WWE to Return
There are a few factors that suggest Pittsburgh could be in line for another WWE event soon:
- Passionate fanbase – Pittsburgh is known to have a passionate, loyal fanbase that loves wrestling. This was evident during the 2019 Fastlane event which drew over 12,000 fans.
- Good venue options – Between PPG Paints Arena (where the Penguins play) and PNC Park (Pirates baseball stadium), there are two excellent venues capable of hosting large WWE events.
- Strategic location – Pittsburgh’s location in the Northeast region of the U.S. makes it attractive for routing WWE tours as they travel between cities.
WWE tends to return to cities that have shown they can draw good crowds and react positively to the shows. Based on those factors, Pittsburgh seems like it would be on WWE’s radar for a future event.
Potential Timeline
As of now, WWE does not have any live events scheduled for Pittsburgh in 2023. However, their events calendar tends to be fluid with changes happening frequently. Here are some potential windows where Pittsburgh could host a WWE event this year:
- April/May – WWE typically tours in the spring after WrestleMania. This would be a good time to hit a market like Pittsburgh.
- August/September – SummerSlam takes place in July or August, so the fall tour could bring WWE to Pittsburgh.
- November/December – WWE tours heavily in the fall promoting Survivor Series and the build to the Royal Rumble. A stop in Pittsburgh during this time would make sense.
Barring a special one-off event like a TV or PPV taping, the most likely scenario seems to be WWE holding a live show in Pittsburgh during one of their seasonal tours later this year. This would give fans in the area the chance to see their favorite WWE superstars in action.
Level of Interest in Pittsburgh
Judging by fan reactions on social media and wrestling forums, there appears to be high interest and demand among Pittsburgh wrestling fans for a WWE event. When rumors of a possible show surfaced last year, many fans immediately started pleading for more information and encouraging others to reach out to WWE about coming to the city.
Some sample social media reactions:
- “We NEED a WWE show back in the Burgh! It’s been way too long.”
- “PGH is a great wrestling city. WWE has to come back soon and give us a chance to show it!”
- “WWE in Pittsburgh just feels right. The fans here will show up and get loud, we always do!”
The energetic crowd that showed up for Fastlane 2019 despite a lackluster card also demonstrates the passion Pittsburgh fans have for WWE events. The promotion would be smart to capitalize on this interest sooner rather than later.
Should WWE Add Pittsburgh to its Tour Schedule?
Based on the factors looked at here, WWE should strongly consider putting Pittsburgh back into its regular tour schedule. Here are some key reasons why:
- Past success holding events in the city shows there is a viable fanbase and suitable venues.
- Pittsburgh’s location makes it a logical stop as WWE tours the Northeast region.
- Interest on social media and fan sites indicates high demand for WWE’s return.
The only potential downside could be that Pittsburgh is a smaller market compared to places like New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. However, its passionate fanbase helps make up for that. Pittsburgh may not be suitable for a major pay-per-view anymore, but it appears primed to host a TV taping or live show.
Likelihood of WWE Returning Soon
Given everything discussed, I would estimate there is a strong 75-80% chance that WWE brings a live touring event to Pittsburgh within the next year. The city’s proven track record combined with the vocal demand from fans makes it an enticing market for WWE as they plan out their touring schedule.
Barring any major changes with WWE’s business plans or scheduling process, Pittsburgh should be in a prime position to get a show. Now it just remains to be seen when it will happen and what kind of event it ends up being. But the odds seem favorable for Pittsburgh wrestling fans to get what they’ve been waiting for.
Conclusion
Pittsburgh has played host to many major WWE events over the years, but has been absent from the touring schedule for the last few years. Based on the city’s passionate fanbase, strong venue options, and strategic location, WWE has plenty of incentive to bring a live show back to the area soon. Judging by fan reactions online, there is intense interest and demand locally for WWE’s return. While nothing is confirmed yet, there is a strong likelihood that Pittsburgh will be seeing more WWE action within the next year as the promotion resumes more extensive tours. So for wrestling fans in western Pennsylvania, the question seems less if WWE will return, but when.
