Backstage Update on WWE Possibly Leaving Amway Center Next Month, Talks to Possibly Extend Stay Until Mid-December

– As previously reported, the current contract with the Amway Center and WWE in Orlando, Florida is expected to end on November 24. Jon Alba with Spectrum Sports reported that the NBA was looking to start its next season in December, and the Amway Center is where the Orlando Magic plays. Also, the ECHL Solar Bears would likely also be playing in the Amway Center in November. Dave Meltzer commented on how the situation is playing out on today’s Wrestling Observer Radio.

According to Meltzer, the current contract for WWE and the Amway Center is slated to end on November 24. However, he reported that both parties “have been negotiating for an extension.” So, it appears possible that WWE might remain at the Amway Center beyond the Nov. 24 date, but the ThunderDome would still have to be out of the arena well before the NBA’s timeframe.

If the NBA does begin a new season later this year, it’s currently slated to begin on December 22. The plan for this season is for the home teams to play in their home venues, so WWE would have to vacate the Amway Center well before December 22. Meltzer went on to say that WWE is also “looking for a permanent home where they can store everything.” A new arena option for WWE would be one where other regular sports aren’t played, since sports are looking to start up new seasons again.

Meltzer continued that he was informed by WWE that there’s still no official “hard out date” yet for the ThunderDome at the Amway Center, though with the NBA looking to start a new season on Dec. 22, WWE would likely have to leave Amway by mid-December. Meltzer added that the situation is “fluid” for a new arena due to the state of the world and the ongoing global pandemic. Unless something major happens with the new NBA season, it sounds probable that WWE is still leaving the Amway Center by mid-December at the latest.