The comedy event planned for WWE’s SummerSlam weekend, titled “Short Nee Hinchcliffe,” has been officially canceled. Sources indicate one of the main reasons for this decision was the lack of fan interest, and notably, Paul Heyman was not involved in the show.
The event was initially scheduled for Saturday, August 2nd, at 11 PM in Englewood, New Jersey. It was intended to be a light-hearted comedy night featuring WWE superstars, special guests, and Hinchcliffe as the lead. Cody Rhodes was the only wrestler announced before WWE decided to cancel the event.
Despite poor ticket sales, a report from Pwinsider revealed that the cancellation was influenced by the lack of buzz compared to a previous WWE comedy event in Las Vegas during WrestleMania weekend. That event, which featured Paul Heyman roasting the talent, was well-received and generated genuine excitement.
WWE insiders admitted that the SummerSlam weekend comedy night didn’t generate the same hype, especially without Heyman’s presence. The company felt the event lacked impact and was unlikely to attract a strong crowd at a late-night New Jersey venue.
Reaction to Hinchcliffe’s role was tepid internally. WWE officials were reportedly relieved not to repeat the roast format, given the mixed feedback from talent during WrestleMania weekend.
In the end, the combination of low ticket sales, subdued backstage enthusiasm, and the absence of Heyman’s star power led to WWE deciding to scrap the event entirely rather than risk a low-energy comedy night.
Did WWE make the right call dropping the show without Heyman’s involvement, or could they have found another way to make it successful? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Fan Take: This cancellation highlights how much influence key personalities like Paul Heyman have on WWE’s special events, underscoring the challenge of creating engaging content without their star power. For fans, it signals that WWE may need to rethink how it approaches non-wrestling entertainment to keep the energy and interest high in the future.
