WWE has reportedly canceled a late-night comedy event planned for Summerslam Weekend that was set to feature comedian Tony Hinchcliffe. The event was scheduled for Saturday, August 2nd, at 11pm ET at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey.
According to pwinsider.com, WWE decided to scrap the show due to weak ticket sales and low interest, as confirmed by sources at the venue. The comedy night was intended to include WWE superstars, entertainers, and surprise guests.
Hinchcliffe previously hosted “The Roast of WrestleMania” in April, an event that had mixed reactions from fans. While some enjoyed it as a fun way to cap off the WrestleMania festivities, others felt some jokes crossed the line, and there was criticism of Hinchcliffe’s role as host.
Inside WWE, the response to Hinchcliffe’s potential return was reportedly subdued, with some staff members expressing relief that the roast format wasn’t being repeated. Ultimately, WWE decided to cancel the entire planned comedy event featuring Hinchcliffe.
Due to slow ticket sales and a lack of enthusiasm behind the scenes, WWE opted to cancel the show rather than move forward with it. Summerslam will still proceed as planned in Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 2nd and 3rd.
Fan Take: This cancellation signals WWE’s cautious approach to integrating unconventional entertainment like comedy into their events, reflecting fan and internal feedback. For WWE fans, it highlights the importance of striking the right balance between wrestling and off-ring entertainment to maintain the sport’s appeal.
