WWE WrestleMania in chaos as show is forced into delay moments after taking the air

WWE were forced to delay its WrestleMania extravaganza just seconds after the show went on the air following bad weather in the area.

After more than a year filming and producing live shows and events from closed locations across the US due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Vince McMahon’s company finally welcomed back the WWE Universe for the blockbuster in Tampa.

But the return of live fans ran far from smoothly – fans had already been evacuated from their seats hours before the show began as thunder and lightning descended on Raymond James Stadium.

That havoc looked to have been side-stepped, however, as conditions eased enough for the 25,000 crowd to file back in and for McMahon to deliver an impassioned address welcoming them back.

WrestleMania then took to the air at 1am UK time – only for commentators to immediately inform the worldwide audience that the action for the night would in fact be delayed.

With the pay per view event underway, stars were sent on screen in a scrambled attempt to fill time, the likes of Shane McMahon, Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre delivering backstage promos as bewildered fans took shelter from the rain.

After a delay of more than 30 minutes the show got going as hosts Titus O’Neil and Hulk Hogan greeted fans, introducing the first match as the WWE title bout between Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley.