Why WWE Avoids the Historic Hammerstein Ballroom: A Logistical Nightmare Confirmed
The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City holds a legendary status in professional wrestling history. However, despite its iconic appeal, WWE rarely runs televised events there. Recent comments from Timothée Chalamet and Cody Rhodes shed light on why the promotion has largely outgrown the venue, revealing a surprising amount of logistical challenges. Let’s dive into the details.
Triple H & Cody Rhodes Detail Backstage Issues
During a recent appearance on the “What Do You Wanna Talk about?” podcast, actor Timothée Chalamet discussed the difficulties of holding a WWE event at the Hammerstein Ballroom with Triple H. He explained that the WWE executive told him making a profit there is “basically unfeasible.”
Specifically, Chalamet relayed that the venue’s biggest issue is its single elevator.Everything - equipment, talent, and production materials – must be moved in and out using this one access point.
Cody Rhodes, who has wrestled at the Hammerstein Ballroom for promotions like Ring of Honor, corroborated Triple H’s assessment. While acknowledging the venue’s unique atmosphere, Rhodes confirmed the backstage conditions are far from ideal.
“He’s right,and I appreciate that he gave you logistics,” rhodes stated. “The other thing is it’s the worst back of house ever.” He further described the conditions as “open windows, freezing, there’s no room for anything.”
A Venue Steeped in Wrestling History, Despite the Drawbacks
Despite the practical hurdles, the Hammerstein Ballroom remains a beloved venue for many wrestling fans. Chalamet himself cited ECW: One Night Stand 2006 as his all-time favourite pay-per-view.
This historic event,featuring Rob Van Dam’s WWE Championship win over John Cena,took place in front of a notoriously passionate crowd. However, WWE hasn’t held a televised event there since resurrecting the ECW brand in August 2006.
Today, WWE’s large-scale productions simply don’t fit within the Hammerstein Ballroom’s limitations. Other promotions, like AEW, GCW, TNA, and ROH, continue to utilize the space, but WWE’s needs have evolved.
What’s Next for Rhodes & Chalamet?
Both men have exciting projects on the horizon.
* Cody Rhodes is preparing to defend his position as a top WWE star against NXT Champion Oba Femi at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th in Washington D.C. This event will also mark John Cena’s final in-ring appearance.
* Timothée Chalamet is gearing up for the release of his new film, Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie. The movie, inspired by table tennis legend Marty Reisman, hits US theaters on Christmas Day.
Ultimately, while the Hammerstein Ballroom will always hold a special place in wrestling lore, its logistical challenges make it an impractical choice for modern WWE productions. You can find the original discussion on the “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast, transcribed by WrestlingNews.co.
Source: What Do you Wanna Talk About? (h/t WrestlingNews.co)
Related reading