Drones in the WWE are fast becoming a regular feature. In fact, these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become staples of the promotion’s live shows since it first unveiled the ThunderDome setup back in August.
Without their live fans, the WWE has been forced to ramp up production to turn every show into the kind of spectacle fans have been used to watching. And a big part of it is the pyrotechnics (as per usual) and video boards where virtual fans will be projected.
Equally important for the WWE now are drones, as they can, according to WWE executive vice president of television production Kevin Dunn, help his team “do things production-wise that we could never otherwise do.” Added Dunn: “We’re flying drones in the arena… So when a big star like Drew McIntyre comes down to the ring, the whole arena will turn into his content with lasers, pyro, smoke, projections on the top of the building and on the floor.”
This use of drones is vastly different from the way UAVs were initially used in the early- to mid-1900s, when they were mostly deployed as targets during training or for reconnaissance. Since then, drones have evolved greatly, to the point that they now have a variety of commercial uses. And Adorama’s range of drones is proof of this evolution, with today’s models routinely being used to capture footage from new perspectives that would otherwise be impossible using traditional methods of filming. In particular, modern-day drones such as the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and the DJI Phantom 4 Pro are equipped with powerful cameras that make them useful for more dynamic cinematography and in shooting a wide variety of angles. This is precisely the reason drones are proving to be a perfect fit for the WWE, whose over-the-top productions can certainly use the versatility that drones can afford in terms of videography and cinematography. And such need for shooting versatility is none more crucial than now, with the WWE looking to produce bigger and better shows to keep loyal fans entertained while watching in the comforts of their homes.
The use of ThunderDome drones, however, isn’t the first time the WWE has experimented with UAVs. Just last year, the promotion, by way of chief brand officer Stephanie McMahon, honored Triple H on his 50th birthday with a D-Generation X-inspired drone show that also showcased parts of The Game’s Hall of Fame solo career. It was a fitting tribute to the Cerebral Assassin and the company’s Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development, and yet another showcase of the many commercial uses of drones nowadays.
One reason more drones are being used in the WWE is because today’s models are becoming increasingly powerful. The drones featured on Wired, include the aforementioned DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ and is described as a super-powered flying machine. This all-white, hi-tech feat of engineering became one of WWE’s most compelling characters known as Vanguard 1, alongside its “owner” — the “broken” Matt Hardy. But only the most hardcore of wrestling fans know that Hardy and Vanguard 1 began in 2017, when Hardy debuted the Woken Matt Hardy gimmick that WWE head Vince McMahon so loved.
McMahon reportedly even gave Hardy full creative control of the character, which was a follow-up to Hardy’s acclaimed Broken gimmick in 2016. And central to this character was the aforementioned DJI Phantom that Hardy christened as Vanguard 1. The most notorious drone in the history of pro wrestling, Vanguard 1 took on a life of its own, at times even becoming an active participant in Hardy’s matches (usually as a distraction). Vanguard 1 was so popular back in the day, in fact, that the WWE gave it its own action figure — an honor usually reserved for only the most well-known of WWE superstars.
Of course, Hardy and Vanguard 1 have jumped ship to AEW, where their shtick is receiving fan acclaim (as expected). But this doesn’t mean that the WWE is done with drones. From the looks of it, drones have found a place in pro wrestling’s biggest promotion. Mostly, they are being used to enhance what is already must-see-TV coverage; however no one ought to rule out the WWE finding other ways to benefit from expansive drone use, especially in the near future.
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