During an interview with Phid McAwesome of Downunder The Ring, Bryan Danielson, known as The American Dragon, revealed an idea he suggested behind the scenes at WWE amid the pandemic. Danielson pitched a storyline where Damian Priest would debut by feuding with Roman Reigns, aiming to elevate Priest as a major star.
Vince McMahon’s Unusual Approach to Crowd Noise
Danielson recounted one of Vince McMahon’s unique production habits related to the use of canned crowd noise. According to Danielson, McMahon would instruct producers to adjust the artificial reactions, turning the volume up to boost talent he intended to push and lowering it for those he favored less. Although Danielson found this practice odd, he believed that if Priest had been introduced opposite Reigns, maximizing the crowd’s audible response would have been crucial to the angle’s success.
WWE’s Pandemic Atmosphere and Audio Practices
Artificial crowd noise became a notable part of WWE shows during the pandemic when live audiences were restricted. Even after fans returned, the company continued using piped-in reactions for some time. However, since the Netflix era commenced and Paul “Triple H” Levesque assumed a major leadership role following Vince McMahon’s resignation amidst legal controversies, WWE has considerably reduced its reliance on artificial crowd sounds.
Implications of Danielson’s Insights on WWE’s Creative Direction
Danielson’s reflection offers a glimpse into WWE’s backstage decision-making and production quirks during a challenging period for the wrestling industry. Introducing Damian Priest in a feud against Roman Reigns could have accelerated Priest’s rise, while McMahon’s manipulation of crowd noise highlights the company’s emphasis on controlling audience perception. With Triple H steering WWE’s creative vision, changes in presentation strategy signal a new era that may focus more on authentic fan engagement.
“He would often turn it up for talent he wanted to push, while at other times deeming it too loud for those he wasn’t as high on.” —Bryan Danielson, WWE Commentator and Wrestler
