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LIVE NOTES FROM SMACKDOWN, WHO WAS BACKSTAGE, TOP INDY PROMOTER VISITING AND MORE

Tonight's WWE Smackdown taping was 100% sold out with lots of section usually not used for WWE events, including VIP suites and areas usually blocked for production and behind the stage with limited view all utilized.  The only way the company would have been able to fit more people in would have been removing the entrance stage and going completely in the round, utilizing every section.  For the first time I can remember in many years, WWE had sold out signs on all the digital LED boards outside the venue warning that there were no walkup ticket sales.

WWE had a camera crew filming LA Knight when he arrived at Madison Square Garden this afternoon.  Knight appeared in a dark segment to open the taping where he cut off a Hit Row heel promo knocking NYC and ran them off.

Backstage but not used on the taping (beyond a backstage cameo for some) were Bobby Lashley, Rey Mysterio, Omos, Gallows and Anderson, The Street Profits and Cameron Grimes, among others. 

Rey Mysterio actually arrived unmasked to the venue and was taking tons of selfies with fans before the show.

GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale was visiting at the taping tonight.  His promotion is running in Hartford, CT tomorrow.

Gabbi Tuft, who wrestled for the company as Tyler Reks, was also at the event.

WWE did not announce a return date to the venue, so the most likely date will be the annual 12/26 post-Christmas show that has been a tradition forever.

WWE were selling special NYC 3:16 shirts and a Smackdown x New York Knicks crossover collaboration t-shirt.  The Knicks shirt was a hot seller with XL size gone almost immediately.  During the taping, they were pushing an "I Was There" Smackdown tour shirt to fans.

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