WWE RAW returns to Montreal after a 5-year absence

Text by Pat Laprade, Lutte.Québec

Earlier today, the European specialty site Catch-Newz published news that the WWE would be presenting a taping of its flagship show, Raw, on Monday, April 15, 2024, live from the Bell Centre in Montreal.

And while WWE hasn’t announced anything yet, I can confirm the news.

Indeed, WWE will be at the Bell Centre on April 15, just eight days after WrestleMania 40.

This will be the first Raw in Montreal since 2019, which, oddly enough, also took place on April 15.

Currently, Quebecer Kevin Owens is on SmackDown Fridays, while fellow Quebecer Sami Zayn is on Raw. However, we recently learned that Zayn has requested a leave of absence from WWE. So we don’t know if he’ll be back or not until April 15.

But, as we all know, a lot can change in four months. On another note, the event may well mark CM Punk’s return to Montreal after more than 10 years.

The post-WrestleMania Raw!
WrestleMania takes place in Philadelphia this year, on April 6 and 7. The post-Mania Raw will also take place in the City of Brotherly Love, on April 8. The company has therefore decided to stay on the East Coast, as it did in 2019 with New York and Montreal.

At least 10,000 spectators
In 2019, the event had attracted 10,500 spectators, while in April 2018, 13,500 fans had passed through the Bell Centre turnstiles for Raw. It should be noted that SmackDown was presented in the same arena, the day after these two shows.

The last time Raw was taped live from Quebec, it was in Quebec City itself last August, and drew 10,583 fans.

I’m expecting a crowd of between 12,000 and 13,000 for April 15.

SmackDown in Quebec City?
I’m already waiting for the question from Quebec City wrestling fans! Could the Centre Vidéotron host SmackDown?

It’s not impossible.

Although SmackDown is confirmed in Pittsburgh on April 19, it’s not impossible to believe that the show could be taped from Quebec City on the Friday before, April 12.

Alternatively, a non-televised show could be produced there on Saturday or Sunday. Stay tuned!

WWE’s next non-televised event is scheduled for December 28 at Place Bell.