Why was WWE Late Night featuring Tony Hinchcliffe during SummerSlam weekend canceled?

WWE Late Night featuring Tony Hinchcliffe canceled due to poor ticket sales

WWE has pulled the plug on its planned late-night comedy show featuring Tony Hinchcliffe, which was set to take place during SummerSlam weekend. Originally scheduled for Saturday, August 2, at 11 PM ET at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey, the event has now been canceled.

According to a report from PWInsider, weak ticket sales were a key factor in the decision. A source at the venue confirmed that sales were “light” leading up to the cancellation, and there was little sign of improvement. WWE reportedly chose to cut its losses rather than proceed with a poorly attended show.

The event was expected to be a mix of stand-up comedy, appearances from WWE Superstars, and surprise guests, aimed at adding a fresh flavor to the WWE SummerSlam festivities.

Tony Hinchcliffe’s return was already controversial

Tony Hinchcliffe had previously hosted The Roast of WrestleMania in April, a comedy event that divided fans. Some enjoyed the bold, no-limits humor, while others criticized it for crossing lines and falling flat in tone.

Hinchcliffe himself came under fire for his approach, with many arguing he didn’t fit WWE’s broad, family-friendly audience.

Internally, WWE sources described the reaction to Hinchcliffe’s return as lukewarm at best. There was said to be little interest among staff in reviving the roast-style format, and the announcement of his involvement for SummerSlam weekend reportedly didn’t create much buzz backstage.

WWE opting for safer choices during SummerSlam

With SummerSlam being one of WWE’s biggest weekends of the year, the company is leaning into marquee matches and live fan experiences that are more guaranteed to draw. Canceling the comedy show is seen as a course correction rather than a setback.

The focus now shifts entirely to the main two-night WWE SummerSlam event at MetLife Stadium on August 2 and 3. With major bouts like Cody Rhodes vs John Cena headlining the card, WWE appears to be prioritizing what it does best, big-match storytelling inside the ring.

It’s unclear whether WWE will attempt similar late-night programming again in the future. For now, any plans involving Tony Hinchcliffe appear to be shelved completely.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram & Whatsapp.