NEW YORK – 2014 was a landmark year for Wrestlemania. 30 years old. And as we approach its 31st birthday in March we can’t help but keep the celebrating going until the night before the Main Event at the Levis Stadium in March.
We’ve had some incredible matches over the years, there was the shock defeat of the Undertaker last year, the Rock vs Hulk Hogan, and the tables, ladders, and chairs match between three of the most exciting tag teams of all time. But it isn’t just the wrestlers that make it. It’s the venues too.
With tens of thousands of cheering fans surrounding the ring, the arena plays a major part in our entertainment.
We take a look at four of the best venues to hold Wrestlemania over the years…
Ford Field
It’s the home of the Detroit Lions and in April 2007 the venue heard the roar of 80,000 wrestling fans as the likes of The Undertaker, Batista, John Cena, and Shawn Michaels battled it out in the WWE’s most prestigious event.
It set a record attendance for the $430million build and broke all ticket sales for Wrestlemania. Perhaps the highlight was the Battle of the Billionaires match which saw Umaga take on Bobby Lashley, a bout which was set up by Donald Trump and Vince McMahon in a bid to end their rivalry.
Caesar’s Palace
Caesar’s Palace is no stranger to big names, with the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, and Muhammad Ali all fighting at the venue, and in 1993 the gloves came off for the arrival of Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart.
Packing almost 17,000 people into what was billed The World’s Largest Toga Party, the event took in the Vegas party atmosphere, with fans flocking to the casinos before enjoying the main event.
And with the world of gambling being more popular than ever before both online and off with the likes of the betfair roulette app and poker seeing record figures, it’d be incredibly exciting to see the even make a return to Sin City.
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Last year’s 30th edition of Wrestlemania stunned audiences across the planet, with the Superdome being the first location The Undertaker has ever lost a match in the prestigious event.
Taking place on April 6, the event had an estimated $142.2million economic impact of New Orleans and saw Hulk Hogan, the Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin share the ring to open the anniversary edition.
It was attended by over 75,000 people and set the attendance record at the home of the New Orleans Saints. Can it be bettered this year? We’ll have to wait until April to find out…
Madison Square Garden
If any venue was going to stake a claim to be the home of Wrestlemania it’d be Madison Square Garden. The infamous New York arena has played host to the event three times including the inaugural show back in 1985 which saw Hulk Hogan and Mr T team up to beat Rowdy Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
Liberace played special guest timekeeper during that event, which even saw Muhammed Ali as a referee. It set the tone for what is now thought of as the Super Bowl of sports entertainment, and with over 10 years without a Wrestlemania, surely it won’t be long before the city welcomes the even once more.
