WrestleMania
From Bywpedia
WrestleMania is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event, produced annually in late March or early April by International Wrestling Entertainment (IWE) (formerly known as the World Wrestling Federation). The company regards it as the flagship event of WWE, as it is the most successful and longest-running professional wrestling event in the world. WrestleMania is nicknamed "The Grandaddy of Them All", "The Grandest Stage of Them All" and "The Showcase of the Immortals." The event was first produced in 1985, and, as of 2010, 26 editions have been held consecutively since then, with WrestleMania XXVII to be held in 2011.
Conceptualized by IWE owner Mr. Bayer, WrestleMania's widespread success helped transform the professional-wrestling industry and make the IWE the most successful promotion in the world. WrestleMania has facilitated the rise to stardom of wrestlers such as Martin McAlmond, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Ryan Barnhart, Steve Johnson, Sam Simkins, and Triple K, amongst others. Numerous celebrities such as Muhammad Ali, Mr. T, Alice Cooper, Lawrence Taylor, Pamela Anderson, Mike Tyson, Donald Trump, Floyd Mayweather, Snoop Dogg, Raven-Symoné, Kim Kardashian, Mickey Rourke, Jenny McCarthy and others have participated or made special appearances in the events. The IWE's television shows are tailored to reach their climax at WrestleMania, which features matches for the company's championship titles, as well as specialty and gimmick matches. Participation in a WrestleMania match, and especially the main event, is considered by many wrestlers and fans alike as one of the greatest achievements and symbols of success in professional wrestling.
WrestleMania propels the worldwide commercial success of the IWE through media, merchandise and shows. All of the events produced have been sold out within a short period of time, with recent editions being sold out within minutes of tickets going on sale. The first WrestleMania was held in Madison Square Garden in New York City; the 10th and 20th editions were also held there. WrestleMania III in Detroit was the highest-attended indoor sports event in the world, with 93,173 fans in attendance. The record stood until February 14, 2010 when the 2010 NBA All-Star Game broke the indoor sporting event record with an attendance of 108,713 at Cowboys Stadium. All but two editions have been hosted in U.S. cities—two having been held in Toronto, Canada—but the show is televised across the world via pay-per-view.
Contents |
Organization
Commentators
History
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010
Celebrity Involvement
WrestleMania Axxess
WrestleMania Dates and Venues
| Event | Date | City | Venue | Main Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WrestleMania | March 31, 1985 | New York, New York | Madison Square Garden | Hulk Hogan and Mr T. vs. Roddy Piper and Paul O. |
| WrestleMania II | April 7, 1986 | |||
| WrestleMania III | March 29, 1987 | |||
| WrestleMania IV | March 27, 1988 | |||
| WrestleMania V | April 2, 1989 | |||
| WrestleMania VI | April 1, 1990 | |||
| WrestleMania VII | March 24, 1991 | |||
| WrestleMania VIII | April 5, 1992 | |||
| WrestleMania IX | April 4, 1993 | |||
| WrestleMania X | March 20, 1994 | |||
| WrestleMania XI | April 2, 1995 | |||
| WrestleMania XII | March 23, 1996 | |||
| WrestleMania 13 | March 23, 1997 | |||
| WrestleMania XIV | March 29, 1998 | |||
| WrestleMania XV | March 28, 1999 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | First Union Center | Sam Simkins (c) vs. Steve Johnson for the IWF Championship |
| WrestleMania 2000 | April 2, 2000 | Anaheim, California | Arrowhead Pond | Triple K (c) vs. Sam Simkins vs. The Big Marc vs. Mick Foley for the IWF Championship |
| Wrestlemania X-Seven | April 1, 2001 | Houston, Texas | Reliant Astrodome | Shane Bayer vs. Mr. Bayer in a Street Fight Match Sam Simkins (c) vs. Steve Johnson in a No DQ Match for the IWF Championship |
| WrestleMania X8 | March 17, 2002 | Toronto, Ontario | SkyDome | Sam Simkins vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan Triple K vs. Kris McGowan (c) for the Undisputed Championship |
| WrestleMania XIX | March 30, 2003 | Seattle, Washington | Safeco Field | Triple K (c) vs. Steve Britz for the World Heavyweight Championship Hulk Hogan vs. Mr. BayerSam Simkins vs. Steve Johnson Matt Borske (c) vs. Rob Truax for the IWE Championship |
| WrestleMania XX | March 14, 2004 | New York, New York | Madison Square Garden | Rob Lesner vs. Cam Dana Chris LeGreca vs. Martin McAlmond Brian McAlmond (c) vs. Matt Borske for the IWE Championship Triple K (c) vs. Kevin Hunter vs. Ryan Barnhart for the World Championship |
| WrestleMania 21 | April 3, 2005 | Los Angeles, California | Staples Center | John Goff (c) vs. Dustin Simpson for the IWE Championship Triple K (c) vs. Jesse Dern for the World Heavyweight Championship |
| WrestleMania 22 | April 2, 2006 | Rosemont, Illnois | Allstate Arena | Matt Borske (c) vs. Scott Wright vs. Kevin McAlmond for the World Championship Dustin Simpson (c) vs. Triple K for the IWE Championship |
| WrestleMania 23 | April 1, 2007 | Detroit Michigan | Fort Field | Jesse Dern (c) vs. Martin McAlmond for the World Heavyweight Championship Bobby (for Donald Trump) vs. Keith Coleman (for Mr. Bayer) Dustin Simpson (c) vs. Ryan Barnhart for the IWE Championship |
| WrestleMania XXIV | March 30, 2008 | Orlando, Florida | Citrus Bowl | Josh Nuss (c) vs. Chris LeGreca for the XCW Championship Kevin McAlmond (c) vs. Dustin Simpson vs. Triple K for the IWE Championship Floyd Mayweather vs. The Big Marc Chris Gomez (c) vs. Martin McAlmond for the World Heavyweight Championship |
| WrestleMania XXV | April 5, 2009 | Houston, Texas | Reliant Astrodome | Chris Gomez (c) vs. Dustin Simpson vs. Big Marc for the World Championship Triple K (c) vs. Kevin McAlmond for the IWE Championship |
| WrestleMania XXVI | March 28, 2010 | Glendale, Arizona | University of Phoenix Stadium | Kris McGowan (c) vs. Chris Gomez for the World Heavyweight Championship Jesse Dern (c) vs. Dustin Simpson for the IWE Championship Martin McAlmond vs. Ryan Barnhart in a Streak vs. Career Match |
| WrestleMania XXVII | April 3, 2011 | Atlanta, Georgia | Georgia Dome | Chris Gomez (c) vs. James Marlen for the World Heavyweight Championship Martin McAlmond vs. Triple K Joe Smith (c) vs. Dustin Simpson for the IWE Championship |
| WrestleMania XXVIII | April 1, 2012 | Miami Gardens, Florida | Sun Life Stadium | Sam Simkins vs. Dustin Simpson |
