WrestleMania 24 venue

[NeanderCarl]

Apparently WrestleMania 24 is slated to be held at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. This is the same arena that Royal Rumble 1990 was held at.

I can't understand why WrestleMania, one of the only WWE brand names which has the brand value to remain a huge money spinner even during popularity dips, is once again being held at a medium size arena. One thing about WrestleMania 22 that I noticed was how small and un-WrestleMania-like the crowd was for the show. So, this year they are sure to have the most impressive wrestling crowd in many years, with 70,000+ likely to be in Detroit.

So why then follow this success by booking such a small venue for the next Mania?? This show is a guaranteed sell-out every year, no matter what the card. Usually it sells out before a single match is announced. It's also one of the shows that draws crowds from overseas to travel to watch it live.

Okay, maybe they don't want to make the same mistake they made with WrestleMania VII, where they had to move the show due to low ticket sales (and then lie and say because of a bomb threat... a bomb threat, is it Vince? what did you do with the extra 76,000 people that would have been at the LA Coliseum if you hadn't HAD to move it to the LA Memorial Arena on the day of the show? Did you just send them all home?? A likely story...)

But isn't there a 40,000/50,000 capacity arena somewhere they could use? One thing that always makes WrestleMania special is a HUGE crowd.

[Jeritron]

I agree, but I don't think it's always their priority. I'm not really qualified to know why this is so, but I think more goes into choosing a venue for such an event besides just the number of seats.

I had heard it was going to be either Orlando, Atlanta or Las Vegas. Personally I would have liked to see it in the Georgia Dome or something. I too prefer the large wrestlemania crowd. I'm suprised this years is even in such a large arena.
It always seemed to me like their venues during the attitude era were so small because they had booked them before they had exploded. Then when the company was on a new high, they booked larger venues. So even though popularity and the product quality dropped after that time, the post attitude era venues were huge. Most likey because they stemmed from the success of that time period.
Then after WMXX, they did two small venues, which would further that theory. Although them doing Ford Field in Detroit pretty much blows that out of the water. Personally, I'd like to see them do Las Vegas, Atlanta, Miami, and Boston in the near future for WMs

[NeanderCarl]

It probably won't happen because it's such a risky venture, but an outdoor arena would be pretty cool for a WrestleMania. One of the things I liked about WrestleMania IX was the outdoor arena in the Caesars Palace car park. Gave the show a different feel.

How bout Shea Stadium? RFK Stadium?

If they weren't so apprehensive about doing a WrestleMania outside of North America (due to time differences, travel costs etc.) they could certainly fill the new Wembley Stadium (which, taking into account the additional seats available for a wrestling show, would hold around 95,000) or Cardiff's Millennium Stadium (which would hold around 80,000), Barcelona's Nou Camp (100,000+) or any number of locations across Europe. I think Vince has no desire to top his fictional figure of 93,175 for WrestleMania III... he wants that to be his big achievement in life, even though he drew a legit bigger crowd to SummerSlam '92 in Wembley than he had in Pontiac.

[RP]

It probably won't happen because it's such a risky venture, but an outdoor arena would be pretty cool for a WrestleMania. One of the things I liked about WrestleMania IX was the outdoor arena in the Caesars Palace car park. Gave the show a different feel.




I thought the outdoor arena sucked. It took something away from the event IMO. It just didnt look or feel right.





Okay, maybe they don't want to make the same mistake they made with WrestleMania VII, where they had to move the show due to low ticket sales (and then lie and say because of a bomb threat... a bomb threat, is it Vince? what did you do with the extra 76,000 people that would have been at the LA Coliseum if you hadn't HAD to move it to the LA Memorial Arena on the day of the show? Did you just send them all home?? A likely story...)



Explain what happend again? Cause thats news to me.

[Jeritron]

It probably won't happen because it's such a risky venture, but an outdoor arena would be pretty cool for a WrestleMania. One of the things I liked about WrestleMania IX was the outdoor arena in the Caesars Palace car park. Gave the show a different feel.

How bout Shea Stadium? RFK Stadium?

If they weren't so apprehensive about doing a WrestleMania outside of North America (due to time differences, travel costs etc.) they could certainly fill the new Wembley Stadium (which, taking into account the additional seats available for a wrestling show, would hold around 95,000) or Cardiff's Millennium Stadium (which would hold around 80,000), Barcelona's Nou Camp (100,000+) or any number of locations across Europe. I think Vince has no desire to top his fictional figure of 93,175 for WrestleMania III... he wants that to be his big achievement in life, even though he drew a legit bigger crowd to SummerSlam '92 in Wembley than he had in Pontiac.

Wrestlemania takes place at a time where you can't trust whether though. Especially in those areas. The only safe bet for an outside event would probably be San Diego.

[NeanderCarl]

Basically, WWE booked the L.A. Memorial Coliseum (capacity 92,500) for WrestleMania VII and announced such at WrestleMania VI. For a year, they maintained that WrestleMania was being held at the Coliseum. When the planned main event of Hulk Hogan vs Sgt Slaughter failed to set the world alight, the ticket sales for the event were very poor. On the day of the show, WWE moved the show to the next door L.A. Memorial Sports Arena (capacity, approx. 17,000), claiming that there had been a bomb threat due to the whole Slaughter, pro-Iraqi angle.

Thing is, even the Sports Arena wasn't full.

[Jeritron]

You can't have Wrestlemania in a time zone that far apart tho, because as you stated theres major problems. You either face the problem of starting Wrestlemania at extremeley inconvenient times either there or here. Or else you air it taped, in which case people can look up results and it loses the live feel as well. This would cause buyrates to plummet.

[NeanderCarl]

I wouldn't say plummet. If you want to watch the show, you'll watch it. You could get the results of a WrestleMania on the internet anyway, and not buy the show, whether it's airing live or taped.

I remember SummerSlam '92 took place in the afternoon, like most PPVs did back then. So I'm assuming it must have aired on tape in the US then? I don't think it would be much of an issue, because you could start the US broadcast while the show is still ongoing (you could start the show at 10pm UK time at the arena, and begin showing it at 8pm in the US, leaving the UK fans in the arena for another hour, assuming it's a four hour show, before the show ends, meaning less internet coverage of the spoilers.)

But anyway, like I said, with a big PPV show, you can read instant spoilers on the internet anyway (such as on these forums). If you were gonna order the show, you'll order it anyway.

[NeanderCarl]

Admittedly, you guys will lose the "live" feel to the show... but every single PPV we watch live, we're up until 4am watching, so you can't feel hard done by if we get ONE show over here at a reasonable time.

[Jeritron]

That was 1992. This is 2007. Huge differences in the wrestling business and most importantly the internet. I understand that people who want to watch it watch it, but the amount of people who would want to watch it would drop for a variety of reasons. I think its fair to say that the buyrates would be considerably lessened if it wasn't live and/or in primetime.

[Jeritron]

Admittedly, you guys will lose the "live" feel to the show... but every single PPV we watch live, we're up until 4am watching, so you can't feel hard done by if we get ONE show over here at a reasonable time.

I suppose, but not wrestlemania haha. Not to sound like a dick, its more of what WWE thinks, but they cater to their American crowd because they're an american company with 99.9% american venues. So even though they'll take your money and are glad to make their way over there once in a blue moon, whether you have to stay up late or miss work or whatever is none of their fucking concern. Not saying its fair, just kinda how it is.

I'd love to see perhaps a Summerslam in Wembley. I wouldn't even mind Wrestlemania it's just the time differences that suck. I wish we could all have our cake and eat it too.

[NeanderCarl]

I'd settle for a Royal Rumble.

[NeanderCarl]

Only thing is, Royal Rumble would suffer more so than WrestleMania. All it takes is one name to get out, the Rumble winner, and watching the show is rendered null and void.

[Jeritron]

4 hours isn't TOO bad. I think the crowd would be well worth the difference. If a Rumble started at 6 or 7pm here on the eastcoast, it would start at 10 or 11 there. Personally, I don't see the problem. I'd rather see the Rumble in front of that Wembley crowd just once.

[Jeritron]

Only thing is, Royal Rumble would suffer more so than WrestleMania. All it takes is one name to get out, the Rumble winner, and watching the show is rendered null and void.

Thats very true. The mystery of who wins the rumble probably accounts for half their buys.

[Team Sheep]

The UK is 5 hours ahead of Eastern US time. If they had a Wrestlemania over here, it would have to start at midnight to suit the US time zone, which is the first priority. I really doubt that would put any fans here off though, if it were to happen from midnight - 4am. They do it whenever there's boxing on over here, so why not? Places like the Nou Camp, Wembley, or the Millenium Stadium would be amazing to host Mania. Although the Nou Camp and Wembley are open air stadiums so that might be a bit of a gamble. Cardiff's Millennium Stadium (80,000+) would be ideal. :D

http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/projects/cardiff/images/millennium_stadium1.jpg

http://www.london2012.com/NR/rdonlyres/C5E33C8C-D8BE-47AF-B084-CAB529A12328/0/millennium_stadium.jpg

But sadly, I doubt they'd ever host something as big as Wrestlemania here in Wales :(

[Jordan]

I think a UK Wrestlemania would be great, im all for it, who cares about if its taped or not, UK deserves it.

[NeanderCarl]

Although the Nou Camp and Wembley are open air stadiums so that might be a bit of a gamble.

Nah, Wembley has a retractable roof now, just like the Millennium.

[Team Sheep]

I thought it was just an arc thing? I didn't realise it was a proper roof.

[Tornado]

Nah, Wembley has a retractable roof now, just like the Millennium.

The roof will only cover the seats, not the pitch. I remember rumours around a year ago that WM24 was gonna be at Wembley, think Rob Harvey mentioned it on here. But with all the dleays the new stadium has had, WWE have probably gone elsewhere and booked another arena.

[Gone Mad]

The reason why this is cool to me is cuz this means that I'm going to Mania 24. Wooo! Even if it prob means Cena v. Khali or some shit Main event, still... WOOO!

[NeanderCarl]

The roof will only cover the seats, not the pitch.

No, when the roof is closed the majority of the stadium will be covered, including most of the pitch.

[NeanderCarl]

Anyway, fuck Wembley.... bring it to Cardiff.

[Team Sheep]

Lol can you imagine Wrestlemania weekend in Cardiff!! Holy crap. They could have the Hall of Fame at the brand new theatre in the bay. Went there a few months back, sweet place.

Ok I'm getting carried away lol.

[Tornado]

The roof is 11 acres, they can move 4 of it, they can't cover the whole pitch, just the seats, it's designed like that to allow maximum sunlight onto the pitch.

[Jeritron]

They're 4 hours ahead of Eastern time, right? Which is what WWE mainly caters to with its times. However I think a daytime Wrestlemania in the states wouldn't be bad. I mean, its a Sunday anyways. An afternoon Wrestlemania in America could be great, and you guy would get an epic Wrestlemania (at least event and venue wise) over there. It'd be great for all parties. I really think they should go international at least once. Of course they've done two in Toronto, but thats not really the same.

[Rammsteinmad]

Wrestlemania at Wembley would be awesome.

I agree with Neandercarl though. Wrestlemania 17, 18 and 19 were awesome because of the crowds. And WM3. Madison Square Garden for the novelty for WM20 I can understand, but after that they stuck to normal PPV size arenas.

[Team Sheep]

The crowd sort of half made Mania at WM 17, 18 and 19 IMO.

[NeanderCarl]

Not just the size of the crowd, but wrestling shows in stadiums just look and sound better, the whole setting screams "this is HUGE".

[NeanderCarl]

When I watched WrestleMania 22 I couldn't believe how small the arena was, I think they hold Raw/SmackDown shows in that arena on quite a regular basis. PPVs should be bigger anyway, but Wrestlefreakin'Mania! In a small, Raw arena?

[Jeritron]

I agree. Especially in the mid to late 90s when they were holding ppvs in regular sized arenas with lackluster entrance ways and pyrotechnics. The whole thing seemed like such a step down from the early days of Wrestlemania.

[The Show Off]

When I watched WrestleMania 22 I couldn't believe how small the arena was, I think they hold Raw/SmackDown shows in that arena on quite a regular basis. PPVs should be bigger anyway, but Wrestlefreakin'Mania! In a small, Raw arena?

Especially since Wrestlemania 22's theme was "Big Time."

[Theo Dious]

I would love for WM to happen in an outdoor arena, and for a freak rainstorm to happen halfway through the main event.

[NeanderCarl]

They would finish the match, regardless.

[NeanderCarl]

And lots of fans would probably stay and watch it too.

[Jeritron]

It'd be fucking memorable. Imagine Undertaker winning a match or a title in an unexpected thunder and lightning storm, and doing the pose. That'd be a godsent markout moment.

[Stickman]

I remember watching old footage of Stadiums half empty. Like didnt' Ric Flair win a championship at a baseball stadium that was majorly empty?

[St. Jimmy]

They should bring a DECENT Mania to Detroit.

[Jeritron]

I'd like to see them use another baseball field like Safeco.

[NeanderCarl]

Safeco looked great at WrestleMania XIX.

[Shadow]

When did the WWE do a show at RFK?

[NeanderCarl]

Don't think they have. It's just an example of a larger arena/stadium.

[NeanderCarl]

Here's the intro from a show WWE held at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1991. Capacity is not very large, but the aesthetics were very good, IMO.

<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q4dxDv5pF4Y"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q4dxDv5pF4Y" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

[NeanderCarl]

If they are sticking to smaller crowds for WrestleMania, then what more prestigious a venue to hold one than Royal Albert Hall??

[Marc the Smark]

Apparently WrestleMania 24 is slated to be held at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. This is the same arena that Royal Rumble 1990 was held at.

I thought Royal Rumble 1990 was held at the Orlando Arena :shifty:

[FakeLaser]

They should do another outdoor Wrestlemania, though I guess they are too hard to plan with the weather and all.

[NeanderCarl]

I thought Royal Rumble 1990 was held at the Orlando Arena :shifty:

Same place. All these venue name changes are too difficult to keep up with, as all these corporations get arenas named after them. I often don't realise that a show is coming from the same venue that a classic event happened in years ago. Eg. I didn't know that the Times Union Centre, the venue for Edge's first WWE title win, was also The Knickerbocker Arena, site of Ric Flair's victory in the greatest Royal Rumble of all time, until I just randomly looked it up.

[NeanderCarl]

I thought the Amway/Orlando Arena was a good looking venue at Rumble 90, but it didn't seem as impressive at Armageddon a few years back, something looked different.

Why not keep with the theme of "20 years on", and go back to Atlantic City for next years show?? I know it was universally unpopular, but I really liked the Trump Plaza setting for Manias 4 and 5.

[Marc the Smark]

I thought the Amway/Orlando Arena was a good looking venue at Rumble 90, but it didn't seem as impressive at Armageddon a few years back, something looked different.

Why not keep with the theme of "20 years on", and go back to Atlantic City for next years show?? I know it was universally unpopular, but I really liked the Trump Plaza setting for Manias 4 and 5.

No offense NeanderCarl, but I thought Trump Plaza worked well for the WrestleManias.

[Volare]

I kinda liked the whole set up for WM X-8 where the huge ass screen was already there so less maintenance...plus the entertainment was great...

Too bad we'll never have as good of matches as they did during that time, but that's why I love DVD

[NeanderCarl]

No offense NeanderCarl, but I thought Trump Plaza worked well for the WrestleManias.

Why would I be offended? I think so too.

I don't know if it would look as good now, apparently Boardwalk Hall has had a lot of renovation, could look totally different now I guess.

There have been a couple of SmackDowns held there over the last few years but I don't ever remember seeing them.

[Rob]

Apparently they were quite close to going to Melbourne for Mania 24.