Late Inning Field Goal: Bringing WrestleMania to (mostly) New Cities

The biggest story in wrestling to begin 2017 is New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 11 main event featuring Kenny Omega challenging Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. WhatCulture Wrestling’s Simon Miller recently posted a video making the case that New Japan Pro Wrestling is on the precipice of becoming the biggest competition to WWE, if they haven’t already established themselves as such[1]. Part of the reason why, argues Miller, is that NJPW is beginning to branch outside of Japan (2016).

Earlier this week, WWE announced that WrestleMania will be returning to New Orleans in 2018[2]. WrestleMania 30 was there just a couple of years ago. WWE should be looking to use it’s biggest event as a way to continue to solidify themselves as the biggest wrestling promotion in the world. WWE has not had a WrestleMania draw less than 70,000 in attendance since WrestleMania 22 in Chicago[3]. But it’s time for WWE to expand. Here are 10 locations WWE should consider hosting a WrestleMania event that fits their needs and expands their horizons…at least a little bit.

10) Denver, Colorado

Denver is one of the largest U.S. Cities to have never hosted a WrestleMania. Denver has Mile High Stadium, which has a capacity of 76,082[4]. This would be plenty of space. However, one would think that Denver would be a little on the chilly side for an outdoor WrestleMania in early April. According to Denver.org, the average temperature in April ranges from a low of 33 to a high of 62[5]. East Rutherford, NJ hosted an outdoor WrestleMania, and their average April temperature ranges from 40 to 62[6], not that different from Denver.

9) Minneapolis, Minnesota

U.S. Bank stadium may be a little small by WWE standards, with a capacity of 66,200[7]. However, it is the NFL’s newest stadium. Minneapolis has never hosted the event. Minneapolis also serves as Brock Lesnar’s “hometown” in WWE lore. Did I mention there’s a roof on the stadium?

8) Kansas City, Missouri

There would be a case to make for St. Louis when you factor in that the last two pay-per-view events in the Gateway City have seen the debut of Sting and the return of the Undertaker, respectively. St. Louis has a lot of history and is the hometown of 12-time champion Randy Orton. However, there is plenty of history in Kansas City, too. The first ever Money in the Bank standalone pay-per-view was held in Kansas City[8]. Every year when the event comes around, we’re reminded of how Kane won the Money in the Bank match and cashed in later that night against Rey Mysterio. It was at this inaugural edition of the event in Kansas City. There is more history surrounding Kansas City and professional wrestling, including the formation and early years of the NWA that I strongly encourage you to look up and read for yourself. But the biggest thing that Kansas City has going for them is Arrowhead Stadium. We’ll end the weather conversation with this: New York (East Rutherford, NJ) hosted an outdoor event. Arrowhead is often said to be one of the best atmospheres in the NFL with some of the best concessions. Hosting a WrestleMania in this historic venue in the middle of the country just makes too much sense. It also opens up the door for an amazing WrestleMania logo with the arrowhead built in.

7) Nashville, Tennessee

Nissan Stadium is smaller than Arrowhead and has far less of the mystique. However, Nashville is Music City. The logo alone—which would hopefully feature some sort of guitar—would be amazing. Tapping into country music, a style of music that WWE doesn’t often feature, might help expand the audience. One of the biggest draws of Nashville is that you could use that WrestleMania to feature and induct The Rock in the WWE Hall of Fame. Why Nashville over his hometown of Miami? The Rock attended high school in Nashville[9]. It’s next to impossible to find online, but I’ve heard stories of The Rock, while with WWE, sneaking off to listen to and sometimes play a little music while in Nashville. Highlighting one of the industry’s most electrifying entertainers makes Nashville an electrifying prospect for the Showcase of the Immortals.

6) Tokyo, Japan

This is where NJPW’s recent growth comes into play. Yes, the WWE signed Shinsuke Nakamura. However, hosting the biggest event of the year in Tokyo would be a surefire way to spark greater growth for WWE in the area. However, there are two huge reasons why Tokyo isn’t higher—and should probably be lower—on this list: 1) the stadium and 2) the time difference.

The Tokyo Dome, home of Wrestle Kingdom 11, would be the best option. With a capacity of roughly 55,000[10], however, it is by far the smallest venue on this list. The biggest issue is the time difference. Forgetting for a moment that WrestleMania often features a two-hour kickoff show, in order for a 7 p.m. Eastern time zone start, a Tokyo WrestleMania would have to begin at 9 a.m. local time. I am sure there are more than enough fans who would be willing to be there for 7 a.m. for the kickoff show, but it’s less than ideal.

5) Sydney, Australia

Speaking of less than ideal, there’s Sydney. Australia, on paper, does not seem to have the same international allure as Japan. However, there are two big things that Australia has over Tokyo: the stadium and two extra hours.

Like Tokyo, there would have to be a morning start for WrestleMania, but not quite as early. The kickoff show would begin at 9 a.m. local, not the Granddaddy of them All. Not much better, but a little. The biggest draw is Stadium Australia and the surrounding Olympic Park. WrestleMania week could be the biggest it has ever been with all of the amenities available[11].

4) Washington, D.C.

Do I need a bigger argument than “it’s the nation’s capital”? I didn’t think so. FedEx Field is probably the best venue option. Sure, it’s technically in Maryland, but that doesn’t stop the Redskins from being a “Washington” team. The New York WrestleMania at Metlife was techinically in New Jersey. Speaking of, weather would be comparable to that WrestleMania. It’s a win-win.

3) Boston, Massachusetts

This is the only city on the list to have hosted a WrestleMania before. But it hasn’t done so since 1998. That was 19 years ago! Boston is the eighth largest television market in the U.S.[12] The downside is that it is likely to be a bit cooler than New York and Gillette Stadium advertises a capacity of just 66,829[13]. As should be noted for all of these stadiums, that is likely less than a professional wrestling event can host when you factor in bring seats onto the field. Factor in the surrounding amenities in Patriot Place and you have a WrestleMania Week experience that can’t be rivaled by many U.S. cities.

2) Mexico City, Mexico

WWE has long been trying to build a base of Hispanic fans. In 2016, Latin Thunder discussed the WWE’s search, especially whttps://wc.pw/ithout Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio[14]. This was discussed heavily just before the return of Alberto Del Rio a couple of years ago. As the company has struggled to build and maintain a superstar to captivate the audience, why not bring WrestleMania to Mexico City? The NFL has played in Mexico City. There would be no issue with time zones. Estadio Azteca is plenty large enough for what the WWE wants out of WrestleMania venues. The history of wrestling in Mexico is as storied as that of wrestling in the U.S.

1) London, England

Was there ever a question that Wembley Stadium should host WrestleMania? It is almost a travesty that there will have been at least 34 WrestleMania events without having been housed in London. History: check. Stadium: check. Timezone: admittedly a challenge being five hours ahead of New York. But, WWE has already shown that they are want to expand in the area. This weekend, WWE has been in Blackpool, England, hosting a tournament live on the WWE Network to crown the first ever United Kingdom Championship. The United Kingdom is a hotbed of wrestling with several promotions, including the relatively new, but highly entertaining WhatCulture Pro Wrestling[15]. It’s time to bring WrestleMania across the pond.