Future WrestleMania at Michigan Stadium? Mentioned by WWE

Submitted by Wolverine Devotee on

I'm sure all of you on here are familiar with WrestleMania and how it is the Super Bowl of the WWE. The Pontiac Silverdome hosted it in '87 and set the national indoor attendance record at 93,173.

It returned to the state 20 years later at Ford Field and holds the Ford Field attendance record at 80,103. The event is a global attraction and brings in people from all over the world.

Anyways, on the WWE's official site, they put up and article about 10 venues that should host WrestleMania. And #5 on the list is none other than Michigan Stadium. Here is what is says-

 

One of the most revered stadiums in all of college football, the home of the University of Michigan Wolverines certainly lives up to its moniker, “The Big House.” With an official capacity of 109,901, Michigan Stadium is the largest outdoor stadium in the United States and third-largest in the world, making it an ideal host for WrestleMania and the WWE Universe.

In addition to being the home to the university’s storied football program, the massive complex hosts the institute’s commencement ceremonies, and has housed outdoor hockey games. “The Big House” also holds an NCAA attendance record of 114,804 during the September 2011 battle between Michigan and Notre Dame. Expanding the capacity onto the field area to surround the ring on The Grandest Stage of Them All would undoubtedly shatter that record, and create an unrivaled atmosphere of electricity. Not to mention, “WrestleMania in The Big House” is a great slogan.

The thing that makes me want to mention this is that WWE doesn't exactly throw names around for no reason. They only have their events at large stadiums and have just announced WrestleMania next year to be at the Superdome. 

I think this is a serious concern and it has a better chance of happening than most people think. Michigan's athletic department would make a fortune on this if they were to loan WWE The Big House for one night.

The Winter Classic and the Polar Plunge benefiting the Special Olympics are two events that point to future events being held at the stadium. The current WrestleMania attendance record was set at the Silverdome. No doubt, Michigan would SHATTER that record. Not only would the athletic department benefit largely from hosting it but the Ann Arbor community as well. 

I don't think sightlines are a concern because there have been many stadium WrestleManias. Silverdome in (1987), Reliant Stadium (2001, 2009), SkyDome (2002), Safeco Field (2003), Ford Field (2007), Citrus Bowl (2008), University of Phoenix Stadium (2010), Georgia Dome (2011), Sun Life Stadium (2012) and Met Life Stadium this year in April. 

I really have no opinion on this. I'm more in shock than anything. Just wanted to leave this here and get some thoughts on it. 

 

Michigan Arrogance

February 18th, 2013 at 8:50 PM ^

My 1st though is that it fits sparty or ohio a bit more than UM, b/c I grew out of WWF when I was 12.

 

But then, they could get 125,000 in there and it would be a pretty cool event. weather would be an issue tho.

MGoBender

February 18th, 2013 at 9:40 PM ^

Eh, yeah, but I don't know.

I wouldn't call the "Ohio" thing immature at all. At the same time, I personally am tired of it. I think it used to be funny at times, but at the same time there is an Ohio that is not Ohio State.

More importantly, OSU fans mock us calling them Ohio. There is a certain MSU inferiority complex there I think.  That's just my view - I know it's not a popular one here, but hopefully I've articulated why I don't like it.

Darth Wolverine

February 19th, 2013 at 9:36 AM ^

Clearly you don't visit message boards or blogs that are not pro-Michigan because "scUM" is pretty much buckeye fans' favorite thing to call Michigan. Try the ESPN forums; you will see nothing but "scUM" from buckeye assholes. It doesn't offend me, but they use it a lot.

Look, each fan base has nick names for the other school; that's just the way it is.

pOSU, scUM, TTUN/TSUN, Ohio, Walverine (although that is mainly used by Sparty fans because they're the ones with the inferoiority complex)

Blue-Chip

February 18th, 2013 at 8:51 PM ^

I have doubts they would be able to fill it with expanded seating on the field. The last thing they want is something short of a sell out. I don't particularyly see this happening. Bonus rumor dousing: Wrestlemania is held in March if memory serves. You want to roll the dice on an outdoor event in Michigan in March? I would not recommend it.

backtoblu

February 19th, 2013 at 10:03 AM ^

They have no problem selling out NFL venues and creating a resale market with tickets scalped for $100+.  The event is huge and they would have no problem filling in the field with people. 

 

Wrestlemania is a days, possibly week long event now too leading up to the event.  They have fan events for days beforehand.  Just like the Superbowl.  People travel from all over the world for it.  I'm sure selling it out would not be a problem.

Silly Goose

February 18th, 2013 at 8:52 PM ^

As someone who lives close to the stadium this is terrifying. While it would bring in a ton of money for the school and town, I frankly don't want 100,000+ drunk WWE fans roaming around where I live.

dlcase1708

February 18th, 2013 at 9:43 PM ^

As a counterpoint, there are usually 100,000 drunk fans on Saturday mornings in the fall... Granted, there is a difference between the average Michigan football fan and the average WWE fan, but I don't think that they would be any worse than Sparty or Ohio fans coming to town. I've been to a WWE event before, and it wasn't anything like you'd expect. It was more little kids than anything else (Side note: I took my 10 year old cousin to a couple of events last year).

Darth Wolverine

February 19th, 2013 at 9:46 AM ^

Some of you people are acting like WWE fans are complete trash and red neck people. That isn't so. Just because you don't like the company doesn't mean you have to stereotype by saying blanket statements like that. WWE is one of the most successful companies in the world for a reason. They're obviously doing something correct. Monday Night Raw is the longest running show in the history of television.

Wolverine Devotee

February 18th, 2013 at 9:50 PM ^

What he said. It's not like it used to be in the late 90s where you had people being crucified (literally, that happened), set on fire, have crap dumped on them, people bleeding all over the place and nudity.

It's a PG product now and is geared towards kids like it was in the 80s and early 90s.

Plus they're big partners with the Make a Wish foundation and do the anti bullying campaign (which is ironic being it's WRESTLING). 

 

Darth Wolverine

February 19th, 2013 at 9:50 AM ^

I'm so sick of people complaining that "it's all about money." Yes, obviously it is. That is the way the world works. Do you know why Dave Brandon agreed to have the NHL WInter Classic in the Big House? Because he is going to get a nice fat check from the NHL. Stop bitching about money. Money is good for the athletic department and in particular, the football program. Ohio State has one of the richest (if not the richest) athletic departments in all of the NCAA. I want Michigan to be like that. Money drives everything. This is how the world has been for centuries, ever since the idea of money came to be.

MaizeMN

February 18th, 2013 at 9:51 PM ^

I still think it sad that one of their events at Ford Field holds an attendance record over the Lions. I doubt they could top the 114K+ from the UTL though.

EDIT: Awright! Whoeva flamebaited this; I challenge you to a cage match while wearing throwback singlets. Unless it's Herm, because his would be authentic and he would likely eat the turnbuckle stuffing in classic George "The Animal" Steele fashion.

Alton

February 18th, 2013 at 10:28 PM ^

I can assure you that the world record for attendance at an "entertainment" event is much higher than 100,000.  It is probably higher than 500,000.  Michigan Stadium will not hold the world record for attendance at an "entertainment" event.

Alton

February 19th, 2013 at 10:45 AM ^

Is there such a record?  I know that Guinness lists the largest crowd for a wrestling "entertainment event" as 190,000 in Pyongyang, North Korea, in a "Confined Facility" (the stadium, not the country).

Michigan Stadium will not break the Guinness record for attendance at a wrestling event.

gopoohgo

February 18th, 2013 at 10:34 PM ^

Catering to the lowest common demoninator is mutually exclusive to "The Leaders and Best".

Yes, it sounds like I'm in the "sit down, your blocking my view while I doff my ascott whilst tippling on my sherry" demographic, but holy jeebus, if Dave Brandon can't understand the difference between the Wings v. the Leafs, versus a steroid-filled soap opera for the 16-25 year-old demographic befouling one of the Holy Grails of college football...

Michigan_Mike

February 19th, 2013 at 12:38 AM ^

Seriously, your arrogance is astounding. Just because you do not care for something doesn't mean you should act as if anyone who approves of it is a lower form of life.



I think this is a wonderful idea. Just think of the amount of money that would be brought in to Ann Arbor from all over the world. Think what you will of the WWE, but having Wrestlemania in a city brings in to an area. In many ways the event has an effect similar to the Super Bowl. This year's event is expected to bring in over $100 million to the New York area. You can't laugh off that kind of money.

Darth Wolverine

February 19th, 2013 at 9:55 AM ^

You really think WWE isn't about being athletic. Get the fuck out of here. You look like a fool with that post. These guys (yes, some use steroids...whatever, I don't care. WWE wants  big dudes, that's how it's been for decades) are EXTREMELY athletic...well most of them.

Schembo

February 18th, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^

I don't think it could be possible to host that type of event that early in the year, and I doubt it would sell out with alot of the big names that are dropping off the WWE roster due to retirement recently.

Darth Wolverine

February 19th, 2013 at 9:58 AM ^

There are plenty of big names in WWE right now. You just don't know them because you don't watch. Yes, the big names from the 90s and early aughts are retiring, but one great thing about WWE is they know how to develop talent. There are plenty of young guys who are great at what they do. CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler are two prime examples.

Ham

February 18th, 2013 at 9:00 PM ^

Iran is mentioned as a possible location on the very next slide, making me doubt the sincerity of the whole slideshow. 

Also, they mention Notre Dame Stadium as a possible host. I actually like that idea. Where better to host a fake event than at a stadium that is built on myths?