Future WrestleMania at Michigan Stadium? Mentioned by WWE
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.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:24 PM ^
I think they're just hoping to recruit a new Iron Sheik while in Iran.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:40 PM ^
May I suggest the lovely city of Pyongyang as well? This stadium might be up their alley.
February 19th, 2013 at 12:41 AM ^
Actually there was already a professional wrestling event held there. It was in 1995 and was run by WCW and New Japan Pro Wrestling. The event supposedly drew over 340,000 people over two days. How much of that number is true and how much is North Korean propaganda is difficult to tell though.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:24 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 9:04 PM ^
February 19th, 2013 at 9:39 AM ^
...a mention of the Steiners.
Frankly, I'm appalled at all the snobbishness here at Mgoblog given that two of our fellow alumni (the Steiner brothers) were amongst the best wrestlers.
I may be an ascot wearing, boat sailing snob myself but I would think that any self-respecting Michigan fan would have great respect for the Steiners, their sport, and especially the manner in which they would work a Columbus crowd into a frenzy.
I think it was from a Monday Night Raw event in Columbus where they enter the arena, grabbed the mic and then taunted, "When we were in school up at Michigan, we loved coming down to Columbus because beating the Buckeyes in football was just like their women...EASY!"
February 18th, 2013 at 9:07 PM ^
a massive stadium and has been enjoyed by many, but I don't believe that means it is for anytlhing and everyone. Nothing against the WWE, but Yost, Bo and even marketing master Don Canham would frown on this. Just my opinion.
February 19th, 2013 at 10:01 AM ^
BUT THEY'RE DEAD. I'm so sick of M fans living in the past. We need to move on.
February 18th, 2013 at 10:09 PM ^
That should get you out of Bolivia. Gold, Jerry!
Bring back the posbang.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:09 PM ^
IF YOU EAT YOUR VITAMINS, SAY YOUR PRAYERS, YOU CAN TEE-OFF ON YOUR FRIENDS FUTURE EX-WIFE ON VIDEO!
February 18th, 2013 at 9:11 PM ^
I'm sure hosting it would pour a shit ton of much welcomed money into the city as well as a hefty cut to the university, both of which are never a bad thing.
That being said, in my middle school years, I watched wrestling religiously, until I was old enough to comprehend it's inaneness. Thus, I'm quite aware of the type of "clientele" the WWE attracts. So, selfishly, as someone who considers the Big House hallowed ground and loves the "non WWE-ness" of the city of Ann Arbor...
February 18th, 2013 at 9:10 PM ^
It would be interesting and I'd be for it. The ring would look very small from the last couple rows, though.
February 19th, 2013 at 10:03 AM ^
...that never stops people from coming to Wrestlemania. It sells out every single year no matter where it is being held.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:13 PM ^
It WILL be wrestling every Saturday in the not too distant future.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:13 PM ^
February 19th, 2013 at 8:40 AM ^
Did you object to the "Rumble at the Big House" game between Michigan Tech and GVSU a few years ago? Do you object to us hosting Slippery Rock for a football game?
I agree that Michigan Stadium should be above some spectacles like the WWE, but it's not like we haven't hosted non-Michigan sporting events there in the past that were fun and in the spirit of the place.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:19 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 9:22 PM ^
stage name the 'steiner' brothers but in real life our buddies robbie and scottie rechsteiner, true Michigan wrestlers and guys i bounced with at charlie's back in the day. if we're going to go completely trash, let's at least have our alumns participate.
February 18th, 2013 at 10:35 PM ^
beat me to it. The steiner brothers alone would be worth wrestlemanie XXXVIII?
February 18th, 2013 at 9:28 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
February 19th, 2013 at 8:42 AM ^
He's probably stroked out, lying on the floor in a puddle of his own drool right now....
February 18th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 9:34 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 9:36 PM ^
I'm burning my diploma.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:46 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 9:50 PM ^
February 19th, 2013 at 10:06 AM ^
The matches mixed with the drama scenes are great. Now I don't watch all of the storylines. The wrestlers I like are the ones I follow and I skip the rest of the show.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:50 PM ^
Sure, wrestling sucks, but if Brandon can make a shiny nickel for the Dept and subsequently reduce the ticket pri.... huh? They will pocket the cash and still raise ticket prices?
I'm out.
February 18th, 2013 at 9:54 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 9:58 PM ^
I think this would be absolutely hilarious....
February 18th, 2013 at 10:02 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 10:06 PM ^
This makes about as much sense as wine and cheese tasting at the Ohio State Fair.
February 18th, 2013 at 10:48 PM ^
February 18th, 2013 at 11:12 PM ^
Every time I've gone to the ohio state fair I've worn a michigan shirt to piss people off. I've never had anyone say anything. I've been surprised.
February 19th, 2013 at 10:08 AM ^
That's what happens when they kick our ass in football so often, so it's a bad thing that you don't get hate for wearing M gear.
February 18th, 2013 at 10:07 PM ^
The Big House and The City of Ann Arbor do not have the infrastructure to pull an event like this off. Sure, we fit 111,000 people in the big house every Saturday in the Fall, but a very large portion of these are students and locals who walk to games. I would expect a miniscule porportion of Ann Arbor to attend. As far as I know, there simply isn't enough hotel space + parking to have an event this big (assuming it would be ~125000).
Also, cliche aside, The University of Michigan and WWE mix together as well as water and oil.
February 18th, 2013 at 10:54 PM ^
Give them the dorms. Meanwhile, the students clear off to Florida for the weekend, bringing with them all their prize possessions. Classes cancelled Monday. Everyone parties. Whattaya think?
February 18th, 2013 at 10:08 PM ^
/cool story bro!
February 18th, 2013 at 10:11 PM ^
Pretty sure an meteor impact would be preferable
February 18th, 2013 at 10:11 PM ^
I don't know all about Wrestlemania, and really don't want to anytime soon.
February 18th, 2013 at 10:15 PM ^
Lots of hate in this thread. The prevailing theme seems to be that it's beneath us to allow these dirty immature WWE fans into our totally pure and clean Ann Arbor and loan to them our crown jewel, the Big House, which has NEVER seen a rowdy crowd or a drunk person. Ever.
I get where it's coming from, kinda, but really, we have a kickass stadium - the biggest in the US - and it only gets used a single-digit number of times per year, and not at all for the majority of the year. I really don't see it being as big a problem as others seem to.
February 18th, 2013 at 10:51 PM ^
There's a difference between the drunk loud crowd at Michigan stadium for football games and WWE fans. It might be a stereotype, but for the most part it's true.
February 18th, 2013 at 11:07 PM ^
February 19th, 2013 at 10:15 AM ^
That's not even close to being true. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean you can stereotype. I guarantee there are some things you like that others consider are for tools like yourself.