World Wrestling Entertainment’s Vince McMahon promises that WrestleMania will level a “mind-blowing” show at University of Phoenix Stadium on March 28, 2010.
McMahon, wrestlers, dignitaries and Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt were in Glendale on Tuesday to announce that professional wrestling’s biggest event would make its first stop in Arizona. Like the NFL championship, WrestleMania should pack the football dome and overflow Glendale’s entertainment district four days ahead of the show. WWE is negotiating with Westgate City Center, next to the stadium, to host WrestleMania’s Rock the Block Party. And like the NFL Experience, WrestleMania Axxess should set up near the stadium with four days of fan activities. WWE officials said other celebrations could be scattered around the Valley, such as a charity auction of wrestlers’ art, a charity golf tournament and a WWE Hall of Fame induction. “Wherever there is fun, that’s where we’ll be,” said McMahon, the company’s chairman. McMahon has grown the franchise and WrestleMania, which attracted more than 80,000 fans to Detroit in 2007 and nearly 75,000 to Orlando in 2008. The Glendale stadium is expected to seat at least 65,000 for the event.
“WrestleMania has become part of the cultural fabric,” said wrestler Chris Jericho, soft-spoken and dressed in suit and tie in contrast to the colorful costumes and fists-in-the-air bravado associated with the WWE.