Author: Don Muret

WrestleMania: Big Time

WrestleMania: Big Time

Posted by | Apr 3, 2019 | ,

WrestleMania 34 drew 78,133 fans to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome last year. (Courtesy SMG) At 35, the annual extravaganza is a stadium-worthy spectacle and more, WWE’s version of the Super Bowl On March 31, 1985, Madison Square Garden played host to the first WrestleMania, drawing a sellout crowd of 19,121. More than a million viewers watched it on closed circuit at arenas and theaters, producing what at the time was one of the industry’s highest-grossing pay-per-view events.   Muhammad Ali served as guest referee for the headline match, a tag-team bout pitting Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against Paul Orndorff and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. (Hogan/Mr. T won with an assist from Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka). Pop singer Cyndi Lauper, immersed in the wrestling culture through her music videos with grizzled grappler Captain Lou Albano, was among the ring competitors. Liberace added sparkle in his appearance with Radio City’s Rockettes. It was just… Continue Reading WrestleMania: Big Time

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‘In a Whole Other World’

‘In a Whole Other World’

Posted by | Apr 3, 2019 | ,

Allianz Field’s roof canopy filled with LED lights is the stadium’s signature feature. (Courtesy Minnesota United FC) Minnesota United FC’s Allianz Field has a signature roof canopy and more Allianz Field officially opens in mid-April, but the newest Major League Soccer stadium made its presence felt in December when the LED roofline turned red and green to celebrate the winter holidays. The festive beacon caught the attention of thousands of motorists on Minnesota’s busiest highway and gained the venue exposure across social media. The roof canopy’s ability to change colors for events is the signature feature at the $250 million facility, which sits off Interstate 94 in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, the halfway point between the downtowns of St. Paul and Minneapolis. On April 13, when Minnesota United FC plays its first home match in MLS, the roofline will turn a cool blue.  Populous designed the stadium, but Dr. Bill… Continue Reading ‘In a Whole Other World’

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Opening Number: WrestleMania

Posted by | Apr 3, 2019 | ,

WrestleMania this month celebrates 35 years as an event at MetLife Stadium. World Wrestling Entertainment’s extravaganza has posted some impressive numbers over the years in evolving from arenas to a stadium event; here are some tied to attendance, ticket prices and gross ticket sales.  19,121 Sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden for the first WrestleMania in 1985. 2005 Staples Center becomes the final NBA/NHL arena to host WrestleMania, drawing a crowd of 20,192. 2006 Allstate Arena is the last arena to host WrestleMania, attracting 17,159 in attendance. 101,763 Record attendance for WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium and the fifth-highest crowd for an event at the Dallas Cowboys’ facility.  $17.3 million Gross ticket revenue for WrestleMania 32, highest in event history. $6,507 Ticketmaster primary site listing for a platinum ringside seat to attend WrestleMania 35 at MetLife Stadium. $7,475.05 Total cost for that dynamically priced seat in the third row, which… Continue Reading Opening Number: WrestleMania

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WrestleMania Back in Market Where It Started

WrestleMania Back in Market Where It Started

Posted by | Apr 2, 2019 | , ,

Celebrity timekeeper Liberace and some of Radio City’s Rockettes at WrestleMania 1. And, yes, there’s a story behind that. (Getty Images)  WWE mega-event began at Madison Square Garden in 1985 World Wrestling Entertainment’s WrestleMania celebrates 35 years this week, culminating with Sunday’s main event at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The massive production returns to the market where it all began at Madison Square Garden in 1985. Bobby Goldwater, now a consultant with The Goldwater Group, ran the Garden at the time WrestleMania 1 took place, and he played a key role in planning the inaugural event. The arena was the appropriate setting, considering MSG as an organization had a rich history with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon’s family, dating to Roderick “Jess” McMahon, Vince’s grandfather who promoted boxing at the old Madison Square Garden early in the 20th century with the legendary Tex Rickard, who owned the arena at the… Continue Reading WrestleMania Back in Market Where It Started

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New Stones Dates Should Be Confirmed in Next Few Weeks

New Stones Dates Should Be Confirmed in Next Few Weeks

Posted by | Apr 2, 2019 | , ,

News broke over the weekend that Mick Jagger’s health would not allow the Rolling Stones’ tour of the U.S. and Canada to start as planned this month. (Getty Images) Scheduling could be tricky for stadium shows during football season Rescheduled dates for the Rolling Stones’ 2019 North American tour should be confirmed over the next few weeks, said Jeff Apregan, a consultant for the Gridiron Stadium Network. The group had six NFL member facilities on the original route. “It was never a conversation about cancellation, it was always a conversation about postponement,” Apregan said. “The concern of course is weather as you get later in the year.” The 17-show tour, originally set for April 20 through June 29, was postponed because of a medical condition concerning lead singer Mick Jagger, the band announced over the weekend. Some media outlets have reported Jagger will have heart valve surgery this week. Tour… Continue Reading New Stones Dates Should Be Confirmed in Next Few Weeks

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