Many times I have mentioned how the venue can add to or take away from the overall opinion of an event. WrestleMania III is known for the highly anticipated main event between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. Its remembered for Hogan slamming Andre. Its remembered for the classic IC match between Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat. Its equally remembered for bringing in 93,173 to the Pontiac Silverdome. WrestleMania III was great, but would it be as fondly remembered if it was in say The Meadowlands Arena? I dont think so. In fact WrestleMania may not be as big as it is today if not for the Silverdome crowd. For as good as WM3 was the first thing I think about when it is mentioned is the venue.
Over the next few years the WWF went to the big venues a handful of times before returning to them regularly for mania in 2001. Seven of the last ten manias have been held at large venues. Many people on this forum think WM17 was the greatest mania of all. Theres no doubt it was a great show, but I wonder if the fact that mania returned to the big venue for the first time in nine years had anything to do with it. I think WM17 would be fondly remembered if it was at a regular arena, but I think the Astrodome really helped the overall impression of this show.
I have three questions for you. Do you think the venue makes a difference in a show? What events that were in normal arenas would have been better suited for the big venue? Which was your favorite venue?
There are two events that come to mind that would have been more appropriate in a big venue. They are WM7 and WM14. WM7 was supposed to be in the LA Coliseum in front of 100,000 people. Tickets werent selling well and it was moved to the normal sized LA Sports Arena. I think this is an underrated show and have always said it would be remembered as a top five or six mania if it were in the Coliseum. The place went crazy for the Savage/Elizabeth reunion. Imagine that in front of 100,000 under the California sun. WM14 just seemed fitting for a big venue. This was the event that made the WWF a contender to WCW again and they would be number one again shortly after this. With the hype surrounding Mike Tyson, the popularity of Austin, the build between Taker and Kane, and the overall buzz the WWF was creating, I could just picture this event in front of 70,000.
As far as my favorite venue I would say Safeco Field (WM19). I cant put my finger on it, but Safeco just looked very unique to me. I also liked Wembley Stadium for SummerSlam 92. The massive outdoor stadium looked awesome for wrestling. I should note that despite its normal size there is always a certain electricity in MSG.
So thats my take. Am I alone here or does anyone else ever take note of the venue for a big event?
Over the next few years the WWF went to the big venues a handful of times before returning to them regularly for mania in 2001. Seven of the last ten manias have been held at large venues. Many people on this forum think WM17 was the greatest mania of all. Theres no doubt it was a great show, but I wonder if the fact that mania returned to the big venue for the first time in nine years had anything to do with it. I think WM17 would be fondly remembered if it was at a regular arena, but I think the Astrodome really helped the overall impression of this show.
I have three questions for you. Do you think the venue makes a difference in a show? What events that were in normal arenas would have been better suited for the big venue? Which was your favorite venue?
There are two events that come to mind that would have been more appropriate in a big venue. They are WM7 and WM14. WM7 was supposed to be in the LA Coliseum in front of 100,000 people. Tickets werent selling well and it was moved to the normal sized LA Sports Arena. I think this is an underrated show and have always said it would be remembered as a top five or six mania if it were in the Coliseum. The place went crazy for the Savage/Elizabeth reunion. Imagine that in front of 100,000 under the California sun. WM14 just seemed fitting for a big venue. This was the event that made the WWF a contender to WCW again and they would be number one again shortly after this. With the hype surrounding Mike Tyson, the popularity of Austin, the build between Taker and Kane, and the overall buzz the WWF was creating, I could just picture this event in front of 70,000.
As far as my favorite venue I would say Safeco Field (WM19). I cant put my finger on it, but Safeco just looked very unique to me. I also liked Wembley Stadium for SummerSlam 92. The massive outdoor stadium looked awesome for wrestling. I should note that despite its normal size there is always a certain electricity in MSG.
So thats my take. Am I alone here or does anyone else ever take note of the venue for a big event?