Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Supreme Court Lifts Order That Blocked Trump’s Mass Federal Layoffs

56 minutes ago

Trump to Attend Club World Cup Final, FIFA Opens Office in Trump Tower

1 hour ago

Trump Says Pharmaceutical Tariffs Could Reach 200%

1 hour ago

Rescue Teams Find Three More Bodies After Central Texas Floods

1 hour ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rigoberto Simental Aguilar

1 hour ago

Trump Says He Is Not Happy With Russia’s Putin, Considering Sanctions

2 hours ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to Be Sentenced on October 3

2 hours ago

Israeli Military Says It Struck Key Hamas Figure in Lebanon’s Tripoli

2 hours ago

Madera County Sheriff Logs 29 Fire-Related Calls on Fourth of July, Most in 5 Years

2 hours ago

Trump Says He May Take Over Governance of Washington, DC

2 hours ago
How WrestleMania Came to Rival the Super Bowl and World Cup
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 months ago on
April 15, 2025

WrestleMania week is here. More than ever, the annual entertainment spectacular is tightly interwoven into the fabric of pop culture. (GV Wire Composite)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

WrestleMania week is here, and the 41st annual spectacular is tightly interwoven in the pop culture fabric.

While WrestleMania has always been the spotlight of the WWE year, it was the third edition in 1987 that put the body slam on its wrestling industry rivals. Veteran writer and historian Keith Elliot Greenberg looks back at how the WWF — as it was known then — won the wrestling war in his new book “Bigger! Better! Badder! WrestleMania III and the Year it All Changed.”

At the Pontiac Silverdome, Hulk Hogan body-slammed Andre the Giant to victory in a legendary match that remains the most famous in pro wrestling history.

“The fact that they sold out an NFL stadium was something inconceivable to the public, including the wrestling public,” Greenberg said in a phone interview with Off the Bottom Rope.

While the stories of WWF’s ascension to pro wrestling dominance, the Hulk-Andre match, and the myths behind WrestleMania III have been explored by other historians and documentaries, Greenberg talks to several WWF executives who shared the story of not only the event, but the years of buildup. He also talked to heads of rival promotions.

Despite knowing Greenberg, who asked him to participate, former WWF/WWE chairman Vince McMahon declined to be interviewed for the book.

Not long after the success of WrestleMania III, several smaller regional wrestling promotions closed. The company that eventually became World Championship Wrestling survived, but only until  the WWF bought them out in 2001 — officially ending the wrestling war.

Wrestling historian Keith Elliot Greenberg examines the impact of WrestleMania III in a new book. (GV Wire Composite/David Rodriguez)

A Weeklong Spectacular Comparable to the Super Bowl

Greenberg has covered wrestling for more than 40 years for several publications, including the official WWF Magazine. He’s written several wrestling books and often appears as the historian on WWE documentaries.

“It is a true pilgrimage for wrestling fans who come from around the globe. None of that would exist without WrestleMania III. WrestleMania III sent a message that this was something on par with the Super Bowl and the World Cup.” — Keith Elliot Greenberg, pro wrestling author and historian

WrestleMania used to be just a one-day spectacular. Now, it is a weeklong celebration of all things wrestling, comparable to the Super Bowl. Cities bid and pay a site fee for the spectacular.

Fans will descend from around the world, stay at hotels, attend several official WWE events such as the Hall of Fame, the WWE World exhibit, and other wrestling cards. Even The Undertaker is holding a one-man act.

“It is a true pilgrimage for wrestling fans who come from around the globe. None of that would exist without WrestleMania III. WrestleMania III sent a message that this was something on par with the Super Bowl and the World Cup,” Greenberg said.

Greenberg said he’s attended most WrestleManias, covering for various publications. But, he can’t even receive a media credential this year, writing for UK-based Inside the Ropes. He said the WWE received more than a thousand media credentials.

“People who don’t even follow wrestling week-to-week want to be at WrestleMania because it is a destination to be. That is why there will be celebrities at WrestleMania. They want to be seen there,” Greenberg said.

The Attendance Myth

The WWF claimed that 93,173 fans jammed into the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987, shattering the world indoor attendance record. That number has been debated, analyzed and examined ever since. Greenberg dedicates a chapter into whether that number is accurate or WWF myth-making.

“It’s an eternal debate. I interviewed executives who are responsible for making sure those seats were filled. They adhere religiously to 93,173,” Greenberg said. “There are some question marks there.”

More likely, 78,000 paid to attend, but the mythical number also includes anybody in the building — wrestlers, ticket takers, and even those who snuck into the building.

“That’s a lot of people going to professional wrestling, when you consider that up until that point professional wrestling was considered low-brow entertainment,” Greenberg said.

The true number may never be known.

“It doesn’t really matter. The number itself is part of mythology, you could make a biblical analogy; Was every animal really on Noah’s Ark?” Greenberg said.

WrestleMania 41

WrestleMania 41 takes place Saturday and Sunday at Allegiant Stadium near Las Vegas, home of the Raiders. Similar to when Hulk Hogan took on the newly villainous Andre the Giant, this year’s main event features hero Cody Rhodes defending the Universal WWE championship against new bad guy John Cena on Sunday.

A triple threat match highlights Saturday’s card, with the most dominant wrestler in the last decade Roman Reigns facing CM Punk and Seth Rollins.

Ticket reseller StubHub lists $269 as the lowest price for a single ticket Sunday, in the third deck.

Among the other sanctioned WWE events for the week include the regular Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night Raw at the T-Mobile Arena; the Hall of Fame at the Fontainebleau; shows for NXT, the WWE’s development territory; The Undertaker’s show; and even a Sunday morning “The Roast of WrestleMania.”

Several other wrestling promotions use the week to hold dozens of events in and around Las Vegas. And, for those who can’t get a ticket to the stadium, several hotel/casinos are hosting watch parties.

Former NFL star Rob Gronkowski, who is known to dabble in the ring himself, is hosting a pool party, where tickets remain for $89.99.

Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski, wearing a wrestling championship belt, makes an appearance at Gronk Beach music festival during Super Bowl week, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Mark Peterman/Invision/AP File)

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

DON'T MISS

Netanyahu Meets Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas Discuss Ceasefire

DON'T MISS

Trump Executive Order Seeks End to Wind and Solar Energy Subsidies

DON'T MISS

US Threatens California With Legal Action Over Transgender Sports Law

DON'T MISS

US Veterans Affairs Will Cut Nearly 30,000 Jobs, Far Fewer Than Planned

DON'T MISS

Houston Astros Donate $1M to Help Recovery From Texas Floods

DON'T MISS

Tucker Carlson Aired Interview With President of Iran

DON'T MISS

California Fails to Stop 23andMe Founder From Re-Acquiring Company

DON'T MISS

Madera County Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Arrest of Felony Suspect in Atwater

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest DUI Driver During Crackdown on Illegal Street Racing and Sideshows

UP NEXT

Netanyahu Meets Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas Discuss Ceasefire

UP NEXT

Trump Executive Order Seeks End to Wind and Solar Energy Subsidies

UP NEXT

US Threatens California With Legal Action Over Transgender Sports Law

UP NEXT

US Veterans Affairs Will Cut Nearly 30,000 Jobs, Far Fewer Than Planned

UP NEXT

Houston Astros Donate $1M to Help Recovery From Texas Floods

UP NEXT

Tucker Carlson Aired Interview With President of Iran

UP NEXT

California Fails to Stop 23andMe Founder From Re-Acquiring Company

UP NEXT

Madera County Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Arrest of Felony Suspect in Atwater

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest DUI Driver During Crackdown on Illegal Street Racing and Sideshows

UP NEXT

July 4 Weekend Was No Picnic for Fresno-Area Firefighters. How Bad Did It Get?

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Rescue Teams Find Three More Bodies After Central Texas Floods

1 hour ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rigoberto Simental Aguilar

1 hour ago

Trump Says He Is Not Happy With Russia’s Putin, Considering Sanctions

2 hours ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to Be Sentenced on October 3

2 hours ago

Israeli Military Says It Struck Key Hamas Figure in Lebanon’s Tripoli

2 hours ago

Madera County Sheriff Logs 29 Fire-Related Calls on Fourth of July, Most in 5 Years

2 hours ago

Trump Says He May Take Over Governance of Washington, DC

2 hours ago

Judge Orders CVS’ Omnicare Unit to Pay $949 Million Over Invalid Prescriptions

3 hours ago

Trump Says He Will Impose 50% Tariff on Copper Imports on Tuesday

3 hours ago

Alleged Shooter in Caleb Quick Killing Back in Court After Defense Makes Sexual Assault Claim

3 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lifts Order That Blocked Trump’s Mass Federal Layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way on Tuesday for President Donald Trump’s administration to resume carrying ou...

56 minutes ago

A general view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2024. (Reuters File)
56 minutes ago

US Supreme Court Lifts Order That Blocked Trump’s Mass Federal Layoffs

President Donald Trump holds the key to the FIFA Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 7, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Trump to Attend Club World Cup Final, FIFA Opens Office in Trump Tower

Vials are seen in this undated handout photo. Pfizer/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
1 hour ago

Trump Says Pharmaceutical Tariffs Could Reach 200%

A drone view shows the Guadalupe River and damage from flooding near Camp Mystic, in Hunt, Texas, U.S. July 6, 2025. (Reuters/Evan Garcia)
1 hour ago

Rescue Teams Find Three More Bodies After Central Texas Floods

Rigoberto Simental Aguilar is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for July 8, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
1 hour ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rigoberto Simental Aguilar

FILE PHOTO: Donald Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin are seen during the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 30, 2018. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/File Photo
2 hours ago

Trump Says He Is Not Happy With Russia’s Putin, Considering Sanctions

Lawyer Teny Geragos speaks to the media next to lawyers Marc Agnifilo outside the U.S. federal court, following a bail hearing, after the jury reached verdicts in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., July 2, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to Be Sentenced on October 3

People gather near a damaged car after the Israeli military said in a statement that it struck a "key" figure from Palestinian militant group Hamas, in Ayrounieh, northern Lebanon July 8, 2025. (Reuters/Walid Saleh)
2 hours ago

Israeli Military Says It Struck Key Hamas Figure in Lebanon’s Tripoli

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend