Post by @Chair.Shot on Apr 4, 2013 21:50:12 GMT -5
There are few things in life that I love as much as professional wrestling. So it goes without saying that I LOVE Wrestlemania. It is like a second Christmas. No matter how the card plays out, every wrestling fan knows that they are going to see something memorable that we will all be talking about for years to come. The wrestlers and announcers that create this magic are not alone. One of the biggest stars in wrestling over the last three decades is not actually a person: it is the Wrestlemania Stage.
Various teams work countless hours throughout the year in preparation for our favorite annual event. Slowly the stage where wrestlers make their entrances has become just as important as any part of the show (and in some cases more). However, it wasn't always that way. Please join me in taking a look back at the evolution of the Wrestlemania atmosphere:
Wrestlemania (I)
The event that started it all! The original Wrestlemania took place in 1985 at Madison Square Garden. Long before the elaborate stages with a dozen screens, hundreds of thousands of LED's, and hydraulic lifts for the ramp, there was a simple black curtain hung near an exit that separated the two worlds.
Wrestlemania 2 (II)
The second annual "granddaddy of them all" isn't critically acclaimed by many wrestling fans. It has some great imagery for narratives and video highlight packages, but outside of that it isn't a brilliant show. What makes this event so memorable though was a first and a last: matches were held and broadcast live from three different locations. Unfortunately, the entrance areas in each of the three arenas were rather forgettable.
Uniondale, New York
Rosemont, Illinois
Los Angeles, California
Wrestlemania III
Anyone who is a wrestling fan knows the historical significance of this event. Most people couldn't point out Pontiac, Michigan on a map but they can tell you everything else about the event: Hogan/Andre. Steamboat/Savage. 93,000 fans (debatable). Ring Carts. But few can tell you about the entryway...because there isn't much to tell. There was a rather simple banner with the WWF logo that faced up towards the crowd and that was it.
Wrestlemania IV
I would mark this Wrestlemania as the first time anyone at Titan Towers put an effort into making the entrance look more interesting. What sticks out in most fans minds is the large lit up block logo sign which was used for many WWF shows, the massive Wrestlemania IV banner, and the stairs that lead to the isle - both of which were covered in this hideous yellow/orange carpeting.
Wrestlemania V
Unfortunately, that smooth talking Donald Trump convinced Vince and Linda to do a second WM at his hotel/casino. Although the MegaPowers did explode, the entry way did not. It was identical to the one the year before. I cannot vouch for the validity of this, but I have heard stories that the WWF was cheap enough to cosmetically alter the banner from the previous Wrestlemania by covering up the "I" in "IV." I have not been able to check into this story yet but I will say that I found it difficult to find any good shots of the "Wrestlemania V" banner above the entry way.
Wrestlemania VI
Yet another historical event for older wrestling fans that would impact the industry forever. The stage? Not so much. More black curtains and our lit up friend (the sign, not the Hulkster).
Wrestlemania VII
Wrestling was on the downturn, the Gulf War was a dud, and the WWF had to embarrassingly change venues due to low ticket sales (does anyone buy the security threat story?). This event would mark not only the "retirement" of Macho Man Randy Savage, but the retirement of the WWF light up logo at Wrestlemania. But hey, it went out with a patriotic bang as it (and the rest of the arena) was surrounded by old-timey US flags. 'Murica.
Wrestlemania VIII
Yes my friends - the neon era has arrived! This setup/similar setups were used for other WWF programming but how could that fancy, flashy, cutting-edge neon ever be topped?
Wrestlemania IX
This is how. Anyone who has ever seen Wrestlemania IX either loves it or hates it. However, there are very few who have EVER said a bad word about how incredible the entire setup was. If you haven't seen it, check out "The True Story of Wrestlemania" and watch the well-documented story of how this elaborate setup came to be. The attention to detail is nothing short of incredible and the amount of effort put into it is worthy of applause. The entrance area was better than any year prior but rather simple by today's standards. Wrestlemania IX would remain the most impressive display for years to come.
Wrestlemania X
Anyone familiar with Madison Square Garden knows that the "World's Most Famous Arena" is fairly limited when it comes to stage setups due to the size and design of the arena's interior. When the WWF returned to host the historic 10th Wrestlemania, the set designers put together an entryway with controllable doors that formed an "X" when closed.
Wrestlemania XI
The setup for Wrestlemania XI was split into three parts: A hexagonal entry way, a video screen where the isle curved, and a stage for musical performances...I'll spare you the musical stage.
Wrestlemania XII
The card for this show was focused almost entirely around Shawn and Bret and their Irion Man match. It appears as though they put more effort into Shawn's elaborate entrance than they did with the crummy old set they used from the previous year. There isn't anything wrong with the set to be honest and for the time it did just fine.
Wrestlemania 13 (XIII)
Really guys? Again? To be fair, business wasn't exactly the best it had been. To their credit, the logo at the top was bigger and graphically more impressive.
Wrestlemania XIV
The WWF had begun its shift into what would come to be known as the "Attitude Era" when Wrestlemania XIV took place. Wrestlers made their entrances through circular trusses with various lighting effects surrounding them as a simple Wrestlemania sign hung above them. This stage was more reminiscent of a rock concert which was rather fitting given the climate of the business.
Wrestlemania XV
Personally, I can't say I absolutely love this entry way, but a certainly do not hate it. I like how BIG they make Wrestlemania feel. The lighting throughout the night for each superstar was a nice touch and I think they were kind of on to something this time with the overall look.
Wrestlemania "2000" (XVI)
For whatever reason, the WWF decided to cash in on the new millennium and dub this "Wrestlemania 2000." What fools they will look like in just a few thousand years! Unfortunately for those reading this, there aren't many good shots of the entire Wrestlemania XVI stage. This is too bad considering it was a pretty impressive setup and was far more exciting visually than anything else they had done for Wrestlemania up to this point. The set featured long screens on either side of the isle and a large screen in the center with additional lighting to connect the three visual aids.
Wrestlemania "X-SEVEN" (XVII)
Perhaps Vince and/or his marketing department were going through a long midlife crisis when naming these events. Whatever the case, you can appreciate the clean layout of this stage (even though it is pretty reminiscent of the regular Titan Tron).
Wrestlemania "X8" (XVIII)
The entryway for this particular event suffers from a similar fate as the card for Wrestlemania IX: People generally love it or hate it. Nobody disputes the matches booked for this show were pretty unbelievable - epic even. But the stage is generally a hot debate between fans. Some say it is the greatest stage Wrestlemania has ever seen, others say it looks like an unfinished mess of scaffolding or a monstrosity of metal. Regardless of how you feel, I think everyone can appreciate the enormity of this stage and enjoy the very first, truly massive setup Wrestlemania had ever seen.
Wrestlemania XIX
I'm always surprised at how much love and attention Wrestlemania XIX receives. Sure it had its low points (Limp Bizkit, Nathan Jones, Limp Bizkit, Miller Catfight, Limp Bizkit, etc) but I think many fans use the look and atmosphere of Wrestlemania XIX as the new standard of what a big event should feel like. Having attended this show in person, I will say that the stage seemed much, much smaller live. I was almost disappointed in fact...but the show more than made up for it and watching the event on DVD changed my initial opinion. The stage itself had a pretty good width to it and featured about a dozen screens. There was an additional set piece in the form of a large banner off to the left side near a separate stage used for the "musical" performances (plural) of Limp Bizkit. The isle way was long and curved at an odd angle but was a small touch that a lot of people seem to remember.
Wrestlemania XX
Due to the choice of venue, I think most of us forgave the WWE for going back to a smaller arena. Given the history and nostalgia of MSG, it felt like a given. I'm not sure any of us were prepared for how awesome the stage turned out. It felt like the WWE had really turned a corner at this point in terms of quality and technology. Obviously, they could have gone with a much more inexpensive set and blamed the lack of spectacle on size constrictions or even try to play the "tradition" card. Instead they put their best foot forward for their "home" crowd and came up with a fun backdrop with the screens made to look like buildings and the unforgettable screen-floor (or is it floor-screen?).
Wrestlemania 21 (XXI)
A lot of people had fun in preparation for Wrestlemania 21 when "Wrestlemania went Hollywood." The downside to this event was that it was another arena show and not a big stadium which has an effect on the atmosphere. The set didn't suffer any as it was a nice cross between a big Hollywood premier, a red carpet affair, and a fun night at the cinemas.
Wrestlemania 22 (XXII)
Thankfully, Wrestlemania had that "big time" feel again. The backdrop consisted of several fairly large screens that sat on top of the stage with a single large screen raised above the others. What was most impressive was the ramp being raised for the entrance of JBL's limo. The massive banners of each wrestler was also a very welcomed touch that really added to the look of this Wrestlemania.
Wrestlemania 23 (XXIII)
The stage for WM23 is very, very busy to say the least. It is actually a bit reminiscent of the HD stages we see today in the WWE on a weekly/monthly basis. It was certainly colorful and unlike any other stage Wrestlemania had seen.
Wrestlemania XXIV
If you have a bad word to say about this set then you are in the minority. Wrestlemania 24 will go down as one of the greatest shows of all time with one of the greatest stages of all time. It is quite possible that Wrestlemania 29 might be the first real challenger when it comes to dethroning what many feel to be the "king" of Wrestlemania sets. The WWE transformed the entire stadium and gave it a very unique atmosphere. The stage was comprised of many video screens and panels and a beautifully designed marquee. The rest of the stage was decorated with palm trees and various lighting configurations which looked more and more brilliant as the sky grew dark. Speaking of sky, what makes the entire stage so stunning is the lack of background behind it. There is something so beautiful about the open air that exists beyond the stage that is "the grandest stage of them all!"
Wrestlemania 25 (XXV)
A lot of people just weren't fans of the star motif that WWE was using for the 25th Wrestlemania. Others were let down by this stage because it didn't seem as epic as some of the years prior and I think many were expecting WWE to outdo themselves for what was supposed to be a very monumental event. Overall the stage setup is quite appealing to look at and still felt epic.
Wrestlemania XXVI
Personally, I find this to be a difficult stage to judge. I want to like it more but it has almost too much going on. In the spirit of not saying anything if you have nothing nice to say, I will leave it up to everyone to decide for themselves:
Wrestlemania XXVII
Maybe I am a sucked for glossy things, but the look and feel of Wrestlemania XXVII was everything I could ask for in terms of an epic atmosphere. The card didn't quite deliver in my opinion, but the stage is something I will always remember about Wrestlemania 27. The spider-like lighting rig isn't the most beautiful thing to look at but it becomes spectacular when lit up. The gloss of the stage is unique and impressive. The long ramp that actually spells out the Wrestlemania logo is something I wish they would do every year to be honest. However, the curved "Wrestlemania" marquee above the stage is what really makes this entrance way glorious. It is big, it is in your face, and it unapologetically lets you know that this event means something special!
Wrestlemania XXVIII
This is the second Wrestlemania that I have personally attended and therefore have a somewhat biased opinion. I fully admit that it is not my all-time favorite Wrestlemania stage of all time. It actually feels like it took ideas or bits and pieces from years prior. I still believe it was beautiful and it was incredibly amazing to have seen in person and again on DVD. The width of the stage was a bit of a surprise but not uncharted territory. The lettering up top looked wonderful when illuminated but was rather plain in terms of design. The palm trees...well, they'd been done. Overall though, the stadium came alive as day turned to night and I think the stage reached its full glory for Taker/HHH and Rock/Cena. Punk's entrance also gets an honorable mention as well for the pyro alone.
I hope you have enjoyed looking at and reading this as much as I have putting it together. Happy Wrestlemania Weekend!
Various teams work countless hours throughout the year in preparation for our favorite annual event. Slowly the stage where wrestlers make their entrances has become just as important as any part of the show (and in some cases more). However, it wasn't always that way. Please join me in taking a look back at the evolution of the Wrestlemania atmosphere:
Wrestlemania (I)
The event that started it all! The original Wrestlemania took place in 1985 at Madison Square Garden. Long before the elaborate stages with a dozen screens, hundreds of thousands of LED's, and hydraulic lifts for the ramp, there was a simple black curtain hung near an exit that separated the two worlds.
Wrestlemania 2 (II)
The second annual "granddaddy of them all" isn't critically acclaimed by many wrestling fans. It has some great imagery for narratives and video highlight packages, but outside of that it isn't a brilliant show. What makes this event so memorable though was a first and a last: matches were held and broadcast live from three different locations. Unfortunately, the entrance areas in each of the three arenas were rather forgettable.
Uniondale, New York
Rosemont, Illinois
Los Angeles, California
Wrestlemania III
Anyone who is a wrestling fan knows the historical significance of this event. Most people couldn't point out Pontiac, Michigan on a map but they can tell you everything else about the event: Hogan/Andre. Steamboat/Savage. 93,000 fans (debatable). Ring Carts. But few can tell you about the entryway...because there isn't much to tell. There was a rather simple banner with the WWF logo that faced up towards the crowd and that was it.
Wrestlemania IV
I would mark this Wrestlemania as the first time anyone at Titan Towers put an effort into making the entrance look more interesting. What sticks out in most fans minds is the large lit up block logo sign which was used for many WWF shows, the massive Wrestlemania IV banner, and the stairs that lead to the isle - both of which were covered in this hideous yellow/orange carpeting.
Wrestlemania V
Unfortunately, that smooth talking Donald Trump convinced Vince and Linda to do a second WM at his hotel/casino. Although the MegaPowers did explode, the entry way did not. It was identical to the one the year before. I cannot vouch for the validity of this, but I have heard stories that the WWF was cheap enough to cosmetically alter the banner from the previous Wrestlemania by covering up the "I" in "IV." I have not been able to check into this story yet but I will say that I found it difficult to find any good shots of the "Wrestlemania V" banner above the entry way.
Wrestlemania VI
Yet another historical event for older wrestling fans that would impact the industry forever. The stage? Not so much. More black curtains and our lit up friend (the sign, not the Hulkster).
Wrestlemania VII
Wrestling was on the downturn, the Gulf War was a dud, and the WWF had to embarrassingly change venues due to low ticket sales (does anyone buy the security threat story?). This event would mark not only the "retirement" of Macho Man Randy Savage, but the retirement of the WWF light up logo at Wrestlemania. But hey, it went out with a patriotic bang as it (and the rest of the arena) was surrounded by old-timey US flags. 'Murica.
Wrestlemania VIII
Yes my friends - the neon era has arrived! This setup/similar setups were used for other WWF programming but how could that fancy, flashy, cutting-edge neon ever be topped?
Wrestlemania IX
This is how. Anyone who has ever seen Wrestlemania IX either loves it or hates it. However, there are very few who have EVER said a bad word about how incredible the entire setup was. If you haven't seen it, check out "The True Story of Wrestlemania" and watch the well-documented story of how this elaborate setup came to be. The attention to detail is nothing short of incredible and the amount of effort put into it is worthy of applause. The entrance area was better than any year prior but rather simple by today's standards. Wrestlemania IX would remain the most impressive display for years to come.
Wrestlemania X
Anyone familiar with Madison Square Garden knows that the "World's Most Famous Arena" is fairly limited when it comes to stage setups due to the size and design of the arena's interior. When the WWF returned to host the historic 10th Wrestlemania, the set designers put together an entryway with controllable doors that formed an "X" when closed.
Wrestlemania XI
The setup for Wrestlemania XI was split into three parts: A hexagonal entry way, a video screen where the isle curved, and a stage for musical performances...I'll spare you the musical stage.
Wrestlemania XII
The card for this show was focused almost entirely around Shawn and Bret and their Irion Man match. It appears as though they put more effort into Shawn's elaborate entrance than they did with the crummy old set they used from the previous year. There isn't anything wrong with the set to be honest and for the time it did just fine.
Wrestlemania 13 (XIII)
Really guys? Again? To be fair, business wasn't exactly the best it had been. To their credit, the logo at the top was bigger and graphically more impressive.
Wrestlemania XIV
The WWF had begun its shift into what would come to be known as the "Attitude Era" when Wrestlemania XIV took place. Wrestlers made their entrances through circular trusses with various lighting effects surrounding them as a simple Wrestlemania sign hung above them. This stage was more reminiscent of a rock concert which was rather fitting given the climate of the business.
Wrestlemania XV
Personally, I can't say I absolutely love this entry way, but a certainly do not hate it. I like how BIG they make Wrestlemania feel. The lighting throughout the night for each superstar was a nice touch and I think they were kind of on to something this time with the overall look.
Wrestlemania "2000" (XVI)
For whatever reason, the WWF decided to cash in on the new millennium and dub this "Wrestlemania 2000." What fools they will look like in just a few thousand years! Unfortunately for those reading this, there aren't many good shots of the entire Wrestlemania XVI stage. This is too bad considering it was a pretty impressive setup and was far more exciting visually than anything else they had done for Wrestlemania up to this point. The set featured long screens on either side of the isle and a large screen in the center with additional lighting to connect the three visual aids.
Wrestlemania "X-SEVEN" (XVII)
Perhaps Vince and/or his marketing department were going through a long midlife crisis when naming these events. Whatever the case, you can appreciate the clean layout of this stage (even though it is pretty reminiscent of the regular Titan Tron).
Wrestlemania "X8" (XVIII)
The entryway for this particular event suffers from a similar fate as the card for Wrestlemania IX: People generally love it or hate it. Nobody disputes the matches booked for this show were pretty unbelievable - epic even. But the stage is generally a hot debate between fans. Some say it is the greatest stage Wrestlemania has ever seen, others say it looks like an unfinished mess of scaffolding or a monstrosity of metal. Regardless of how you feel, I think everyone can appreciate the enormity of this stage and enjoy the very first, truly massive setup Wrestlemania had ever seen.
Wrestlemania XIX
I'm always surprised at how much love and attention Wrestlemania XIX receives. Sure it had its low points (Limp Bizkit, Nathan Jones, Limp Bizkit, Miller Catfight, Limp Bizkit, etc) but I think many fans use the look and atmosphere of Wrestlemania XIX as the new standard of what a big event should feel like. Having attended this show in person, I will say that the stage seemed much, much smaller live. I was almost disappointed in fact...but the show more than made up for it and watching the event on DVD changed my initial opinion. The stage itself had a pretty good width to it and featured about a dozen screens. There was an additional set piece in the form of a large banner off to the left side near a separate stage used for the "musical" performances (plural) of Limp Bizkit. The isle way was long and curved at an odd angle but was a small touch that a lot of people seem to remember.
Wrestlemania XX
Due to the choice of venue, I think most of us forgave the WWE for going back to a smaller arena. Given the history and nostalgia of MSG, it felt like a given. I'm not sure any of us were prepared for how awesome the stage turned out. It felt like the WWE had really turned a corner at this point in terms of quality and technology. Obviously, they could have gone with a much more inexpensive set and blamed the lack of spectacle on size constrictions or even try to play the "tradition" card. Instead they put their best foot forward for their "home" crowd and came up with a fun backdrop with the screens made to look like buildings and the unforgettable screen-floor (or is it floor-screen?).
Wrestlemania 21 (XXI)
A lot of people had fun in preparation for Wrestlemania 21 when "Wrestlemania went Hollywood." The downside to this event was that it was another arena show and not a big stadium which has an effect on the atmosphere. The set didn't suffer any as it was a nice cross between a big Hollywood premier, a red carpet affair, and a fun night at the cinemas.
Wrestlemania 22 (XXII)
Thankfully, Wrestlemania had that "big time" feel again. The backdrop consisted of several fairly large screens that sat on top of the stage with a single large screen raised above the others. What was most impressive was the ramp being raised for the entrance of JBL's limo. The massive banners of each wrestler was also a very welcomed touch that really added to the look of this Wrestlemania.
Wrestlemania 23 (XXIII)
The stage for WM23 is very, very busy to say the least. It is actually a bit reminiscent of the HD stages we see today in the WWE on a weekly/monthly basis. It was certainly colorful and unlike any other stage Wrestlemania had seen.
Wrestlemania XXIV
If you have a bad word to say about this set then you are in the minority. Wrestlemania 24 will go down as one of the greatest shows of all time with one of the greatest stages of all time. It is quite possible that Wrestlemania 29 might be the first real challenger when it comes to dethroning what many feel to be the "king" of Wrestlemania sets. The WWE transformed the entire stadium and gave it a very unique atmosphere. The stage was comprised of many video screens and panels and a beautifully designed marquee. The rest of the stage was decorated with palm trees and various lighting configurations which looked more and more brilliant as the sky grew dark. Speaking of sky, what makes the entire stage so stunning is the lack of background behind it. There is something so beautiful about the open air that exists beyond the stage that is "the grandest stage of them all!"
Wrestlemania 25 (XXV)
A lot of people just weren't fans of the star motif that WWE was using for the 25th Wrestlemania. Others were let down by this stage because it didn't seem as epic as some of the years prior and I think many were expecting WWE to outdo themselves for what was supposed to be a very monumental event. Overall the stage setup is quite appealing to look at and still felt epic.
Wrestlemania XXVI
Personally, I find this to be a difficult stage to judge. I want to like it more but it has almost too much going on. In the spirit of not saying anything if you have nothing nice to say, I will leave it up to everyone to decide for themselves:
Wrestlemania XXVII
Maybe I am a sucked for glossy things, but the look and feel of Wrestlemania XXVII was everything I could ask for in terms of an epic atmosphere. The card didn't quite deliver in my opinion, but the stage is something I will always remember about Wrestlemania 27. The spider-like lighting rig isn't the most beautiful thing to look at but it becomes spectacular when lit up. The gloss of the stage is unique and impressive. The long ramp that actually spells out the Wrestlemania logo is something I wish they would do every year to be honest. However, the curved "Wrestlemania" marquee above the stage is what really makes this entrance way glorious. It is big, it is in your face, and it unapologetically lets you know that this event means something special!
Wrestlemania XXVIII
This is the second Wrestlemania that I have personally attended and therefore have a somewhat biased opinion. I fully admit that it is not my all-time favorite Wrestlemania stage of all time. It actually feels like it took ideas or bits and pieces from years prior. I still believe it was beautiful and it was incredibly amazing to have seen in person and again on DVD. The width of the stage was a bit of a surprise but not uncharted territory. The lettering up top looked wonderful when illuminated but was rather plain in terms of design. The palm trees...well, they'd been done. Overall though, the stadium came alive as day turned to night and I think the stage reached its full glory for Taker/HHH and Rock/Cena. Punk's entrance also gets an honorable mention as well for the pyro alone.
I hope you have enjoyed looking at and reading this as much as I have putting it together. Happy Wrestlemania Weekend!
ing tremendous. Can't wait to see what 29 brings us.
