WWE WrestleMania 38: WrestleMania Weekend like from the inside?
For any wrestling fan, WrestleMania is like a religion. Going to the city that hosts “The Showcase of the Immortals” is like making a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Fátima, Lourdes or Mecca.
It is like arriving in a sacred city, blessed by the seven goddesses of art.
To have the opportunity to step on that ground, to be surrounded by hundreds of fans just like you, from all over the world with such a wonderful hobby in common, is like a religious experience.
Like each and every one of us here, one of my dreams was always to go to WrestleMania.
That is the reason why when Sebastián Martínez, webmaster of SoloWrestling, proposed it to me, I could not say no.
“I’ve told you because I know you’re up for a bombing,” were his words when, without thinking about it for a second, I said yes.
As I hung up the phone and my head began to take in everything that had happened, I wondered if perhaps I had been too hasty. Here came the reality check:
I was not traveling to a country of the European Union, where as member citizens we do not need a passport or permits.
I wasn’t traveling to Germany, France, Italy or the UK, practically “next door” to home, I was crossing the pond. And I was traveling alone.
We had the honor of being the only media outlet that WWE paid for absolutely everything, including a direct flight to.
From Dallas, a stay at one of the most central and impressive hotels in the city, and press accreditations for all the events of the Weekend.
However, WWE only covered the expenses of the main journalist (me) and not the companion.
So I embarked on the complicated task of looking for a friend who was willing to come to Dallas, paying for his entire trip.
Many of you will say “it’s an easy task, who would say no?”. The fact is that WWE proposed the trip to us less than a month in advance.
I contacted my colleague Iván, whom I had met years ago in a supermarket because he was wearing a Tetsuya Naito t-shirt.
In a way I felt calmer, since Iván is a globetrotter and had been to big events around the world, including Wrestle Kingdom 12.
At the time I promised him that, given the opportunity, we would go to WrestleMania together accredited as press. And so was the beginning of our trip to Dallas.
Joel, the director of press relations for WWE, gave us the reservations for the flights, the hotel, the itineraries and the tickets to the shows in advance.
After several weeks of organization and document management, the day arrived.
Before I knew it, I was already on American soil and going through the interview with the immigration agent.
The agent was pleased to learn that he was a fan of wrestling and that he was coming from Spain to see WrestleMania.
We talked for several minutes about Texan wrestlers, and he told me that his father used to take him to see the Von Erichs when he was little.
Our first stop was the WrestleCon Super Show. Arriving at the Fairmont Hotel, location of the event and the convention,
We found dozens of fighters who, like a few more fans, walked through the reception preparing for the long weekend.
Of course it is rare to see those fighters that you admire so much, such as Jon Moxley, Adam Cole, Britt Baker or Keith Lee, a foot away being “human beings”.
It is a very humanizing experience, and that is, after all, the beauty of the WrestleMania weekend: everyone, absolutely everyone, is a fan. Including our idols.
What if. Keith Lee is huge. It’s scary. When he arrived at the reception and spoke for the first time, he shook the ground. It is not a joke.
The WrestleCon Super Show is always one of the must-attend shows on the WrestleMania weekend.
As it brings together the best independent talent of the moment, a variety of styles and great in-ring quality, as well as surprises.
We were able to see legends like Bret Hart or Jushin “Thunder” Liger in person, as well as great fights like Mike Bailey vs. Bandido, a trios that faced Laredo Kid, Rey Horus.
Michael Oku vs. Josh Alexander, Ace Austin and Black Taurus, or a Minoru Suzuki vs. Biff Busick.
Seeing live Tomohiro Ishii, Atsushi Onita, PCO, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express or Jimmy Wang Yang.
Who received one of the standing ovations of the night – was priceless. He also had no price to live a “Low Ki moment”.
Also, at this event I discovered that comedy wrestling (John Morrison vs. Taya Valkyrie) is a hundred times more enjoyable live than on screen.
The next morning we headed to the hotel where the WWE superstars were staying, a five-minute walk from the media hotel.
The company put at our disposal a free breakfast buffet and dozens of talents to be interviewed in individual talks.
Everyone was fantastic, especially Rhea Ripley, Jimmy Hart, Los Lotharios and Corey Graves, who stood out for their closeness, kindness and good vibes.
A close and fun atmosphere was breathed, and the WWE team was always taking care that we did not lack anything at any time.
They put a lot of emphasis on it: “if you need anything, please tell us and we will get it for you”.
After the interviews, around noon, we were offered the famous “Smackadillas”, WWE’s version of the typical Mexican dish.
And drinks. We were already prepared for SmackDown and the Hall of Fame.
Access to the American Airlines Center was very fast, despite being a full house.
We arrived well in advance, bought some pizzas and drinks to watch the show, and took a few photos pointing at the WrestleMania sign.
WWE placed us in the press next to the stage and a good distance from the ring.
And as they say in average sized venues “there is not a bad seat in the house”. It is impressive to see how meticulous WWE is with its television product.
An hour and a half before the start of the show, they were already testing all the cameras, adjusting the intensity of the spotlights.
They loading the pyrotechnics or the smoke tanks and checking the slightest flaw in the ring or ringside. And so they were until seconds before the show began.
If you’re wondering why the WWE audience seems to be dead compared to AEW, I think I have the answer:
During commercial breaks (as long as there is no fight in progress) they turn off the lights of the venue and broadcast promotional videos in the giant screens.
WWE WrestleMania 38 Latest News:
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In a way, this kills the spectator’s adrenaline in the stands and makes it difficult for them to get involved again once the lights come back on.
The SmackDown show was pretty disappointing for a pre-WrestleMania show, but the night would end on a high note with a historic Hall of Fame. In a matter of 15 minutes.
WWE changed the entire ring, the scenery and introduced dozens of fighters and family members to witness the ceremony.
As an anecdote, Riddle spent the time before the ceremony joking and hugging those present, causing laughter from all of us who were witnessing the scene.
One of my dreams was always to see The Undertaker wrestle at WrestleMania. That dream hasn’t come true.
But I think I’ve lived an even more special one, his induction into the hall of fame.
Mark Callaway brought the entire room to their feet, clapping for five minutes before beginning his speech.
And when he began his speech, it was when I understood how he became the most iconic fighter of all time:
Because of the power of his word. No one, absolutely no one, opened their mouths while The Undertaker recited his speech. Not for nothing.
But because we were all stunned by the power of his words, and you could have heard the sound of a pin falling against the floor of the American Airlines Center.
With 12,000 present in its stands. That magnetism and that emotion could only be achieved by The Undertaker.
The next day we had NXT Stand & Deliver, also from American Airlines. People had high expectations.
Because it was the multicolor brand’s first show outside the Performance Center in more than two years.
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Apart from a couple of matches and the occasional moment, such as Tommaso Ciampa being fired by Triple H, it was a pretty average show considering the high expectations.
The public, quite indifferent to the lesser-known fighters, did not help the show put the fifth gear.
What did not happen indifferently was the first night of WrestleMania. Excitement was in the air.
As we arrived at the massive AT&T Stadium, and to liven up the wait for the gates to open, many were barbecuing under the blazing Texas sun.
The queues were absurdly long, so luckily we were able to go through the press access, where we were given the badge that gave us full access.
Once inside, we took an elevator that took us to the press room, with privileged views of the stadium and television screens with live video and audio feed.
We also had food and drink catering (where more than one well-known North American journalist got fed up), bathrooms and rooms with photocopiers and printers.
Also, at each of our booths, we had a commemorative WrestleMania 38 program and a tote bag of merchandise.
And once again, the WWE team was always willing to make things easy for you with a smile. What did you need a charger? They provided you with one.
That you wanted to go down to the ringside area? They explained to you how to get to the lower levels. In addition, they were the first to enjoy the event along with the journalists.
That feeling of belonging, of closeness, is something that I will always thank WWE for. The company has a lot of room for improvement and more than critical skills.
But in the relationship with the press you can see that you are dealing with one of the most professional companies in the world.
The first night of WrestleMania was more focused on “pro-wrestling” than the second, represented by “sports entertainment”.
The meeting between Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch was the highlight of the evening and received a standing ovation from both the press and the public.
Cody Rhodes’ upset and his match against Seth Rollins was also one of the highlights of the night, as was Kevin Owens vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
One of the few low points was the starting confrontation between Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey.
Where both did not show much chemistry and more than one journalist ended up asleep. It is not a joke.
Regardless, ending the night with Austin celebrating in the corners drinking beer and handing out Stunners left and right was a complete success.
As fans left the venue with huge smiles on their faces, chanting “WHAT” and calling “GIVE ME TO HELL YEAH”.
Before concluding our trip with night two, we decided to stop by the Axxess Superstore morning session. If you are a WWE fan.
The Axxess will be one of your favorite visits due to the different activities and superstars that you can meet at the convention.
From spray tattoos with the logo of your favorite fighter, to spaces to play WWE 2K22.
Passing through an exhibition with some of the most iconic items and outfits in the history of WrestleMania.
You will also find tons of merchandise such as t-shirts, figurines or relics in the form of memorabilia that only those touched by King Midas will be able to afford.
As I mentioned, night two was more focused on entertainment. Even so, it was quality entertainment.
They far removed from the simple and lazy formulas that the company is used to producing.
The perfect example was Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville, one of the most entertaining comedy matches we’ve seen recently in WWE.
And it is that if the company wants to be the standard bearer of entertainment, this was a great example of how to do things right.
Without the need for zombies or fighters that are thrown from rooftops.
Another of the great surprises of the night was the Austin Theory vs. Pat McAfee.
McAfee, something we already saw on the previous SmackDown, is one of the company’s most over-the-top talents, and that was noticeable during the match.
And it is that in addition to being over, he is a more than entertaining fighter! And for entertainment the later segment, where Mr.
McMahon returned to fight? for the first time since WrestleMania XXVI and he won with a ball.
And then, of course, he received one of the worst/best Stunners in living memory in the history of the business.
And the reactions of the public, the press room and Austin himself showed that, after all.
That is what WrestleMania is all about: a show for the whole family where entertainment, laughter and emotions prevail over.
The fight itself professional free. And that’s something you don’t understand until you’re there, in person.
In short, going to WrestleMania weekend is an experience that you have to live at least once in your life.
Meeting fans from around the world, immersing yourself in a different culture and humanizing.
All those idols that have marked you for years is something very special.
Discover new independent fighters, see how the great machinery of WWE works from within.
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Its great perfectionism for the television product. And once you go, you won’t want to miss the next one.
