WWE's WrestleMania continues to bulk up, providing a dayslong extravaganza for fans
As wrestling fans prepare to descend upon Las Vegas for WWE's WrestleMania 41, demand has steadily grown so much over the years that it's now bulked up into a dayslong event.
While WrestleMania matches will be held on April 19 and 20, a flurry of activities will take place in the days before and after, including meet and greets with wrestlers, a WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, matches for weekly television shows including 'Smackdown,' 'Raw,' and 'NXT' and a Roast of WrestleMania hosted by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe.
The build-out of activities is similar to what the NFL does for the Super Bowl, which hosts meet and greets with current and former football players, flag football clinics, food experiences and other events.
WrestleMania has come a long way since its start in March 1985. Back then it was a one-night event that focused primarily on the wrestling matches, with celebrities like Mr. T, Liberace and Muhammad Ali sprinkled in.
By 2016 there were more than 100,000 fans in attendance for WrestleMania 32 in Arlington, Texas. The annual event was expanded in 2020 to two days of wrestling matches with WrestleMania 36.
WrestleMania 41 is being held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the same location where the Super Bowl was held last year. Similarly, WrestleMania 42 will be held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in 2026. That's where this year's Super Bowl was held.
Jason Cieslak, global president of global brand consultancy Siegel+Gale, said that WWE has managed to find a way to continue to have WrestleMania successfully pay dividends for the company over time.
'There is a considerable benefit to treating WrestleMania like the Super Bowl or the World Cup,' he said. 'WWE has been masterful at looping in celebrities for participation and leveraging social channels to build excitement for the event.'
WrestleMania's expansion to several days worth of activities and events is a benefit to the brand.
'From a brand perspective, it makes what once was a narrow social event into something more mainstream and entertaining,' Cieslak said. 'This is a major accomplishment when you consider the brand's origins.'
Sports entertainment company WWE , which is part of TKO Group Holdings , has previously said that WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble have a combined economic impact of more than $300 million.
Live events are a significant component of TKO's business. The New York company, which also owns UFC , hosted more than 300 live events worldwide last year.
Jefferies' Randal Konik said in a recent client note that he anticipates the momentum that TKO's live events have to continue throughout this year.
'We believe TKO will continue to have multiple levers to drive live event expansion from increased ticket pricing to greater implementation of site fees,' he wrote.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NFL Fans React to Breaking Nick Chubb News
NFL Fans React to Breaking Nick Chubb News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In the early part of his career, Nick Chubb established himself as one of the most powerful, consistent running backs in the NFL. After rushing for 6,341 yards while scoring 48 rushing touchdowns through his first five seasons of his career, injuries proceeded to take over. Advertisement Chubb, now 29 years old, has missed 24 total games in his past two seasons due to multiple injuries. Since 2023, Chubb has missed time due to a torn ACL, MCL, and a broken foot. The once dominant Cleveland Browns RB, has reportedly found a new home for the impending NFL season. According to multiple sources, Chubb, pending a physical, will sign with the Houston Texans ahead of the 2025-26 NFL season. Chubb will join Joe Mixon in the backfield, adding to an already talented roster that consists of Nico Collins, Christian Kirk, and Dalton Schultz. The instant the news broke of Chubb's potential new deal, NFL fans rushed to social media to post their reactions. Advertisement "Bro is still dangerous," @SleeperHQ posted on X. Another user on X, is more concerned on the impact this has on Chubb's former team, "Browns are fully cooked." @BetMGM posted a throwback to a dominant touchdown run by Chubb back in 2019. Another user on X appears to think this is a major upgrade to the Texans backfield, giving them a strong one-two punch, "Chubb and Mixon is a nasty duo. Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb© Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The deal is pending a physical that will reportedly take place on Monday. Chubb's 2024-25 NFL season ended after just eight games due to a broken left foot. If all goes well with Chubb's physical and rehabilitation, Chubb could make his Texans debut early on in the 2025-26 NFL season. Advertisement Related: Cleveland Browns Make Official Decision on Star Running Back Nick Chubb This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
31 minutes ago
- USA Today
After Eagles' FA defections, do Cowboys or Giants have NFC East's best DL?
After Eagles' FA defections, do Cowboys or Giants have NFC East's best DL? NFC East teams feature defensive line units that would all rank among the best in the entire NFL. While the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders have invested heavily in their offensive lines and receiving rooms, the defensive lines have been the mainstays of the division for a long time. Eli Manning is a Hall of Fame candidate thanks to the Giants' DL being catalysts for two Super Bowl runs. They've recently drafted two defensive ends in the top five, traded for a starting edge rusher, and paid the best one-technique in the NFL, who was also a first-round pick. The Eagles' pass rush, led by a defensive line that had three first-round picks, tormented Patrick Mahomes in route to a Super Bowl blowout. Washington has seen former top picks Chase Young and Jonathan Allen depart, but still have Daron Payne and continue to invest in the line in free agency and the draft. Dallas just paid Osa Odighizuwa, signed Dante Fowler Jr., drafted a defensive end in the second round three of the past four seasons, and Micah Parsons was a first-round selection. 4. Washington Commanders Dorance Armstrong followed Dan Quinn over from Dallas to become a starting defensive end for the Commanders. He played 60% of the snaps, 600-plus for the first time in his career, and became a solid starter. He achieved his highest totals in QB knockdowns, pressures, and tackles, but his lowest sack total since 2020, and his missed tackle percentage increased by over 10%. His run defense needs to improve. Pro Football Focus graded him at 46.4 against the run compared to a 76.4 pass rush grade and a 68.9 overall grade. Armstrong isn't a star, but he is a positive starter for Washington. The other defensive end spot needs to be upgraded. Clelin Ferrell is a solid edge setter, but doesn't offer much of a pass rusher. Deatrich Wise is a veteran rotational defensive end who is a decent backup. He has averaged 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and five tackles for a loss a season. Jacob Martin is another option, but he hasn't been as productive as Ferrell or Wise. The strength of the team has long been the defensive tackle position, featuring Jonathan Allen and Payne. However, Allen signed elsewhere as a free agent, and Payne had a down year in his first season in Quinn's system. Quinn's defenses have difficulty stopping the run, and this issue persisted last year. Washington was the third worst in rush yards allowed and yards per carry. Payne might be in decline due to age and attrition. Allen is going to be replaced by free agent signing Javon Kinlaw and 2024 second-round pick Jer'Zhan Newton. ] Eddie Goldman is the backup for Payne. 3. Philadelphia Eagles The Eagles suffered several losses to their defensive line this offseason, which is why they fell to third in the division. Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Brandon Graham, and Bryce Huff are a lot of production to replace. Nolan Smith Jr. had a breakout season in his sophomore campaign with 6.5 sacks, eight tackles for a loss, and 15 pressures. The former first-round pick will step in as a starter and is expected to be a quality player. He is a light edge rusher, but had a run defense grade of 77.6 and a missed tackle percentage of only 2.3%. Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche have been successful pass rushers, but Uche hasn't been the same since his breakout season in 2022, and Ojulari just hasn't been able to stay healthy. Jalen Carter is a game-changer as a pass rusher and could develop into the next Aaron Donald. He isn't as impactful as a run defender; PFF graded him under 60 against the run. His playmaking ability will raise the play of everyone around him. Jordan Davis has one job: to take on double teams and open up holes for linebackers and one-on-one blocks for Carter. Moro Ojomo is going to try to fill the shoes of Williams. 2. Dallas Cowboys Parsons is everything a team wants in a star pass rusher. He has posted generational numbers that place him in the ranks of Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White, with no less than 12 sacks, 23 QB hits, 41 pressures, 12 tackles for a loss in any season. Osa Odighizuwa is the other lineman with game-changing abilities on the defensive line. His plays behind the line of scrimmage might seem light, with only five tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks, but his 23 QB hits and 33 pressures indicate the type of impact he has in the backfield. The key to Odighizuwa taking the next step could be an improved rotation around him. He played over 850 snaps, accounting for 78% of the defensive snaps on the season. Dante Fowler Jr was a double-digit sack guy for the Commanders and could have another season with 10 or more sacks with Parsons and Odighizuwa taking all the double-team blocks. The young edge rushers rotating with them are all full of potential. If one or more of their second-round picks, Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeiruaku, or Sam Williams, can be productive defensive ends, their edge unit could be elite. Solomon Thomas was brought in by the new defensive line coach, Aaron Whitecotton, who had previously coached Thomas with the New York Jets. Thomas hasn't lived up to his draft status, but he is a high-character, high-motor player who is in the best shape of his life. Thomas doesn't have to start, but if he can provide productive snaps to allow Odighizuwa to get a rest. Mazi Smith and Jay Toia will be the one-technique tackles next to Odighizuwa and Thomas, and could be the key to how special this defensive line could be. 1. New York Giants Abdul Carter is a ready-made edge rusher who will have an immediate impact from his first snap. He had a 92.4 pass-rush grade and a true pass set pass rush grade of 93, with a pass rush win-rate over 22%. He will start on a team that includes Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns as defensive ends. Burns was acquired via trade last offseason and quietly had another good year. He started every game and had his highest tackle and tackles for a loss total. He added 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, eight batted passes, and 34 pressures. The starting duo of Burns and Carter could be one of the best duos in the NFL. Thibodeaux hasn't developed as the Giants had hoped when they drafted him with the fifth overall pick. FA pickup Chauncey Golston had more sacks and tackles for a loss in 2024 than in his first three seasons combined. The Giants could've found an up-and-coming defensive end to rotate in, and that could make them the best edge group in the league. The reason New York is first in these rankings is Dexter Lawrence. He is possibly the best defensive player in the NFL, but he plays one of the least appreciated positions in football, one-technique. His PFF grades are all over 80, and his overall grade is 89.9. In 12 games, he had nine sacks and eight tackles for a loss at a position that is about stopping the run. Lawrence has zero weaknesses, impacting the game with pressures, stopping the run, and his missed tackle percentage was only 4.3%. The team has little besides him at defensive tackle, but they drafted Darius Alexander to be the future DT next to Lawrence. You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Where Shedeur Sanders Stands in Browns' QB Depth Chart Today
Where Shedeur Sanders Stands in Browns' QB Depth Chart Today originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Shedeur Sanders may be the fourth quarterback on the Cleveland Browns' depth chart, but he remains one of the most talked-about players in the building. As the Browns continue offseason workouts, the rookie quarterback is quickly learning that the NFL is a different world, especially when you're trying to climb from the bottom of a crowded quarterback room. Advertisement During Wednesday's OTA session, Sanders didn't take any first-team reps, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. That's not unexpected. Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett currently headline the depth chart, while third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was drafted two rounds before Sanders and appears to be ahead of him for now. Despite the limited opportunities, Sanders made the most of his reps. Per ESPN Cleveland, he completed 9 of 14 passes in seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills, throwing three touchdowns and one interception. The Browns even shared a highlight of one of those scores, a sharp throw to receiver Kaden Davis that drew praise from reporters on site. Joe Reedy of the Associated Press called it 'the best throw of the day.' For most fifth-round quarterbacks, stat-tracking at OTAs would be rare. But Sanders isn't most quarterbacks. Thanks to his college pedigree, high-profile family, and the unexpected drop in the draft, every move he makes will be heavily watched. He's one of the most scrutinized fourth-string quarterbacks in recent memory. Still, his status on the roster comes with real challenges. Sanders is fighting for attention and reps, which are hard to come by when the team has three quarterbacks ahead of you. Without significant snaps in training camp or preseason games, it's difficult to make a case for meaningful regular-season action. Advertisement Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees praised Sanders' preparation and grasp of the offense but also acknowledged that he's still a rookie learning the ropes.'He's really put in a lot of work, as all those guys are,' Rees told the Associated Press. 'You can tell on the mental side, learning the system, calling it, getting into rhythm, he's put a lot of time and effort into that. When you do that, the game slows down and you can focus on completions. He's done a nice job of that as camp's progressed.' Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, throwing at minicamp.© Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Sanders' interception on Wednesday came off a tipped ball into traffic, another sign of the growing pains that come with transitioning to the NFL. His arm strength, vision, and mobility give him long-term upside, but he'll need to show consistency to move up the depth chart. For now, the focus is on development. Sanders isn't expected to start this season, and the Browns aren't rushing his timeline. But that doesn't mean he won't be closely watched. With his talent, work ethic, and media profile, Sanders remains a compelling figure in Cleveland's offseason narrative, even as a fourth-string quarterback. Advertisement If he continues to progress, it's only a matter of time before he forces his way into the conversation. Related: Deion Sanders Made Transfer Earn Number—and it Paid Off Related: Colorado's Rick George Reacts to House Settlement Approval This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
