Philly Cheesesteaks and Body Slams: A History of WrestleMania in the City of Brotherly Love
Ah, Philadelphia. City of cheesesteaks, Rocky Balboa, and apparently, a city with an insatiable appetite for flying elbows and folding chairs. But for wrestling fans, Philly holds a special place in their hearts – it's been graced by the granddaddy of them all, WrestleMania, not once, but twice!
That's right, folks, Philadelphia has been home to WrestleMania on two occasions. Think you're a die-hard wrestling fan? Let's test your knowledge of these epic events.
How Many Wrestlemanias In Philadelphia |
The First Time Philly Went Wild: WrestleMania XV (1999)
The year was 1999. The world was obsessed with Y2K fears and frosted tips. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the First Union Center (now known as the Wells Fargo Center) was about to witness a legendary throwdown. Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock collided in a No Disqualification match for the WWE Championship that's still talked about today. Chairs were broken, beers were chugged, and the crowd went wilder than a cheesesteak after a night out on South Street.
QuickTip: The more attention, the more retention.
WrestleMania XV is often considered one of the greatest WrestleManias of all time, and Philly's electric atmosphere played a huge role in that.
WrestleMania Returns to the City of Brotherly Love: WrestleMania XL (2024)
Fast forward to 2024, and WrestleMania returned to Philadelphia for the first time in 25 years! This time, it took place at the Lincoln Financial Field, proving that Philly's love for wrestling transcends eras. We saw a whole new generation of superstars like Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins battle it out, showing that the future of the WWE is bright. And let's not forget the return of some familiar faces – the echoes of "Stone Cold! Stone Cold!" were sure to send chills down the spines of longtime fans.
QuickTip: Don’t skim too fast — depth matters.
WrestleMania XL was another epic night for Philadelphia, solidifying its place as a city with a deep appreciation for the world of professional wrestling.
So How Many WrestleManias Has Philly Hosted?
The answer is a resounding two! Philly may not hold the record for most WrestleManias hosted, but it certainly knows how to throw a party when the granddaddy of them all rolls into town.
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
Thinking of Taking a Wrestle-cation to Philly?
While there aren't currently any upcoming WrestleManias scheduled for the City of Brotherly Love, there's always a chance the WWE will return in the future. In the meantime, you can still experience the magic by visiting the iconic locations from past WrestleManias, or catching some independent wrestling shows in the area.
WrestleMania in Philly: Frequently Asked Questions
How to relive the glory of WrestleMania XV?
Tip: Don’t skim — absorb.
- Search online for classic matches from the event. There are tons of clips and highlights available on YouTube and the WWE Network.
How to find out if WrestleMania is coming back to Philadelphia?
- Keep an eye on the WWE website and social media for announcements about future WrestleMania locations.
How to experience the world of wrestling in Philadelphia?
- Check out local independent wrestling promotions for some high-flying, hard-hitting action.
How to perfect your Stone Cold Steve Austin entrance?
- Practice your middle finger salute and invest in a good fake beer. (But please drink responsibly!)
How to convince your friends that Philly is the ultimate wrestling city?
- Simply show them this article (and maybe bribe them with a cheesesteak).