Could Philly Host WrestleMania?

The WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.) is scouting locations for its flagship event, WrestleMania. And Philadelphia’s mayor, Jim Kenney, is eager to put the City of Brotherly Love in the ring, so to speak. Yesterday Kenney gave an exclusive interview with Techbook Online, expressing his desire to bring the brawling spectacle of professional wrestling’s biggest night to the city. And the WWE has taken notice of that wish.

Mayor Kenney is courting the WWE in the hopes of bringing WrestleMania to Philadelphia.
Photo credit: CC David Seto

“They know we’re very interested,” City Representative Sheila Hess confirmed, echoing the words of Philadelphia’s chief executive.

From the Good Men Project: “And in case they weren’t, Mayor Kenney – who at a Tuesday afternoon press conference rattled off the names of old and even older wrestlers in an attempt to highlight his once fanaticism for the business – from the lectern said: “I’d love to host WrestleMania soon… I’d love to host WrestleMania.””

He caught the ear of WWE Superstar Mark Henry, a former World Heavyweight Champion, who is in town for the WWE pay-per-view event the Royal Rumble. Henry jokingly promised that he’d “put a word in” with the WWE brass on behalf of Philadelphia.

Philly already has a good releationship with the wrestling league. Philadelphia is full of wrestling fans, and the city has been an accomodating host for several WWE events at the Spectrum, the infamous ECW Arena and the Wells Fargo Center, where later this month four days of WWE events, including the Royal Rumble, will be filmed.

The word on the street is that Philadelphia is considered a finalist to host WrestleMania 35, with New York City and Detroit as the other possible two candidates. Of course, having the biggest pro wrestling event in the world in Philadelphia would have a tremendous economic impact, bringing in visitors from all over the country. There is also the matter of exposure, which any WrestleMania city would receive in spades. Philly is riding a media high right now, with its home football team headed to the Super Bowl, meaning that it is poised for the national lens.