WWE is pulling out all the stops to make WrestleMania 32 the biggest in its “show of shows” history.
Since 1985’s inaugural event, raising the bar has always been the mindset heading into the Super Bowl of sports entertainment. However, Vince McMahon and company are especially motivated this year by the potential to break an indoor attendance record at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“While I can’t give away any specifics, if you think Vince McMahon isn’t putting together the most loaded, spectacular, surprising card that we have ever had, then you have another thing coming,” says McMahon’s daughter Stephanie, WWE chief brand officer.
“Everything is bigger in Texas,” adds her husband, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE World Champion and executive vice president of talent, live events and creative. “If you know anything about Vince and WWE — and hopefully, you’re starting to learn it about me and Steph, as well — we are certainly not going to rest on our laurels. We are looking to break our own attendance record of 93,173. We want this to be the largest event we’ve ever done.”
The card began officially taking shape at February’s Fastlane when Roman Reigns defeated Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar to earn the right to face Triple H for the WWE World Championship. Reigns lost the gold at Royal Rumble when “The Game” won the 30-man, over-the-top-rope battle royal. Now the two will settle the score on the biggest platform possible.
Reigns’ cousin, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, will also take time out from filming blockbuster movies and hit TV shows to participate in the WrestleMania festivities. Other top names including are expected for surprise cameos to add star power.
Ambrose is also gearing up for one of the biggest bouts of his career, taking on Lesnar with Paul Heyman ringside. There will be a new level of physicality on display given the “Street Fight” stipulation for the “Lunatic Fringe” and the “Beast Incarnate.”
The road to WWE’s crown jewel also got a huge boost with February’s shocking return of Shane McMahon, who, as of presstime, is set to battle The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell matchup. The stakes are high for the prodigal son, who is aiming to wrestle control of Raw from his father with a victory.
A.J. Styles, who joined WWE in January, is preparing to make his WrestleMania debut. The “Phenomenal One” drew immediate buzz with his matches against Chris Jericho. The two add another chapter to their rivalry Sunday.
The WWE Universe is also anxious to see Kevin Owens compete on “the grandest stage of them all.” He defends the Intercontinental title in a multi-man ladder match. And in the midst of the “Divas Revolution,” Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and current champ Charlotte represent a new crop of female talent hungry for their WrestleMania moment. The tag division is also heating up with the veteran duo the Dudley Boyz, plus the Usos and champs The New Day. The entertaining trio square off against the League of Nations. David looks to take down Goliath when Kalisto puts the United States championship on the line against the imposing Ryback.
Find the updated card at WrestleMania.com
WrestleMania 32 premieres live on April 3.
Kickoff, 5pm ET — WWE Network
Preshow, 6pm ET — USA Network, WWE Network
WrestleMania 32, 7 p.m. ET — WWE Network and Pay-Per-View
Images: WWE