It goes without saying that WrestleMania is the ‘Grandest stage of them all’. Therefore, the WWE is obliged to apply the same by creating the best-looking sets they can possibly comprehend. However, this was not always the case. The first five Wrestlemanias alone were monotone and lacked any kind of distinct features to pull them apart.
Now into the modern era, WWE fans expect unique themes and new dazzling sets year after year, most of the time the WWE doesn’t let the universe down.
With our imagination gazed upon the ring, the oversized ramp, and the centrepiece above the stage, we look at the five greatest Wrestlemania sets of all time.
#5 Wrestlemania 32 – April 3rd, 2016 – AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas
The third ‘Showcase of the Immortals’ to be held in Texas, Wrestlemania 32 set the bar for the attendance record with an estimated 100,000 people filling the arena.
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The most notable aspect about the set is its familiarity with the Texas flag. The theme and Logo were rinsed with red, white, and blue, along with a giant Texas ‘Lone Star’ being blended into the stage and ramp.
Altogether an impressive look, that didn’t overdo it on the gimmickry, but still upheld a certain finesse fit for the ‘grandest stage of them all’.
#4 WrestleMania 26 – March 28th, 2010 - University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, Arizona
WrestleMania 26 was certainly a mixed bag when you look at the matchups. But the pyramid-like steel gantry and the over-the-top Titantron set make this event well placed at 4 on the list.
The set had room to breathe being only the 3rd ever WrestleMania to be hosted in an open-air venue, with the others being at Wrestlemania IX and WrestleMania XXIV.
The unique steel tarpaulin gantry over the ring was unique in design, and it had the strength to hold up 30 tons of lighting and camera equipment including the central 360 Tron. Whereas the stage was 8 feet off the stadium floor, and 400,000 individual pyrotechnic elements were included in the show to add to a new and improved visual display.
#3 WrestleMania 25 – April 5th, 2009 – Reliant Stadium – Houston, Texas
The 25th iteration of WrestleMania would have to pull out all the stops for the celebration of the timely anniversary. Luckily it did, and WrestleMania 25 would go down as one of the best of all time. Needless to say, the all-around show-stopping phenomenal event that was Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker took the show to the next level.
Being the 2nd time WrestleMania aired from Texas, it carried the same tribute to the state as Wrestlemania 32, with a nod to the Lone Star appearing once again at the centre stage. It could also be assumed the 5-pointed star was a representation of the 25-year anniversary also.
Once again, a set that didn’t try to shove the event in your face, in this case being the anniversary. It was simple, yet divine.
#2 WrestleMania 30 – April 6th, 2014 - Mercedes-Benz Superdome - New Orleans, Louisiana
If you are wondering how WrestleMania 34 is going to look, you might want to take some inspiration from the magnificent set of WrestleMania XXX. The home of Mardi Gras and the spirit of New Orleans gave WrestleMania a very fresh and colourful face-lift in 2014.
The vibe and look of the set were not like anything seen before. The grandiose and vibrant centrepiece was eye-blinding in colour with a celebratory purple shade lighting up the WrestleMania sign and the giant Roman numerals suspended below.
It is no wonder why New Orleans should get to host an event like WrestleMania that in itself is a festival to celebrate. 4 years later it seems fitting that ‘Big Easy’ is set to once again sprinkle its festive flamboyancy over the Superdome and the city that surrounds.
#1 WrestleMania 33 – April 2nd, 2017 – Camping World Stadium – Orlando, Florida
WrestleMania 33 was again an up and down ride in terms of quality matches and amazing storylines. However, It encapsulated a very well thought out and intriguing set.
Airing from Orlando (The home of Theme parks), the WWE would capitalise on the idea that Wrestlemania 33 would be ‘The Ultimate Thrill Ride’.
As annoying as it would get to be bombarded by Michael Cole’s constant advertising of the aforementioned nickname, the show itself would have a set that could easily lift up to the hype.
A giant iconic globe, that could have infringed on a well-known film company, yet seemed to mark the WWE’s commitment to its global brand. A rollercoaster, that would be all to familiar to Orlando Residents, and a Colossal WWE ring that covered the real squared circle.
Sure it might seem too gimmicky for some, but it shows serious ambition.
It seems like we see different venues, we get a taste of the locations in the sets, and that is what sets them apart from earlier forms of the event. It shows serious intent from the WWE to evolve and create new and amazing experiences for the WWE universe for years to come.
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