WrestleMania 39
WrestleMania 39 | |||
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![]() Promotional poster featuring Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes | |||
Promotion | WWE | ||
Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown | ||
Date | April 1–2, 2023 | ||
City | Inglewood, California | ||
Venue | SoFi Stadium | ||
Tagline(s) | "WrestleMania Goes Hollywood" | ||
WWE Network event chronology | |||
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WrestleMania chronology | |||
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WrestleMania 39 (marketed as WrestleMania Goes Hollywood) is the upcoming 39th annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It will be held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. The event is scheduled to be held as a two-night event, taking place on April 1 and 2, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California—the original location of WrestleMania 37 before the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to be relocated.
WrestleMania 39 will be the sixth to be held in Greater Los Angeles (after 2, VII, XII, 2000, and 21), and the overall seventh held in the state of California (including 31, which was held in the Bay Area).
This will also be the first WrestleMania to take place under Paul "Triple H" Levesque's creative control, following the retirement of Vince McMahon in July 2022; McMahon had served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company since 1982 and created WrestleMania in 1985, although he returned to the company in January 2023 as Executive Chairman, with no involvement in booking the event.
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Production
Background
WrestleMania is WWE's flagship pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event, having first been held in 1985. It was the company's first PPV produced and was also the company's first major event available via livestreaming when WWE began using that broadcasting outlet in 2014. It is the longest-running professional wrestling event in history and is held annually between mid-March to mid-April.[1] Along with Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank, it is one of the company's five biggest events of the year, referred to as the "Big Five".[2][3] WrestleMania is ranked the sixth-most valuable sports brand in the world by Forbes,[4] and has been described as the Super Bowl of sports entertainment.[5] Much like the Super Bowl, cities bid for the right to host the year's edition of WrestleMania.[6] WrestleMania 39 will feature wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. In addition to airing on traditional PPV, it will be available to livestream on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network in international markets.[7]
On February 10, 2020, WWE announced that SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California would host WrestleMania 37 on March 28, 2021, with the event being promoted as "WrestleMania Goes Hollywood".[8][9] Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer reported that WWE had originally pushed for SoFi Stadium to host WrestleMania in 2022, so it could promote the event as having a larger overall attendance than Super Bowl LVI (which was held at the same venue in February of that year). However, Inglewood city officials preferred that WrestleMania be held in 2021 to prepare for Super Bowl LVI.[10]
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in October 2020, however, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that WWE was considering relocating WrestleMania 37, as the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in California made it increasingly unlikely that the event could be held with in-person spectators on the scheduled date. WWE had reportedly planned to relocate the event to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, which was originally scheduled to host WrestleMania 36 before the onset of the pandemic forced it to be scaled back and held at WWE's Orlando training facility instead.[11] In late-September 2020, Florida governor Ron DeSantis lifted all mandatory capacity restrictions in the state, although sports teams continued to voluntarily impose capacity restrictions based on federal guidance.[12][13] California allowed outdoor stadiums to re-open to in-state visitors only beginning April 1, 2021, with capacity restricted based on case positivity in individual regions.[14]
On January 16, 2021, WWE announced that WrestleMania 37 would in fact be relocated to Tampa. Along with this announcement, WWE revealed that SoFi Stadium would still host a WrestleMania, but it would instead be WrestleMania 39 in April 2023—WrestleMania 38 was announced for AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in 2022. WrestleMania 39 will be the first since WrestleMania 21 to be held in Greater Los Angeles, and the seventh held in the state of California (after 2, VII, XII, 2000, 21, and 31). WrestleMania 39 in turn also adopted the "Hollywood" marketing originally intended for WrestleMania 37.[7] The event was originally announced to be held solely on Sunday, April 2, 2023, but during WrestleMania 38, it was revealed that like the previous three WrestleMania events, WrestleMania 39 was expanded to a two-night event, scheduled for Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2.[15]
Tickets for the event went on sale on August 12, 2022. WWE also announced that WrestleMania Priority Passes would be available beginning July 22. These passes include premier seating, a dedicated stadium entrance, premium hospitality offerings, and meet-and-greets with current WWE wrestlers and legends.[16] Ticket sales for WrestleMania 39 set a company record, with over 90,000 tickets sold within the first 24 hours, more than any other WWE event in history.[17]
WrestleMania was created by WWE owner Vince McMahon. In July 2022, McMahon announced his retirement, after having served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company since 1982. His daughter, Stephanie McMahon, along with WWE president Nick Khan, became co-CEOs of WWE, while Stephanie also became the Chairwoman. Vince's son-in-law—Stephanie's husband—Paul "Triple H" Levesque took over creative control.[18] Stephanie would resign as co-CEO and Chairwoman in January 2023, and Vince would return as Executive Chairman while Khan became the sole CEO.[19] Although Vince returned in an executive role, Triple H maintained complete creative control of booking WWE's storylines.[20]
Other WrestleMania Week events
As part of the WrestleMania festivities, WWE will hold a number of events throughout the week. The night before WrestleMania 39 on March 31, WWE will kick off WrestleMania Weekend with a special "WrestleMania Edition" of SmackDown. Immediately after SmackDown, the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony will commence. The day of WrestleMania Saturday, WWE's developmental brand NXT will hold its annual WrestleMania Week event, Stand & Deliver. WrestleMania Week will conclude with the Raw after WrestleMania on April 3. All of these events will be held live at the Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles.[21]
Storylines
The event will include matches that each result from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portray heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results are predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,[22][23] while storylines are produced on WWE's weekly television shows, Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.[24]
At the Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes won the men's Royal Rumble match to earn a match against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39.[25][26]
At the Royal Rumble, Rhea Ripley won the women's Royal Rumble match to earn a women's championship match of her choice at WrestleMania 39.[25] On the following episode of Raw, she chose to challenge Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship, setting up a WrestleMania rematch between the two from WrestleMania 36 in 2020, where Flair had won that year's Royal Rumble and had chosen and defeated Ripley at WrestleMania for the NXT Women's Championship.[26]
Due to women's Royal Rumble match winner Rhea Ripley choosing the SmackDown Women's Championship, an Elimination Chamber match was scheduled for Elimination Chamber to determine Bianca Belair's challenger for the Raw Women's Championship at WrestleMania 39.[26]
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Matches
No. | Matches* | Stipulations | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes | Singles match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship[27] | |
2 | Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley | Singles match for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship[28] | |
3 | Bianca Belair (c) vs. Elimination Chamber winner | Singles match for the WWE Raw Women's Championship | |
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Source: "WrestleMania 39", Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, (2023, February 1st), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WrestleMania_39.
Further Reading

WWE

Vince McMahon

Shane McMahon

WrestleMania

History of WWE

Royal Rumble match

Backlash (2007)

WrestleMania XXVI

List of WWE pay-per-view and WWE Network events

Bianca Belair

Royal Rumble (2019)

WrestleMania 37

WrestleMania 38

Rhea Ripley

Royal Rumble (2023)

SummerSlam (2021)

SummerSlam (2022)

Royal Rumble (2022)
References
- ^ "WrestleMania 29 press conference brings WWE to Radio City Music Hall". WWE. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
... WWE's flagship event lights up MetLife Stadium ... WrestleMania
- ^ Ian Hamilton. Wrestling's Sinking Ship: What Happens to an Industry Without Competition. p. 160.
- ^ News 3 Staff (August 22, 2021). "Las Vegas to host WWE's Money in the Bank in 2022". KSNV. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "The Forbes Fab 40: Puma Debuts On 2019 List Of The World's Most Valuable Sports Brands". Forbes. October 16, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ Gelston, Dan. "WrestleMania is Super Bowl of sports entertainment". Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ Graser, Marc (March 28, 2010). "WrestleMania sets off bidding frenzy". Variety. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
- ^ a b "WrestleMania set for Tampa Bay in 2021; Dallas in 2022; Los Angeles in 2023". WWE. January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ "Column: WrestleMania 37 will take place at SoFi Stadium in April 2021". Los Angeles Times. February 10, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ "WrestleMania 37 location: WWE returns to California with 2021 show in Los Angeles". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- ^ Harris, Jeffrey (February 11, 2020). "WWE Originally Pushed for WrestleMania at SoFi Stadium in 2022 to Beat the Super Bowl's Attendance". 411MANIA. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- ^ Nason, Josh (October 2, 2020). "WWE BRINGING WRESTLEMANIA BACK TO TAMPA'S RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ "Gov. DeSantis Announces Phase 3 Reopening, Lifts Restrictions On Restaurants". WUSF Public Media. September 25, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
- ^ Crocker, Brittany. "Fact check: Florida, Georgia, Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee don't require masks statewide". USA Today. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
- ^ "California theme parks, stadiums can reopen as soon as April 1 under revamped COVID-19 rules". Los Angeles Times. March 5, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ Defelice, Robert (April 2, 2022). "WWE WrestleMania 39 Officially Set To Be Held Across Two Nights In April 2023". Fightful. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- ^ Currier, Joseph (July 14, 2022). "WWE reveals WrestleMania 39 ticket on-sale date". Wrestling Observer. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ Mitchell, Houston (August 16, 2022). "Wrestlemania 39 at SoFi Stadium sets WWE ticket sales record". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Currier, Joseph (July 22, 2022). "Vince McMahon announces retirement from WWE". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ Sherman, Alex (January 10, 2023). "Stephanie McMahon steps down as WWE co-CEO as her dad, Vince, returns as executive chairman". CNBC. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ Mrosko, Geno (January 13, 2023). "Report: Triple H assures talent Vince McMahon's return won't affect WWE creative". Cageside Seats. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ "WrestleMania Goes Hollywood with full week of events in Los Angeles". WWE. November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ Steinberg, Brian (May 25, 2016). "WWE's 'Smackdown' Will Move To Live Broadcast On USA (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 26, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ a b Powell, Jason (January 28, 2023). "WWE Royal Rumble results: Powell's live review of the Royal Rumble matches, Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women's Championship, Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight in a Pitch Black match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ a b c Keller, Wade (January 30, 2023). "1/23 WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW RESULTS: Keller's report on Cody celebrating Rumble win, Ripley declares WM choice, Gargano vs. Corbin and Seth vs. Gable". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ WWE.com Staff (January 30, 2023). "Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes". WWE. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ Miller, Gregory (January 30, 2023). "Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley (SmackDown Women's Title)". WWE. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
External links
Categories
- 2023 WWE Network events
- 2023 WWE pay-per-view events
- 2023 in Los Angeles County, California
- 2023 in professional wrestling
- April 2023 events in the United States
- Articles with short description
- Events in Inglewood, California
- Official website not in Wikidata
- Professional wrestling in California
- Scheduled professional wrestling shows
- Short description is different from Wikidata
- Sports competitions in Inglewood, California
- WrestleMania
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