Highest-Grossing WrestleMania Ever Sets Levi's Stadium Attendance Record
SANTA CLARA (KCBS)— WrestleMania organizers say Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium hit a new attendance record with 76,976 fans turning up for World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE) 31st annual showcase event.
According to organizers it was also the highest grossing WrestleMania in the event's history at $12.6 million. Fans clad in masks, face paint, or carrying replica championship belts came from all 50 states and from as many as 40 different countries including Australia, South Africa, Portugal and Brazil.
The four-hour sports entertainment spectacular saw the likes of the Big Show winning the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale, as well as HHH defeating Sting. Even MMA star Ronda Rousey got in on the action when she in turn body slammed HHH in a battle of the genders moment.
One of the stars, Randy Orton's girlfriend Kim Kessler, said wrestling with its good versus evil storylines is more popular than football.
"There are so many different characters. There's somebody for everybody," Kessler said.
One fan in attendance said the event is called the Super Bowl of wrestling, but noted that even football can't pack 80,000 fans in a stadium.
The attendance record was partly because of the thousands of seats placed directly onto the football field.
The take away for local businesses related to the event is estimated at over $100 million.
