2008 Woodie Awards
Fans turn out for ‘super bowl’
Penney White
Issue date: 4/17/03 Section: Sports
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Fans waited anxiously in line for the gates of Safeco Field to open for Wrestlemania XIX on March 30, 2003.
The baseball field was full, reaching record-breaking attendance at 54,097, the largest in its four-year history. Fans of all ages gathered to witness first-hand the so-called Super Bowl of professional wrestling held in Seattle.
Last minute arrivals swarmed the Safeco Field box offices hoping for a ticket to what was known to be a sold out event.
Ringside tickets sold at $400 each but some were lucky to find last minute open chairs.
"We found seats 13 rows back on the floor next to the ramp, how good is that?" explained brothers Michael and Rick Horn, fans from Tacoma.
Fans that were not so lucky, watched with millions of others on Pay-per-view for $39.95. According to an article in the Seattle Times, Wrestlemania grossed $2,760,035 in tickets.
When the doors opened at 2:30 p.m., the lines had reached all four corners of the block around the baseball stadium and more were walking from parking found a mile away. Memorabilia and food stands lined Occidental Avenue next to Seahawks Stadium's West Plaza and Convention Hall.
Once everyone got past the security checks, people mapped out their agenda and headed for the beer stands, t-shirt stands, restrooms or their seats. Due to the changing weather, the retracting roof was closed but daylight shone through and fans had fresh air to greet them.
After two hours, Howard Finkel presented Grammy-winning R&B singer Ashanti as the honoree singer of the national anthem. Some fans held up banners that said hello and other sentiments to troops away in Iraq.
Once the show got underway, fans cheered to ear ringing pitches and held up homemade banners as Matt Hardy came down to the ring for the WWE World Cruiserweight championship match against Rey Misterio Jr. Everyone reeled and camera flashes lit up the field as Misterio made one of his famous aerial moves toward the mat.
The baseball field was full, reaching record-breaking attendance at 54,097, the largest in its four-year history. Fans of all ages gathered to witness first-hand the so-called Super Bowl of professional wrestling held in Seattle.
Last minute arrivals swarmed the Safeco Field box offices hoping for a ticket to what was known to be a sold out event.
Ringside tickets sold at $400 each but some were lucky to find last minute open chairs.
"We found seats 13 rows back on the floor next to the ramp, how good is that?" explained brothers Michael and Rick Horn, fans from Tacoma.
Fans that were not so lucky, watched with millions of others on Pay-per-view for $39.95. According to an article in the Seattle Times, Wrestlemania grossed $2,760,035 in tickets.
When the doors opened at 2:30 p.m., the lines had reached all four corners of the block around the baseball stadium and more were walking from parking found a mile away. Memorabilia and food stands lined Occidental Avenue next to Seahawks Stadium's West Plaza and Convention Hall.
Once everyone got past the security checks, people mapped out their agenda and headed for the beer stands, t-shirt stands, restrooms or their seats. Due to the changing weather, the retracting roof was closed but daylight shone through and fans had fresh air to greet them.
After two hours, Howard Finkel presented Grammy-winning R&B singer Ashanti as the honoree singer of the national anthem. Some fans held up banners that said hello and other sentiments to troops away in Iraq.
Once the show got underway, fans cheered to ear ringing pitches and held up homemade banners as Matt Hardy came down to the ring for the WWE World Cruiserweight championship match against Rey Misterio Jr. Everyone reeled and camera flashes lit up the field as Misterio made one of his famous aerial moves toward the mat.