Every year between March and April since 1985, professional wrestling fans across the world wait for a spectacle that rivals global sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, Cricket World Cup and the Olympics.
With the rise of cable television and later digital streaming, this shared ritual has also reached Bangladesh, where fans follow it through late-night broadcasts and online platforms. That spectacle is WrestleMania, widely regarded as the greatest wrestling show on Earth.
Known as the ‘Showcase of the Immortals’, WrestleMania has featured modern-day celebrities such as Logan Paul, Bad Bunny and even US President Donald Trump in various appearances over the years. Yet it began as a risky experimental pay-per-view event that went on to redefine professional wrestling. In 1985, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, formerly WWF or World Wrestling Federation), led by Vince McMahon, staged the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden.
The main event of that inaugural show saw Hulk Hogan and Mr T defeat Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff, with boxing legend Muhammad Ali serving as special enforcer. Its success helped establish WWF’s dominance and pushed wrestling firmly into mainstream entertainment.
The event expanded rapidly. WrestleMania 2 experimented with three cities in one night, while WrestleMania III became historic, drawing 93,173 fans in Pontiac. That edition was headlined by Hogan versus Andre the Giant and featured Randy Savage versus Ricky Steamboat, a match still regarded as one of the greatest in wrestling history.
Over time, WrestleMania became WWE’s flagship event and part of its Big Five alongside ‘Royal Rumble’, ‘SummerSlam’, ‘Survivor Series’ and ‘Money in the Bank’. From its pay-per-view beginnings, it moved to global livestreaming in 2014 and now reaches audiences worldwide via major platforms, including Netflix internationally and ESPN in the US.
Modern editions are staged in large stadiums, often attracting huge crowds. WrestleMania 32 in Texas set a record attendance of more than 100,000. Like the Super Bowl, cities compete to host it due to its major tourism impact, hotel occupancy boost and global media exposure.
The grandeur of WrestleMania lies in its presentation. Cinematic storytelling, elaborate entrances, pyrotechnics and live music transform it into a blend of sport and theatre. Iconic matches such as Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant, The Rock versus Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Undertaker’s undefeated streak have defined eras and created lasting pop culture moments.
This year’s WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, which also hosted the previous edition, continues that legacy. Night 1 featured Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in a chaotic main event, with John Cena hosting and celebrity appearances adding extra spectacle. Night 2 is expected to escalate further with major bouts including Roman Reigns versus CM Punk and Brock Lesnar facing Oba Femi.
Celebrity involvement has long been central to WrestleMania’s identity. Over the decades, it has featured figures such as Mike Tyson, Donald Trump, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Bad Bunny. Athletes like Ronda Rousey transitioned into WWE and even headlined WrestleMania 35 in the first women’s main event, marking a milestone in representation.
Music has also shaped its identity, with artists and bands such as Motörhead, Limp Bizkit, Run-D.M.C., Salt-N-Pepa, Living Colour and Snoop Dogg performing live or accompanying entrances, turning matches into full-scale concerts.
At its core, WrestleMania is driven by championship stakes and long-running rivalries. Since 1993, Royal Rumble winners have typically earned a world title match at WrestleMania, making it the ultimate destination in WWE storytelling. Innovations such as the Money in the Bank ladder match and evolving championship structures have added further unpredictability.
The event also adapted during crisis. WrestleMania 36 in 2020 was held without fans due to the Covid-19 pandemic, becoming the only edition without a live audience while also introducing the now-standard two-night format, allowing for expanded storytelling.
Beyond entertainment, WrestleMania is a major economic driver. Host cities see surges in tourism, hospitality revenue and global media attention, with week-long fan events boosting local economies. It is consistently ranked among the world’s most valuable sports entertainment brands.
Even for fans in Bangladesh, WrestleMania has become a must-watch event. Despite time differences, audiences stay awake through the night, following matches, debating outcomes and celebrating global wrestling icons. It connects them to a worldwide community.
Based on WWE’s long-standing partnership with Saudi Arabia and its broader international expansion strategy, WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is expected to mark the first edition of the event outside North America, signalling WWE’s growing global ambitions.
From a bold experiment in New York to a worldwide phenomenon, WrestleMania remains a unique fusion of sport and spectacle, uniting millions under one grand stage.
