WWE Headed to Staples After Denver Boot; We've Got Tickets
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The owner of Denver's Pepsi Center must not have had a lot of faith in his home-town Nuggets playoff chances. This spring he signed a deal to host wrestling promoter WWE's Raw on Monday night, a date that now conflicts with game four of the Nuggets' series against the Lakers.
Pepsi Center's loss is Downtown's gain, as the spurned WWE is bringing its roadshow one thousand miles west to Staples Center. We've got tickets to give out to wrestling-fan readers courtesy of AEG, and those who don't win can get 20% off.
Monday night Raw kicks off at 5:30pm. Tuesday night, stars from ECW and Smackdown are at Staples, with a 6:30pm start time.
According to the LA Times, the deal to bring the event to Staples was made during game one of the Western Conference Finals.
World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman Vince McMahon told The Times today that the agreement to move his scheduled 'Monday Night Raw" event from Denver's Pepsi Center to Staples Center was verbally agreed upon by his son, Shane, and AEG executive Tim Leiweke at Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Finals Tuesday night at Staples Center.
"We were invited to come out to L.A., and that's what we did," McMahon said. "It's not easy moving the second largest traveling show in the country behind Ringling Bros. [circus] at the last minute, when you're talking about rerouting trucks and finding hotel rooms on a holiday. But we're doing it. Now we just need to sell tickets."
Those interested in buying those tickets can get 20% off by printing out this flyer and bringing it to the box-office at Staples (where they'll also avoid Ticketmaster fees). Tickets start at $20.
Here's an even better deal: We've got four pairs of tickets to each event we're looking to unload to a few lucky readers.
To win, just leave a comment with your favorite wrestling story. Make sure to note which day you want to enter for (and, yes, both is an option). Contest will run until Saturday at 8pm.
Eric on May 21, 2009, at 05:30PM – #1
About a year ago I was a talent agent and did not like it at all so I started looking around for a new job. Through some connections I was offered a job at WWEs LA office doing celebrity relations. I had always liked Wrestling as a kid so I quit my CONTRACT gig at the agency and went to WWE. After 1 month, I was laid off and remained out of work for many, many months. They claimed budget cuts. I have some interesting stories from my time there but I won't air all that on a public forum, Wouldn't want Vinny Mac coming at me. For this reason, I think I should get tickets to Tuesday nights show. Hook it up!
Ajax on May 21, 2009, at 06:39PM – #2
I was always a big time wrestling fan as a kid. I liked the legion of doom, bushwackers, hulk hogan, and ultimate warrior. When i would visit my cousins, they would have me and my younger cousin wrestle in an over-the-top-of-the-bed match for mcdonalds french fries-not the whole bag...but each fry. i think the match was always over with the smelly armpit move and a clothesline. looking for tickets for both nights.
El Random Hero on May 21, 2009, at 07:02PM – #3
My dad use to be a luchador, Mexican wrestler back in the day. He was in top physical peak and was moving up in the ranks until some jealous ass hole dislocated his shoulder and ended his career. That and he had a new born son to take care, mainly me. Growing up admiring what he use to do instilled a love and passion for wrestling in me. A love that's beyond the physical mayhem that it's today. A love for the art and craft that is rastlin'. The incredible acrobatics and displays of athletisism these men are capable of that us bystanders can only see in awe and marvel at. To be able to understand the complexcities of the differnt holds and submissions and know that they're not all fake as most people think. Watching wrestling with him, I can see the sparkle in his eyes. The envy of not being to do what he loves anymore. He sits there, admiring these men just like I admired him when he was up there doing his thing. He says that it may look painful to get hit on the back with a chair, but it doesn't compare to having your forehead bleed from bites. He knows what's fake and what is real when he watches. To everyone who watches it, they all claim it's fake, but to my dad, not only was it real, but it was a way of life.
El Random Hero on May 21, 2009, at 07:05PM – #4
Ohh and I'd like tixs for both nights. :-D
Benjamin Pezzillo on May 21, 2009, at 07:51PM – #5
"The brothers do not give me money for fresh ingredients."
Gabe on May 21, 2009, at 10:42PM – #6
I've been watching wrestling for 19 Years.
Ed Fuentes on May 21, 2009, at 11:21PM – #7
I vote for Random Hero, the Lucha Libre of los bloggers.
Angel on May 22, 2009, at 01:10AM – #8
Back in the early 70s my uncle would get a bunch of my cousins together to watch wrestling on TV. There was a certain "old school pride" when we would name off some of the wrestlers from those days like Victor Rivera and Man Mountain Mike to some of the fans of today. Until they say "who?" reminding us how old we are... ouch! Both night would be great otherwise Monday would be preferred.
Chris Vazquez on May 22, 2009, at 11:42AM – #9
Along with many other childhood memories, wrestling was a big influence. Growing up during the latter part of the 1980s - early 1990s golden era of wrestling, my neighbors, friends at school, and even one of my elementary school teachers were talking about the latest happenings, who was the strongest wrestler or who had the best finishing move. My friends and I would sometimes imitate some of the promos of our favorite wrestlers or ones we found funny. AWA, WWF (now WWE), NWA (became WCW), WCW, and if I were lucky enough to find a program running on a international network on weekends, NJPW, sketched many names and events I still can seamlessly reference in a instant. Most of the 1980s PPV events I rented from the local video rental store. Then there was Saturday Night's Main Event, WWF Superstars, and Wrestling Challenge for regular local TV viewing. WWE was my favorite organization. Listening to Gorilla Monsoon (RIP) & Jesse "The Body" Ventura of the WWE cover the matches made them seem very epic; especially if Hulk Hogan was involved.
I would love to have the opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream of attending a WWE event and to see the present-day big names of the business.
Chris Vazquez on May 22, 2009, at 11:50AM – #10
Edit: Preferred for Monday :)
adomasin on May 22, 2009, at 12:27PM – #11
i was six years old when i attended my very first show/sporting event. even before my first visit to disneyland my grandfather candido, a HUGE fan, introduced me to the wonderful world of wrestling in the raucous, smoky olympic auditorium. i will never forget the first time i saw a caged fighter lowered into the ring. it was both scary and exciting for a little kid from cudahay. i miss those days and i miss my grampa. hook me up for tuesday please.
celia on May 22, 2009, at 12:58PM – #12
Back when I used to spend time up in the Bay Area, I would enjoy the lively bar scene in SoMA. I kept returning to one bar in particular because they had cheap drinks and a ring in the center of the room for amateur wrestling. After several drinks, I was persuaded to enter the ring and wrestle Volodya - she was a prison guard from Kiev on her bi-annual vacation. I learned a lot that night, mostly that I bruise like fruit and four Long Island Iced Teas are my limit. But mostly I learned that wrestling is best done by professionals.
Tix for either night, please.
Steve Marks on May 22, 2009, at 02:37PM – #13
Totally grew up watching WWF wrestling... oh the olden' days! I was definitely an Ultimate Warrior fan, but the best moment was always when the Undertaker "died"... then "rose from the dead". So awesome!
I'd love tickets to either Monday or Tuesday night. Thanks!
tim on May 22, 2009, at 10:34PM – #14
anyone have the coupon for 20% off for online? I live far away from staples and don't want to have to drive 40 miles to get 20% off. thanks, -tim
Jahaira noriega on May 22, 2009, at 11:18PM – #15
Well the only stories I have are the ones on tv but my worst moment was when Big Show threw John Cena (my love) through that light OMG I almost fainted I swear even my husband was like "babe it's not like you know him" but I love John Cena & I hope I get these tickets PLEASE!!!!! Honestly if I had the funda I would pay ANYTHING to go see them but I can't afford the tickets please make my dreams come true Mother's day just past & this would be a great present. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!! John Cena I love you!!!!Jeff Hardy & Rey Mysterio rock!!!
Tim Hyde on May 23, 2009, at 01:38PM – #16
I was about 14 years old when I dragged my Stepdad to the Pond in Anaheim because I had been watching Smackdown and saw "Mr. America" who was clearly Hulk Hogan who was my favorite wrestler besides Edge & Christian. We waited nearly 10 hours in line behind about 5 scalpers waiting to make a quick buck I'm sure. So we finally get up to the ticket window and nearly all the good seats are taken! The guy in front of us had bought 30 tickets! So we got tickets in the upperdeck WAY UP THERE (and this is after saving up $80 as a 14 year old with no job took about a month!) and yes I had to pay for my stepdad to go because "wrasslin" is fake to him. So we go and go to our seats which were even farther then I thought! But the night was more then amazing. I got to buy a Mr. America tee and lovely $10 nachos. But that wasn't the best part of it! My stepdad and I had left the Pond and sat in parking lot for an hour because of traffic, then went to In N Out to grab a burger and guess who I see in the bathroom? Mr. Hogan himself! I spoke with him for about 10 minutes and he bought me and my stepdad a burger! My stepdad gave him my address on a napkin and about 3 months later I got a signed Hulkamania tee he had used in a match in WWE in the 90's. Just the fact that he would remember to send something to some random kid on the road. Made me and my stepdad fans for life! So I would love tickets to either night (Prefer Smackdown/ECW on Tuesday) but whatever is easier for you guys! I would love to take my stepdad one more time! Hes getting up there in years! (He'd kill me if he read that! haha) thanks again guys, -tim
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on May 23, 2009, at 09:04PM – #17
I'm extending this giveaway until tomorrow morning, so feel free to enter until 9am on Sunday.
Urban Bruin on May 23, 2009, at 09:25PM – #18
My first memory of seeing an Asian American role model on t.v. was watching Ricky "the Dragon" Steamboat on Saturday morning shows. Too bad "the Dragon" is still one of a few strong depictions of Asian Pacific American males in mainstream media.
Tuesday night tickets please.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on May 24, 2009, at 09:24AM – #19
Closing off comments so I can pick winners. You'll get an email within the next half hour if you're one of the lucky ones. Good luck!