Legendary Wrestlemania Sets

 Wrestlemania is days away, and one question often pondered by fans is what will the stage look like this year. It has become such a part of the spectacle that is Wrestlemania that WWE often reveals the stage a night or two before the event itself. I started thinking about some of the best Wrestlemania sets over the years. Since WWE started operating in stadiums they have gone all out on the stage design, but there are just some designs that are iconic. With that here are a few legendary Wrestlemania sets.

Wrestlemania IX

Wrestlemania IX is in the conversation as one of the worst Wrestlemania's ever. A lot of it has to do with the way Hogan shoehorned his way into the main event for the WWF championship, stealing Bret Hart's spotlight. Regardless of that you cannot deny the actual aesthetic of the event was top tier, especially during that point in time when the stage was not deemed as important as it is now.

Hosted in Las Vegas from Caesar's Palace, the company may have went overboard with the whole Roman Empire theme and toga's. However that setting of being outdoors when that was not something common and the backdrop of the casino. Just puts a touch on the event, that almost makes up for the lackluster card.

                                     

Wrestlemania XX

After the previous 3 Mania's being held in stadiums, the WWE returned home to Madison Square Garden for Wrestlemania XX. Of course since the Garden is an arena they couldn't go all out on the entrance, but for the year 2004 the set up was damn impressive. The stage comprised of monitors in different shapes and sizes to make up the New York City skyline, with the floor of the stage also a video panel.

Wrestlemania XXVI

The set for Wrestlemania XXVI just maybe one of the most underrated sets ever. I'm not sure why that set is not talked about or revered more. Since Mania was held in Phoenix, Arizona that year, the stage was meant to resemble Mayan Temples. Genius in my opinion, but I wonder if people missed the connection. 

If so, oh well. It's still one of the better more intricate designed Mania stages ever 

Wrestlemania 29

Wrestlemania 29 was the fourth Mania held in the New York City area, hailing from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. While previous manias were held within the confines of madison square garden, WWE decided to go big on honoring New York City with an outdoor stadium.

The stage and entrance was comprised of the NYC skyline Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building as the focal points with subsequent buildings in the background. 

Over the ring was the top half of the Statue Of Liberty, whoever designed this deserved an award in the design industry.

Wrestlemania XXX

Wrestlemania XXX was a simple design but honestly a sight to behold. To fit into the vibe of host city New Orleans, the stage was a regal purple and gold color scheme. With 3 big X's to represent the Roman numerals for 30. Perfect example of a stage that's simple but stands out.

Wrestlemania 33

Wrestlemania 33's stage may just be the best designed Mania stage ever. It for sure was the grandest honestly. Mania was in WWE's second home of Orlando, FL that year, so to tie in with that a theme park inspired set was crafted.

The centerpiece of the set was a globe with Wrestlemania over it. Taking inspiration from the Universal Studios logo. Flanked by probably the longest stage in Mania history, a bunch of LED screens. Then to top it off structures built to resemble roller coasters. A inflated WWE ring sat atop the support structure over the ring.

It truly was awe inspiring to see that stage in person.

Wrestlemania 34

While Wrestlemania XXX in New Orleans was more about celebrating 30 years of Mania. Wrestlemania 34 in New Orleans was about celebrating the big easy and it's culture. And WWE again did not disappoint.

The centerpiece of the stage was a Harlequin mask. The word Wrestlemania constructed near the top of the mask. The entire mask  were LED screens and it could change colors going from the vibrant colors associated with Mardi gras to Triple H's signature green during his entrance.

Wrestlemania 37 

When WWE announced Wrestlemania would be held in Tampa Bay in 2020, fans instantly thought about how they would incorporate the Buccaneers pirate ship into the event. Of course covid hit, Wrestlemania that year was held at the Performance center, and we waited til the following year to see just how they did it.

In perfect WWE fashion they did nothing extra really and made the pirate ship the focal point. Built some LED screens around it and used pyro and the cannon at the right time. Made fans feel like they were seeing Pirates celebrating over the nights sky.

Wrestlemania 39

Last year's Mania was another extravagant stage with a touch of elegance. A Wrestlemania in LA has to fit a Hollywood theme and the WWE definitely deserved a Oscar nomination for best set. The stage was inspired by the academy awards. The gold and black color scheme that's associated with the oscar statue. 

Stairs illuminated to represent the red carpet. Kind of hard to make out on TV but the stage itself where wrestlers initially walked out looked like the stage of an awards show. For the eagle eye viewers, the sides of the stage featured WWE superstars in movie poster formatted "frames".

A glorious design indeed. Which shows how much the company puts into topping the previous year in all aspects. Designing and constructing those sets is no small feat, hats off to all parties involved.