The early start to ESPN's partnership with WWE for premium live events adds to Indianapolis' growing portfolio with the pro wrestling property. February's Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium drew a franchise record 70,347 fans. Now, Gainbridge Fieldhouse will host the first-ever Wrestlepalooza on Saturday, Sept. 20, as the ESPN-WWE partnership gets underway.
Indy, which was recently featured in SBJ as one of the country's hottest sports business markets, had hosted several WWE arena events and a WrestleMania prior to this year's Royal Rumble. A future WrestleMania and SummerSlam are expected to come to the home of the Indianapolis Colts as a part of the deal finalized last summer between the Indiana Sports Corp. and WWE. John Cena and Brock Lesnar are expected to headline next month's event.