WrestleMania week is fast approaching, and there are literally dozens upon dozens of things to do if you are attending, whether you’re a fan of this weird, outstanding form of entertainment called pro-wrestling or not. Since I’ll be attending myself, what I did is pick 20 matches and events I feel stand out to me as a fan of all types of wrestling. This isn’t necessarily a to-do list, but think of it merely as a list of suggestions to tackle if you have an extra free moment to yourself. Any of these items will send the vacationing wrestling fan home happy. Are you attending WrestleMania week? Which match or moment are you most excited for? Let us know at @PWPonderings and @deathinkosovo on Twitter.
WrestleMania Axxess
Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Dr.
Thursday, April 5 through Sunday, April 8, various times
There are a hundred reasons to check out WWE WrestleMania fan Axxess if you haven’t done it before, from meeting WWE Superstars to catching some live in-ring action to walking the convention floor and checking out decades of WWE history on display. This year, top-name WWE legends and stars doing VIP autograph signings include Bill Goldberg, Daniel Bryan, Braun Strowman, AJ Styles and Asuka, with many others yet to be announced in the general rounds of meet-and-greets. The last time I personally attended, over WrestleMania XXX weekend, I met Undertaker, Dolph Ziggler and Tyler Breeze, caught matches with Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Paige, participated in engaging social activities like contests from WWE sponsors and video games, and toured WWE’s extensive pop-up museum, which features costumes and props from past events. A massive “super store” full of everything WWE will also be available. General admission tickets start at $55, with VIP options still available.
Riddle vs. Low Ki
Matt Riddle’s Bloodsport
Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd.
Thursday, April 5, 3 p.m.
A late addition to the WWN live event showcase, Matt Riddle’s Bloodsport will offer up an entire show where every fight must end by submission or knock out, and where there are no ring ropes. Fast and dirty action to kick off ‘Mania week sounds pretty good to me. Headlining this card is Riddle vs. Low-Ki in a match up that has been talked for what feels like forever but never committed to film, but that all changes April 5, as for the first time ever, these two meet, and the end result could only be violent. While the state of Louisiana has a ban on blood and piledrivers and a few other things, I don’t doubt this will be one of the most engaging, most buzz-worthy contests of the entire week. Tickets still available.
New Japan invades WrestleMania weekend
Various shows and at WrestleCon, Thursday through Sunday
One of the saving graces of Ring of Honor’s live draws has been New Japan talent, and this year’s Supercard of Honor boasts a healthy roster of talents from that promotion. Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii and Minoru Suzuki will all be making the trip to New Orleans this year, doing the rounds between WrestleCon’s convention floor for autographs and photos, as well as wrestling for the WrestleCon Super Show Thursday, Rev Pro Friday, and the aforementioned ROH Saturday. These guys don’t come around too often, so catch them while you can. Tickets still available for most shows, others on secondhand brokers.
WrestleCon SuperShow sells out weeks in advance
WrestleCon SuperShow
The Sugar Mill, 1021 Convention Center Blvd.
Thursday, April 5, 9:30 p.m.
WrestleCon is developing a reputation of delivering high-end talent on top of its many must-see wrestling shows, and at the front of that line is the yearly SuperShow, which has already sold out (as it did last year). I don’t like or prefer including sold out events into my list, but the SuperShow, for many, is the start of the long weekend, and this year’s lineup is leaving no doubt in anybody’s mind where they want to be Thursday evening. A highlight of this year’s show is the team of Golden Lovers, Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi, tagging against Chuck Taylor and a partner of his choosing. Other matches announced are Jeff Cobb vs. Tomohiro Ishii and Penta El Zero M vs. Joey Janela, while Tenille Dashwood, Will Ospreay, Rey Fenix, Flamita and Flip Gordon will all be in action. Tickets available on secondhand sites like StubHub, but for a premium.
Walemania IV
The Republic NOLA, 828 S. Peters St.
Thursday, April 5, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 5, 7 p.m.
Tickets start at just $15 for WrestleMania weekend’s hottest club-hosted wrestling experience, presented by hip-hop superstar Wale and featuring a number of his friends and cohorts. The event includes an MLW Radio podcast recording, live music performed by Wale, a fan question-and-answer segment, a meet-and-greet with talent, and an after party, among other festivities. Already scheduled to appear are Dave Meltzer, Mark Henry, MVP, Sean Mooney, AAW’s own Marty DeRosa, Sarah Shockey, and a number of high-profile wrestling luminaries. The event runs until 2 a.m., and general admission (standing room) tickets remain.
WrestleCon (all three days)
Sheraton New Orleans, 500 Canal St.
Sheraton New Orleans, 500 Canal St.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday (various times)
The comic book geeks have Comic Con and Wizard World, but us wrestling geeks have them scooped with WrestleCon, a three-day, all-access pass to dozens of professional wrestlers, from the ’60s through today’s era, from Japan to the States and back again. Want to “woo” with Ric Flair? Throw down with Golden Lovers Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi? Or recreate your childhood with two women who preceded the Women’s Evolution in WWE, Trish and Lita? You can do this and much more, as this convention features as many big names as one will ever find, and plenty of littler, more interesting names along with them. Los Boricuas will be there, man. Want to tell Savio you were pissed that time he replaced HBK in the eight-man tag match at No Way Out of Texas 1998? Go for it. Tickets available online and at the door.
PROGRESS chapter shows in America
Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd.
Friday, April 6, 12 p.m. and Saturday, April 7, 12 p.m.
Friday, April 6, 12 p.m. and Saturday, April 7, 12 p.m.
If you’ve been watching wrestling over the last year or longer, odds are you’ve at least heard of PROGRESS Wrestling. As one of the standout companies in all of Europe, PROGRESS blends intricate storytelling with top-name, world-traveled superstars, most of whom are on the verge of breaking out — or in some cases, like Zack Sabre Jr., Will Ospreay and British Strong Style, they already have. These shows, Chapters 66 and 67, respectively, mark the first chapter shows in America, and they’re loaded with talent. From David Starr to Matt Riddle, Pete Dunne to Mark Andrews, Toni Storm to WALTER, you can’t find a wasted spot on their weekend roster. General admission tickets still available.
Women on the RISE Podcast
Royal St. Charles Hotel
135 St. Charles Ave
Royal St. Charles Hotel
135 St. Charles Ave
Friday, April 6, 12 p.m.
Maybe you need a relaxing break from the four or five days of nonstop wrestling you’re for some reason subjecting yourself to, but you still want something wrestling-related. And, maybe, you’re a women’s wrestling fan. If those boxes are ticked for you, then check out the Women on the RISE Podcast, which will feature some of the top names in women’s wrestling discussing their craft. Guests include SHIMMER Champion Nicole Savoy, SHIMMER Team Champions Leva Bates and Phoenix of RISE Champion Delilah Doom, Shotzi Blackheart, Miranda Alize and more. Having attended Madusa’s podcast last December, I can personally vouch for these being a good time and a nice, much-needed step away from the body slams and overall intensity that generally come with live wrestling shows. If you want something different and a lighter atmosphere, check this one out.
IMPACT vs. Lucha Underground six-man tag match
The Sugar Mill, 1021 Convention Center Blvd.
Friday, April 6, 9 p.m.
When Impact Wrestling announced its New Orleans show, many, including myself, snickered at the slow ticket sales and the sheer audacity of running an event on what amounts to a pretty loaded weekend. But then the company announced it will be teaming up with Lucha Underground and this immediately became one of the most unpredictable events of not only the week or month, but the entire year to date. Jeremiah Crane vs. Eddie Edwards in an I Quit Match will be something to keep one’s, ahem, eyes on, but the match that has the Internet buzzing pits Impact’s DJZ, Andrew Everett and Dezmond Xavier against Lucha Underground’s Aerostar, Drago and King Cuerno. If you’re into spotfests, flips and a general lack of believing what you’re seeing, check this one out. Floor seats and general admission remain.
Great Sasuke vs. Joey Janela
Joey Janela’s Spring Break 2
Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd.
Friday, April 6, 11:55 p.m.
With his artfully crafted yet totally suitable for social media’s vignettes building up every match announced for Joey Janela’s Spring Break 2, the hype surrounding this show has been outstanding, leaving last year’s offering in the dust. This year’s program features a main event match-up pitting the affable Janela against one of the craziest wrestlers of his time and certifiable lunatic The Great Sasuke. Though he is older and showing his age, Sasuke has shown he still has some tricks up his sleeve that will surely play foil to the Bad Boy’s innovative offense and his own pattern of throwing his body at people to great effect. For a real mind trip to prepare yourself for this one, Google “Great Sasuke barrel” and follow your heart. Tickets available.
PCO vs. WALTER
Joey Janela’s Spring Break 2
Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd.
Friday, April 6, 11:55 p.m.
Originally I had this blurb about David Starr facing Mike Quackenbush in a dream match, but then I dreamed a better dream. On paper, this is one of the best wrestlers in the world right now versus a man in his 50s, but what most people don’t know about Quebecer Pierre is his crazy level only increases age his age does. You’d hate to see him at 70, trust me. The hype for this match has me thinking thoughts I never have experienced before when it comes to a wrestling match. Simply put, the intensity on display here is at record levels. I can watch PCO “cut the deck” all week long. As long as his mustachioed hype man is there, I think we have ourselves a classic contest in the making. Tickets available now.
Stone Cold at WrestleCon
WrestleCon Convention
Sheraton New Orleans, 500 Canal Street
Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin isn’t famous for his lengthy autograph sessions or meet-and-greet appearances and has, for the most part, kept to his ranch and his acting work since his departure from WWE in the mid-2000s. The fine folks at WrestleCon have bucked that trend this year with one of their biggest-ever “gets” in the form of the Texas Rattlesnake, who will be signing autographs and taking photos with fans on each Saturday and Sunday. While it costs a decent chunk of change to meet the Bionic Redneck, with select tickets still available, the opportunity to be flipped the bird by the man himself is just too tempting to pass up.
Pancakes & Piledrivers II looks to recapture the buzz
The Sugar Mill, 1021 Convention Center Blvd.
Saturday, April 7, 11 a.m.
Saturday, April 7, 11 a.m.
Last year’s inaugural Pancakes & Piledrivers event captured the hungry hearts of Orlando with a buzz-worthy card loaded with names familiar to American fans but maybe not so much fans from overseas and around the world. Plus, you know, delicious pancakes. Again focusing their attention on stars made in America, this year’s event looks to recapture the excitement with huge bouts like ACH vs. Trevor Lee for the AAW Heavyweight Championship, OI4K (OVE) vs. Joey Janela, Brian Cage and AR Fox, as well as a (likely) main event of Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero M vs. Jack Evans and Teddy Hart. Arrive early, grab a stack of flap jacks, and enjoy the action. There are few better ways to start the Saturday before ‘Mania than with some grub and graps. Floor seats and general admission still available.
SHIMMER 100
Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd.
Saturday, April 7, 4 p.m.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t include a women’s wrestling event on this list, specifically, this women’s wrestling event, the 100th in SHIMMER’s long, storied history. Headlined by SHIMMER Champion Nicole Savoy defending her title against Mercedes Martinez, other bouts on the card include Heart of SHIMMER Champion Shazza McKenzie defending against Tessa Blanchard, Tag Team Champions Leva Bates and Delilah Doom defending against LuFisto and Hudson Envy, Toni Storm vs. Nicole Matthews, and Madison Eagles vs. Deonna Purrazzo. Good seats still remain for this one.
Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa
NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Dr.
Saturday, April 7, 6:30 p.m.
This is, perhaps, the match of the weekend right here. With 10 months of build going into it, dating back to TakeOver: Chicago, and even more if you take into account all their time teaming, Gargano and Ciampa are poised to have a match of the year candidate at NXT’s biggest show of the year — tough competition on a card loaded with talent and including four championship matches. But if anybody could pull it off, all while telling the most complete story of any of the matches scheduled for early April, it’s Johnny Wrestling and the Blackheart. Oh, and it’s Unsanctioned. Tickets as of this writing are almost sold out, but the secondhand markets still have a number of seats available (for a cost, of course).
Cody Rhodes vs. Kenny Omega
ROH Supercard of Honor XII
Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave.
Saturday, April 7, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets started flying the second this match was announced, and with good reason. Outside of Gargano vs. Ciampa, the build for this one is the most excessive, with seeds being planted for it back in June or July of last year, if not further back than that. The two leaders of wrestling’s most popular stable go head to head in this one, and while nothing formally is on the line, it’s difficult to imagine anybody will be saying “Bullet Club is fine” after this one is all over. Both men have proven to deliver in big matches, perhaps one more than the other, but either way, this one will tear down the house and leave fans in attendance satisfied. Select seats still available.
WrestleMania 34
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 1500 Sugar Bowl Dr.
Mercedes-Benz Superdome, 1500 Sugar Bowl Dr.
Sunday, April 8, 4 p.m.
There are no two ways about it: This year’s WrestleMania live event is off the charts. A glut of dream matches, first-time match-ups and contests that will generate headlines for weeks, if not months, to come, this year’s show of shows will deliver no fewer than four, upward of six, main event bouts. That’s right, I said six main events. To recap, we have Undertaker vs. John Cena, Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon vs. Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey, Charlotte vs. Asuka, and a match likely to feature Daniel Bryan, Shane McMahon, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. While WrestleMania is a big deal year over year, they’ve really outdone themselves this time around. There is a reason an entire week of events was planned around this particular show. A damn good reason. Good seats still available.
WWN’s More Than Mania Wrap-up Party
The Republic NOLA, 828 S. Peters St.
Sunday, April 8, 11:55 p.m.
There ain’t no week like WrestleMania week because WrestleMania week don’t stop, and that’s never been more true this year, as WWN Live hosts its More Than Mania Wrap-up Party at Republic NOLA, 828 S. Peters St., just a mile away from ‘Mania itself. Hosted by WWN Champion Keith Lee, this event is purely a social gathering for those sticking around after the longest show of the weekend. For the cost of about one drink — $10 — the event will feature a live Kaiju Big Battel match, a live DJ, and appearances by WWN-contracted wrestlers. Who will show up? And after it’s all said and done around 4 in the morning, who will be ready for Monday in New Orleans? Tickets available now.
Raw after Mania
Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Dr.
Monday, April 9, 6:30 p.m.
For close to a decade now, maybe more, maybe less, the Raw after WrestleMania has been a staple in any sane person’s travel agenda. Loaded with returns, debuts, call-ups, heel turns, babyface turns, and even the final appearance of the Ultimate Warrior before his death, all in front of a molten hot crowd full of foreign people and die-hards, this is always the best Raw of the year. Nobody knows what’s going to happen, what does happen is memorable, and it’s super interactive from an audience standpoint. I would recommend this show to anybody. Premium tickets still available as of this writing.
Bourbon Street
All week long, damn it
Bourbon Street is loaded with bars, gift shops, fortune tellers and palm readers, and even voodoo merchants and spin doctors. Combined with several thousand wrestling fans in town for the Show of Shows and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a good time. I only did Bourbon the Saturday before WrestleMania XXX, but here is a list of things that happened to me, in no order: I bumped into Mojo Rawley and he drunkenly admitted to me the huge NFL contract he turned down was only half of what it was reported to be; wrestling fans literally wrestled on the streets, with wrestlers such as Tommy Dreamer and Al Snow cheering them on; I bought a voodoo skull bracelet that ended up being actual bad luck; and I still don’t recall how I got home some four years later. And that was just in four hours. Bring your cameras and a few extra dollars for a hand grenade, throw your best bud in the Boston Crab, and let the good times roll.