Wrestling returns to Mall of America this week
In 1995, when it was just three years old, Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., had already become a popular wintertime destination for roller coaster fanatics. In September of that year, however, the 5 million sq.-ft. property made a slamming impression on homes all across America.
The popularity of big-time wrestling had hit a peak and CNN founder Ted Turner decided to get into the business. He founded World Championship Wrestling and staged its very first nationally televised event--Monday Nitro--at MOA. Hulk Hogan, Sting, and Ric Flair went after each other in the mall’s rotunda and Triple Five’s signature site became a national brand.
On, Sept. 9, wrestling returns to the Huntington Bank Rotunda for the second straight year with Saturday Night Nitro, hosted by the Minneapolis-based company, F1RST Wrestling. Headliners will be the clown-faced Brothers of Funstruction and the male-female tag team Effie and Allie Katch.
Eighty-dollar Golden Circle seats are sold out, as are $55 Level 1 tickets. General admission standing tickets are still available at between$15 and $25. The event is being sponsored by Pepsi Zero Sugar.
Grappling aficionados without tickets, however, can go to Mall of America this Friday evening for a F1RST Wrestling Fan Fest to meet their favorite wrestlers, throw axes, and play vintage arcade games.
“Last year’s event was epic, truly a dream come true for fans of sports entertainment.” said Chris Grap, VP of experiential at Mall of America. “These fans are the some of the best we’ve ever had in the Rotunda. After witnessing firsthand the rapturous reception to last year’s event and how quickly it sold out, we knew we needed to do it again.”
New Jersey’s American Dream center--Triple Five’s other U.S. mega-mall--last year became home ice for the Metropolitan Riveters of the Premier Hockey Federation, a professional league for women players. Fans can buy rink-side seats for the games, but any mall visitors can watch the action from behind the seats or above them on the third-level concourse.