The prospect of WrestleMania being hosted outside of the United States and Canada has generated significant buzz among WWE fans and officials alike. The excitement began with John Cena’s enthusiastic plea at Money in the Bank 2023, urging for the grand spectacle to be held in London. This idea gained further traction when London Mayor Sadiq Khan included it in his election campaign, and WWE executive Triple H expressed openness to the possibility. Despite the growing anticipation, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm for a London-based WrestleMania.
Grayson Waller’s Strong Opposition to London WrestleMania
WWE Tag Team Champion Grayson Waller is one of the most outspoken critics of this concept. In an open interview with The Daily Star, Waller expressed his opposition to having WrestleMania held in London. Waller described the city as “depressing” and said he would rather have the event in his home country, Australia.
A Political Move?
Waller’s doubts regarding a London WrestleMania are partially due to his opinion on Mayor Sadiq Khan’s intentions. I’m not someone who is interested in politics, I don’t really keep up with political news, especially when it comes to other countries. Waller suggested that Khan’s promise to help his brother was possibly more about gaining votes than actual genuine intent, implying that the brother may have been facing challenges during re-election.
London’s Appeal in Question
Waller’s critique of London was straightforward and without remorse. I feel like having WrestleMania in London is a great concept, but it’s not really something I’m interested in, and I don’t believe most wrestlers are either. I have visited London. It’s a gloomy city, and I believe a WrestleMania event in London would be quite a bleak WrestleMania. He expressed a lack of desire for that. This firm position underscores his own unhappiness with the city, which is distinctly different from the excitement displayed by numerous supporters and authorities.
“It’s A Depressing Place”: WWE Star Has No Interest In London Hosting WrestleMania https://t.co/TK4kK0t2rI
— Inside The Ropes (@Inside_TheRopes) May 30, 2024
The Case for Australia
Waller’s desire for an Australian WrestleMania stems from his national pride and belief that it would provide a more suitable atmosphere for the event. He confidently stated that WrestleMania in Australia will be superior, emphasizing his conviction that his home country will offer a livelier and more attractive location for WWE’s main event.
Fans’ Reactions and Broader Implications
Waller’s comments have sparked a variety of reactions from the WWE universe. Some fans support his view, agreeing that Australia would be an exciting and fresh location for WrestleMania. Others, however, see the potential in a London WrestleMania, pointing to the city’s rich history and the passionate UK fanbase as reasons why it could be a memorable event.
WWE’s Global Expansion Plans
WWE’s desire to hold WrestleMania events in locations beyond North America fits with its larger plan for expanding worldwide. The company has been actively expanding into new markets and growing its global footprint through initiatives such as participating in Saudi Arabia shows and the UK’s NXT brand. A WrestleMania event in London would mark a major achievement in these endeavors, possibly attracting a large worldwide audience and strengthening WWE’s presence internationally.
London as a Potential WrestleMania Host
Although Waller’s criticism was severe, London possesses numerous qualities that qualify it as a suitable contender for hosting WrestleMania. The city is proud of its outstanding facilities such as Wembley Stadium, with a capacity of more than 90,000 seats, making it perfect for large-scale events. Furthermore, London’s extensive cultural background and position as an international hub would offer an engaging setting for the show and related activities.
Australia’s Bid for WrestleMania
As the concept of a WrestleMania event in London becomes more popular, Australia is also being seen as a strong potential location. The nation boasts an expanding wrestling supporter community and has effectively organized major WWE shows like WWE Super Show-Down in 2018 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. An Australian WrestleMania has the potential to leverage this excitement and offer a unique, attractive location for fans from all over the globe.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
In the end, the choice of venue for WrestleMania requires finding a balance between upholding tradition and embracing new ideas. Although WrestleMania has historically been held in the United States, WWE’s push for growth and innovation could result in a new, international location being chosen for the event. Whether it’s in London, Australia, or any other major city remains unknown, but the discussion highlights the worldwide popularity and changing landscape of professional wrestling.
The Future of WrestleMania
As WWE’s global presence grows, the exciting potential of holding WrestleMania in a location other than the United States and Canada is becoming more appealing. Grayson Waller’s remarks showcase the varying views in the wrestling community about the ideal venue for WWE’s main event, despite being critical of London. No matter if WrestleMania takes place in London, Australia, or any other global location, one thing is for sure: the event will keep captivating and entertaining fans worldwide, demonstrating the widespread appeal of professional wrestling.
