WrestleMania press conference electrifies at MetLife Stadium
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – In a historic press conference brimming with the excitement that only The Show of Shows can inspire, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, New Jersey Governor Chris
Christie, a slew of WWE Superstars and other important
dignitaries came together to officially announce the site of WrestleMania XXIX – MetLife Stadium, Sunday,
April 7, 2013. And in the midst of the celebration, Dwayne “The Rock”
Johnson made a startling announcement.
(PHOTOS FROM THE PRESS CONFERENCE: GALLERY 1 | GALLERY 2 )
“This is a great day for New Jersey," said Governor Christie. “Though WrestleMania has come to the state twice before, the world class venue that is MetLife Stadium will make it more different than ever before.”
“WrestleMania XXIX will be an extraordinary event, unlike anything you have ever seen,” explained WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, expounding on the vast history of The Showcase of the Immortals that began right across the river at The World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. “Quite simply, on April 7, 2013, WrestleMania comes home.”
Never one to be outdone, The Rock emerged to celebrate the monumental occasion like only he could, ultimately using the podium to make an extraordinary announcement of his own.
"My goal right now is to make WrestleMania XXVIII the greatest WrestleMania of all time," The Great One stated before breaking the news: "I will also come to WrestleMania XXIX, and I will electrify MetLife Stadium like never before." (WATCH)
Always eager to step up and support WWE in every way possible, The Rock's opponent, John Cena, also shared his thoughts on WrestleMania coming back to the great New York-New Jersey area.
"I can't think of a better way to follow up what we are billing as 'the biggest extravaganza in sports or entertainment history' on April 1 in Miami, than to come to MetLife Stadium," said the Cenation leader. “I’m glad you don’t have a roof on this building, because we sure would blow it off.”
Asked in a post-press conference interview about the possibility of inclement weather during that time of year in a northeast city, the 12-time World Champion indicated that, personally, he's hoping it snows. "That way, WrestleMania can have a Lambeau Field experience," Cena said with a smile.
The King of Kings, Triple H, was also on hand for the press conference. After praising present WWE Superstars for their involvement with the community – Sheamus for WWE's "be a STAR" anti-bullying campaign, Mark Henry for the WrestleMania Reading Challenge program and The Bella Twins for their tireless support of our Armed Forces – The Game presented honorary WWE Championship Titles to New York Jets owner & CEO Woody Johnson and John Mara, President and CEO of the Super Bowl Champion New York Football Giants.
A week-long celebration, WrestleMania has generated more than $200 million in cumulative economic impact for its past four host regions. Bringing WrestleMania to MetLife Stadium in 2013 is expected to generate more than $62 million in revenues for the New York City area and northern New Jersey suburbs.
“There is nothing quite like WrestleMania,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company, the official marketing and tourism organization of New York City. “We are very much looking forward to it.”
In addition to the unparalleled spectacular that is The Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania Week will play host to a number of activities that will be shared between the New York-New Jersey area, including the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony; WrestleMania Axxess, WWE’s interactive fan festival; Monday Night Raw; the finals of the WrestleMania Reading Challenge; a Make-A-Wish Pizza Party hosted by John Cena and many other events.
The Showcase of the Immortals will be televised in more than 100 countries and 30 languages. In 2011, a sold-out crowd of 71,617 fans from all 50 states and 30 countries converged on the Georgia Dome for WrestleMania XXVII. This year's WrestleMania XXVIII on Sunday, April 1 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Fla., will feature the highly-anticipated showdown between John Cena and The Rock. Now, with the official announcement of WrestleMania XXIX coming to MetLife Stadium and the New York-New Jersey area, there is no telling what awaits the WWE Universe in the year to come.
WWE Shows Latest Results
Raw results, Sept. 30, 2024: Rollins returns to cost Reed the Last Monster Standing Match against Strowman as the ring collapses
Full ResultsSmackDown results, Oct. 4, 2024: The Bloodline survive a brutal WWE Tag Team Title Triple Threat Ladder Match en route to WWE Bad Blood
Full ResultsWWE NXT results, Oct. 1, 2024: WHOOP THAT TRICK! Trick Williams wins back the NXT Title from Ethan Page on the CW Premiere
Full Results