It has happened time and time again.
It happened in 2005. And it’s happening in 2010.
Somebody asks me, “what are you gonna be doing in spring?”
And I tell them, “I’m going to WrestleMania.”
And then, one of four responses usually happens:
(1) “Are you serious?”
(2) “What?!”
(3) “You still watch that ****?”
(4) Laughter. Just laughter.
I can understand the hilarity of it, but only for a moment. I’d give up a seat on the 50-yard line at a Super Bowl for the worst seat at WrestleMania. It means that much to me. Five years ago, the event took place in my backyard at the Staples Center. My friend Andrew and I sat amongst 20,193 fans, cheering on Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, and Hulk Hogan. This time around, Andrew and I will be boarding planes to Phoenix to be part of 70,000 strong.
I cannot even begin to express how excited I am for this. Up until this week, the whole idea of taking off from work and actually flying for WrestleMania XXVI seemed too surreal. Heck, the fact Andrew and I are even going to a second Mania is extraordinary in its own right. There’s just something about being there that makes all the trouble worthwhile. Ten years ago, The Rock used to rant about the “electricity in the air” at Mania. It may sound silly on TV, but the second you enter the venue with the enormous entrance stage and the ring, you immediately realize The Rock was right.
It’s funny. Andrew and I actually went about this whole WrestleMania trip extremely nonchalantly. We didn’t buy our tickets or book flights until weeks after the event went on sale in November. Truth be told, the buildup for Mania wasn’t going so strongly at the time. Then, January 4th happened, and our favorite wrestler, Bret Hart, returned to the company, much to our shock. Despite suffering a severe concussion and a stroke, he will be at Mania to wrestle. Andrew and I do not care if the match is decent or not. The mere fact Hart will be there is reason enough to go.
So in one week’s time, I will be sitting in the University of Phoenix Stadium right along the 50-yard line. I will turn to Andrew and probably say some lame déjà vu joke that will not go over well. I will lose my voice cheering and booing everybody. I will take in the hype and hysterics of it all, and I will watch each match with great appreciation for the performers in the ring.
I will enjoy WrestleMania and have the time of my life. Again.
2 comments, questions, doubts...:
i'm waiting for the big update! also, my boss didn't believe that i actually went until i came back holding my WM drawstring bag, wearing a bret hart shirt. she looked at the bag and said "oh my god, did you actually go?" i said "yes, that's why i took vacation" and she said "i thought you were just joking!"
Hahahaha, you're gonna get your update in several parts, starting with the one I just posted. Yeah, everybody thought I was joking until I went to work in my WM T-shirt. Let's face it, people will never understand why we go.
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