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What is so great about WrestleMania is that it is always going to be a showcase on a grand stage. Celebrities of all kinds make appearances. Celebrities like Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Snoop Dogg, Pamela Anderson, Liberace, Muhammad Ali,Pete Rose, Alex Rodriguez, Cyndi Lauper and many more have appeared at WWE's biggest event. Why is this so important?
I love the fact that so many people bash WWE because it is "fake." Is the money fake? Is the profit fake? All that is fake is the outcome of matches. The physicality is real and the training is extremely intense. I have never wrestled a match in my life, but the dedication that is put in by these men and women are second to none. They have NO offseason. They are seen on television over 150 times a year. WrestleMania is their Super Bowl, their opportunity to create a legacy in themselves.
So, How has WrestleMania evolved the most over the years? The fans should thank the production team. Whether it is the music, the videos or the lighting that you see light up a landscape, WWE has so many individuals working for weeks on end to make this a sight that needs to be seen. They do not get enough credit. The superstars get the credit, but someone has to make them look good. I give a much deserved applause of the men and women who work behind the scenes.
I had the opportunity to spend a few hours with Doug Getts, who was a Technical Director for WWE for many years. For those of you who are not sure what that means, he was in charge of everything that was seen on your screen. From one camera angle to the next and one graphic to the other, Getts was the man calling the plays. Yes, Vince is in his ear at times, but Getts ran the ship for many events. Doug passed away earlier this year and will be truly missed. When I was at the Royal Rumble in St. Louis a few years ago, I met Doug in the lobby of our hotel and had a few drinks with him. I can remember the strong and sweet sensation of Grand Marnier hitting my lips. Doug crushed it down and did not seem phased by it. After a few hours of talking with him, Drew McIntyre and some other guys in the business, Doug offered me a chance to see everything backstage in WWE.
Doug gave me an exclusive tour in the production trucks. I was able to see every camera and every button. I was in awe because WWE has come such a long way. I recall reading an interview years ago with Vince McMahon talking about having the bare minimal to run WrestleMania I. His biggest hope was to break even. Now, WWE profits millions of dollars in revenue, marketing and licensing. That is truly an incredible evolution to WrestleMania.
Enjoy the matches. Enjoy the talent. Please take a second to thank everyone that you do NOT see on camera for all of the hard work and dedication that they do to make us enjoy the show. WWE is a show. Respect the show and respect who makes the show look so good.
Part 3 of this 5 part piece will cover the "Legends of WrestleMania," and will go live on Friday at 3pm. You can check out Part 1 of the series at this link.
