Greetings! Drew here for
another installment of my Top Ten Countdown. I've been busy lately
as far as my personal life, so for now this column won't be weekly.
I will however chime in and express my opinion as far as news and
current events in Orlando go. Speaking of current events in Orlando,
you may or may not be aware, but this weekend is a big one. WWE WrestleMania
hits the Citrus Bowl in Orlando on Sunday night. WrestleMania doesn't
come alone either. Tons of events surround the Mecca of sports entertainment.
So this week I'm going to give you the top ten events going on this
WrestleMania weekend.
10. ROH
WWE isn't the
only wrestling going on in Orlando this weekend. In fact, Orlando
is wrestling central this weekend. The Orlando Downtown Recreation
complex will be home to Ring of Honor wrestling on Friday and Saturday.
I know many people aren't too sure of what Ring of Honor is exactly,
but it is an independent company who many successful wrestlers such
as CM Punk got a start in the business. Tickets are available the
nights of the show at the door. Friday and Saturday nights, 7:30pm.
9. Meet Batista
Batista will
be signing autographs of his new book, "Batista Unleashed"
at the Virgin Megastore in Downtown Disney. Saturday, 10:30am-12:30pm.
8. TNA
Like I said,
WWE isn't the only promotion this weekend. TNA Wrestling. TNA will
be rocking Universal Orlando for three shows this weekend, starting
tonight, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Tickets are free of charge.
Call the Impact! hotline at (407) 224-6000 for information on where
to go if interested.
7. THQ Smackdown!
vs. Raw 2008 Tournament
Taking place
at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney this event will have a tournament
of the popular video game, feature many WWE superstars as well as
a performance by the band P.O.D. The event costs $15 dollars to attend.
Thursday, 7:30pm.
6. WrestleMania
Rocks the Block
A block party
in Downtown Orlando. Features live music, food, drink, and appearances
by WWE superstars and legends. Cover fee is $5.00. Thursday, 7pm.
5. Monday
Night Raw
Don't miss the
fallout from WrestleMania 24 as WWE Raw hits the Amway Arena. The
show should be a good one. Who will be the WWE Champion? Did Edge
make it out of the Citrus Bowl alive? Who's Mr. Money in the Bank?
These are always great shows. Monday, 7:30pm.
4. Bacon,
Bagels & Biceps Brunch
A WrestleMania
Morning Tradition for the benefit of the David Maus Foundation and
Make-A-Wish. Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando.
Includes full brunch and Q&A with WWE Superstars. Tickets are
$125. Sunday, 10am.
3. WrestleMania
Fan Axxess Tour
Taking place
all over Orlando this weekend. The event will be at Universal Studios
all weekend and on Sunday will be at Thunder Field across from the
Citrus Bowl. Fan Axxess is a chance to come out and get autographs,
play WWE games, interact with fans, see all types of used apparel
by superstars and create your own WWE ring entrance. The event is
free (for Universal guests when at Universal and WrestleMania ticket
holders when at Thunder Field) and is definitely a fun time for a
WWE fan. All weekend long. Check WWE.com for specifics.
2. Hall of
Fame ceremony
Come and honor
one of the all time greats as the Nature Boy Ric Flair is inducted
into the WWE Hall of Fame at the Amway Arena. Flair, the 16 time World
Champion is probably one of the greatest personalities to ever step
in the squared circle. Other notable inductees are The Rock's father
and grandfather, Rocky Johnson and Peter Maivia, both of whom are
being inducted by the Rock, and Mae Young. Saturday night.
1. Enjoy The
Show
Whether you are
at the Citrus Bowl or at home on the couch, WrestleMania is going
to be a fantastic event. The crowd will be pumped and the show has
some top notch matches. I myself am looking forward to the John Cena/Randy
Orton/HHH triple threat main event and of course the Money in the
Bank ladder match. If you want to go and don't have tickets, don't
be discouraged. There are tons of tickets still available via Ticketmaster
and even cheaper tickets on StubHub. (Holy 8 dollar tickets, Batman.).
It also seems like many people are discouraged because the Citrus
Bowl is in a "bad area". Well from what I see, there will
be shuttles from the Amway arena taking people to the Bowl as you
park at the arena. If you're that concerned, that's a good option.
Don't miss you're opportunity to go to WrestleMania. I went a few
years ago to WrestleMania XX, and while the show wasn't a great one,
I still enjoyed it. It's an experience that you can talk about for
a lifetime.