The following is a list of professional wrestling attendance records in the United States. The list is dominated by the American professional wrestling promotion World Wrestling Entertainment which has controlled the industry in North America since 2002. As the World Wrestling Federation, it became the first national promotion in the U.S. during the 1980s wrestling boom. The National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling were both main competitors to the WWF during the 1980s and 1990s, however, all of their events were surpassed by the WWE by the early 2000s.
According to this list, 17 events are from WWE's flagship WrestleMania pay-per-view (PPV) event, which since 2007's WrestleMania 23 has been held exclusively in stadiums that typically have a seating capacity of at least 70,000 people or more. Only three of the attendances listed are non-WWE events, with two WCW Monday Nitro episodes being the only house show events on the list. There are only two attendance records remaining from the "Territory-era" (1940s-1980s) and one from the "Pioneer-era" (1900s-1940s). All but eleven of the events have been held in the Southern United States, while three have been held on the East Coast (Massachusetts and New Jersey), four in the Midwest (Indiana, Michigan and Ohio), two in the Southwest (Arizona) and two on the West Coast of the United States (California and Washington).
No. | Promoter | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | —
|
Ernest Roeber vs. Yussuf the Terrible Turk March 26, 1898 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 10,000 | Ernest Roeber vs. Yussuf the Terrible Turk | [39][40] |
2. | —
|
Ernest Roeber vs. Tom Jenkins July 4, 1899 |
Cleveland, Ohio | League Park | 7,000 | Ernest Roeber vs. Tom Jenkins | [39][41][42] |
3. | —
|
Evan "Strangler" Lewis vs. Yussuf the Terrible Turk June 20, 1898 |
Chicago, Illinois | Tattersall's | 6,000+[Note 1] | Evan "Strangler" Lewis vs. Yussuf the Terrible Turk in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Catch-as-Catch-Can Championship | [39][43] |
4. | —
|
James H. McLaughlin vs. James Owens December 27, 1876 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Music Hall | 4,000 | James H. McLaughlin (c) vs. James Owens for the American Collar & Elbow Championship | [44][45] |
—
|
William Muldoon vs. Theobaud Bauer January 19, 1880 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | William Muldoon vs. Theobaud Bauer in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [46][47] | ||
—
|
Ernest Roeber vs. Yussuf the Terrible Turk April 30, 1898 |
New York City, New York | Metropolitan Riding Academy | Ernest Roeber vs. Yussuf the Terrible Turk | [48][49] | ||
5. | —
|
William Miller vs. Andre Christol November 9, 1875 |
New York City, New York | Grand Opera House | 3,000 | William Miller vs. Andre Christol | [50] |
—
|
Dennis Gallagher vs. Hugh Leonard April 21, 1890 |
Buffalo, New York | Music Hall | Dennis Gallagher vs. Hugh Leonard in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [51] | ||
—
|
Farmer Burns vs. Tom Jenkins January 25, 1898 |
Cleveland, Ohio | Star Theater | Farmer Burns vs. Tom Jenkins in a Best 3-out-of-5 Falls match | |||
6. | —
|
John McMahon vs. Prof. William Miller May 12, 1879 |
New York City, New York | Gilmore's Garden | 2,000 | John McMahon vs. Prof. William Miller in a Catch-as-Catch-Can match | |
—
|
William Muldoon vs. Prof. William Miller March 23, 1880 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | William Muldoon vs. Prof. William Miller | [52] | ||
—
|
William Muldoon vs. Clarence Whistler January 26, 1881 |
New York City, New York | Terrace Garden Theater | William Muldoon vs. Clarence Whistler in a Graeco-Roman match | [53] | ||
7. | —
|
William Muldoon vs. Carl Abs May 18, 1885 |
New York City, New York | Irving Hall | 1,600 | William Muldoon vs. Carl Abs for the World Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Championship | |
8. | —
|
Farmer Burns vs. Dan McLeod October 26, 1897 |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Grand Opera House | 1,500 | Farmer Burns (c) vs. Dan McLeod for the American Mixed-Style Heavyweight Championship | [54] |
9. | —
|
Prof. William Miller vs. Theobald Bauer February 27, 1880 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Horticultural Hall | 1,100 | Prof. William Miller vs. Theobald Bauer in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | |
10. | —
|
Prof. William Miller vs. Andre Christol June 15, 1877 |
New York City, New York | Terrace Garden Theater | 1,000 | Prof. William Miller vs. Andre Christol | |
—
|
Jimmy Faulkner vs. Hugh Leonard February 21, 1890 |
Buffalo, New York | Music Hall | Jimmy Faulkner vs. Hugh Leonard in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [55] | ||
—
|
Farmer Burns vs. W.L. Malone December 29, 1896 |
Chicago, Illinois | Madison Street Natorium | Farmer Burns vs. W.L. Malone in a Best 3-out-of-5 Falls match | [56] |
No. | Promoter | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | —
|
Bech Olsen vs. Ernest Roeber March 21, 1900 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 12,000 | Ernest Roeber (c-AC) vs. Bech Olsen (c-WC) in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match in a Champion vs. Champion match for the American Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Championship and the World Graeco-Roman Heavyweight Championship | [57] |
2. | —
|
Frank Gotch vs. Raoul de Rouen March 25, 1909 |
Kansas City, Missouri | Convention Hall | 11,000 | Frank Gotch (c) vs. Raoul de Rouen in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship | [58] |
3. | —
|
Frank Gotch vs. Yussiff Mahmout April 14, 1909 |
Chicago, Illinois | Dexter Park Pavilion | 10,000 | Frank Gotch (c) vs. Yussiff Mahmout in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship | [59] |
—
|
Frank Gotch vs. Giovanni Raicevich November 9, 1909 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Coliseum | Frank Gotch (c) vs. Giovanni Raicevich in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship | [59] | ||
4. | —
|
Tom Jenkins vs. Ernest Roeber April 8, 1901 |
East St. Louis, Missouri | Exhibition Coliseum | 8,000 | Tom Jenkins vs. Ernest Roeber in a "mixed styles" Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [60] |
—
|
Rudy Santell vs. Harry Lescher August 31, 1904 |
Trenton, New Jersey | Mercer Pleasure Park | Rudy Santell vs. Harry Lescher | [61] | ||
—
|
Fred Beell vs. Frank Gotch December 17, 1906 |
Kansas City, Missouri | Convention Hall | Fred Beell (c) vs. Frank Gotch in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the American Heavyweight Championship | [62] | ||
W.W. Wittig | George Hackenschmidt vs. Frank Gotch April 3, 1908 |
Chicago, Illinois | Dexter Park Pavilion | George Hackenschmidt (c) vs. Frank Gotch for the American Mixed-Style (Freestyle) Heavyweight Championship | [63] | ||
5. | —
|
Raoul de Rouen vs. Yussiff Mahmout January 19, 1909 |
Kansas City, Missouri | Convention Hall | 7,000 | Raoul de Rouen vs. Yussiff Mahmout in a Handicap match | [59] |
6. | —
|
George Bothner vs. Katsuguma Higashi April 6, 1905 |
New York City, New York | Grand Central Palace | 6,000 | George Bothner vs. Katsuguma Higashi in a Wrestler vs. Jujutsuka match | [64] |
—
|
Tom Jenkins vs. Frank Gotch May 23, 1906 |
Kansas City, Missouri | Convention Hall | Tom Jenkins (c) vs. Frank Gotch in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the American Heavyweight Championship | [65] | ||
7. | —
|
Frank Gotch vs. Dr. B. F. Roller April 27, 1909 |
Kansas City, Missouri | Convention Hall | 5,500 | Frank Gotch (c) vs. Dr. B. F. Roller in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Championship | [66] |
8. | —
|
Ernest Roeber vs. Paul Pons February 6, 1901 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 5,000 | Ernest Roeber vs. Paul Pons | [67] |
—
|
Tom Jenkins vs. Dan McLeod November 7, 1901 |
Cleveland, Ohio | Central Armory | Tom Jenkins vs. Dan McLeod for the American Heavyweight Championship | [68] | ||
—
|
John Piening vs. Harald Egeberg January 18, 1905 |
New York City, New York | Grand Central Palace | John Piening vs. Harald Egeberg | [64] | ||
—
|
John Rooney vs. Tom Sharkey April 26, 1906 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Coliseum | John Rooney vs. Tom Sharkey in a Handicap match | [69] | ||
—
|
Frank Gotch vs. John Rooney March 14, 1907 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Coliseum | Frank Gotch (c) vs. John Rooney in a Best 2 out of 3 Falls match for the American Heavyweight Championship | [70] | ||
—
|
Frank Gotch vs. Jess Reimer May 3, 1909 |
Des Moines, Iowa | Des Moines Auditorium | Frank Gotch (c) vs. Jess Reimer in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Championship with special referee Dr. B. F. Roller | [71] | ||
9. | —
|
Stanislaus Zbyszko vs. Leo Pardello November 29, 1909 |
Chicago, Illinois | Riverside Rink | 4,500 | Stanislaus Zbyszko vs. Leo Pardello in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [59] |
10. | —
|
Stanislaus Zbyszko vs. Tom Winkelhoefer, John Eberly and Leon Dumont November 19, 1909 |
Chicago, Illinois | Dexter Park Pavilion | 4,100 | Stanislaus Zbyszko vs. Tom Winkelhoefer, John Eberly and Leon Dumont in a 3 on 1 Handicap match | [59] |
No. | Promoter | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | —
|
Frank Gotch vs. George Hackenschmidt September 4, 1911 |
Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park | 30,000 | Frank Gotch (c) vs. George Hackenschmidt in a Best 2 out of 3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Championship | [72] |
2. | —
|
Ed Lewis vs. Joe Stecher July 4, 1916 |
Omaha, Nebraska | Gene Melady Stadium | 18,000 | Ed "Strangler" Lewis vs. Joe Stecher | [73] |
3. | —
|
Frank Gotch vs. Georg Lurich April 1, 1913 |
Kansas City, Missouri | Convention Hall | 14,000 | Frank Gotch (c) vs. Georg Lurich in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship | [74] |
4. | —
|
Ad Santel vs. Joe Stecher February 22, 1917 |
San Francisco, California | Civic Auditorium | 12,000 | Ad Santel (PC) vs. Joe Stecher (WC) in a Champion vs. Champion Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the Pacific Coast Heavyweight Championship and World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship | [75] |
5. | —
|
Frank Gotch vs. Stanislaus Zbyszko June 1, 1910 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Coliseum | 10,000 | Frank Gotch (c) vs. Stanislaus Zbyszko in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Championship | [76] |
—
|
Frank Gotch vs. Leo Pardello May 1, 1917 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Coliseum | Frank Gotch vs. Leo Pardello | [77] | ||
—
|
Wladek Zbyszko vs. John Olin January 29, 1918 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | Wladek Zbyszko (c) vs. John Olin for the American Heavyweight Championship | [78] | ||
Jack Curley | Joe Stecher vs. Wladek Zbyszko December 8, 1919 |
New York City, New York | 71st Regiment Armory | Joe Stecher (c) vs. Wladek Zbyszko for the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship | [79] | ||
6. | —
|
Stanislaus Zbyszko vs. Yussiff Mahmout February 14, 1910 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Coliseum | 8,000 | Stanislaus Zbyszko vs. Yussiff Mahmout | [80] |
—
|
Joe Stecher vs. Charley Peters February 9, 1917 |
Omaha, Nebraska | Civic Auditorium | Joe Stecher vs. Charley Peters | [81] | ||
7. | —
|
Ed Lewis vs. Ad Santel December 12, 1916 |
San Francisco, California | Civic Auditorium | 7,500 | Ed "Strangler" Lewis vs. Ad Santel | [82] |
8. | —
|
John Olin vs. Ed Lewis May 2, 1917 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Coliseum | 7,000 | John Olin (c) vs. Ed "Strangler" Lewis for the World Heavyweight Championship | [83] |
9. | —
|
Stanislaus Zbyszko vs. Constant Le Marin April 23, 1913 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Coliseum | 6,500 | Stanislaus Zbyszko vs. Constant Le Marin in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [84] |
10. | —
|
Chris Jordan vs. Mike Yokel October 27, 1913 |
Salt Lake City, Utah | Auditorium | 6,000 | Chris Jordan (c) vs. Mike Yokel in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Middleweight Championship | [85] |
Samuel Rachmann | International Graeco-Roman Wrestling Tournament (Day 1) May 19, 1915 |
New York City, New York | Manhattan Opera House | 50-man tournament | [86] | ||
—
|
Wladek Zbyszko vs. Ed "Strangler" Lewis April 28, 1919 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Coliseum | Wladek Zbyszko vs. Ed "Strangler" Lewis | [87] |
No. | Promoter | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Aurelio Fabiani | Dick Shikat vs. Jim Londos August 23, 1929 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Municipal Stadium | 30,000 | Dick Shikat vs. Jim Londos for the New York State Athletic Commission World Heavyweight Championship | [88] |
2. | Paul Bowser | Gus Sonnenberg vs. Ed Lewis July 9, 1929 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Fenway Park | 25,000 | Gus Sonnenberg (c) vs. Ed "Strangler" Lewis in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship | [89] |
3. | Paul Bowser | Ed Lewis vs. Gus Sonnenberg January 4, 1929 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Boston Garden | 20,000 | Ed "Strangler" Lewis (c) vs. Gus Sonnenberg for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship | [89] |
4. | Paul Bowser | Gus Sonnenberg vs. Joe Malcewicz March 15, 1929 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Boston Garden | 18,000 | Gus Sonnenberg (c) vs. Joe Malcewicz in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship | [89] |
5. | Tom Packs | Stanislaus Zbyszko vs. Joe Stecher May 30, 1925 |
St. Louis, Missouri | University Stadium | 13,500 | Stanislaus Zbyszko (c) vs. Joe Stecher in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship | [90] |
6. | William Wellman | Stanislaus Zbyszko vs. Earl Caddock February 6, 1922 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 12,000 | Stanislaus Zbyszko (c) vs. Earl Caddock in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Championship | [91] |
—
|
Wayne Munn vs. Stanislaus Zbyszko February 11, 1925 |
Kansas City, Missouri | Convention Hall | Wayne Munn (c) vs. Stanislaus Zbyszko in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Championship | [92] | ||
Floyd Fltzsimmons | Ed Lewis vs. Wayne Munn May 30, 1925 |
Michigan City, Indiana | Sky Blue Arena | Ed "Strangler" Lewis vs. Wayne Munn in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [93] | ||
Tom Packs | Joe Stecher vs. Jim Londos February 10, 1926 |
St. Louis, Missouri | St. Louis Coliseum | Joe Stecher (c) vs. Jim Londos in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Championship | [94] | ||
Ray Fabiani | Joe Stecher vs. George Calza August 2, 1927 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Baker Bowl | Joe Stecher (c) vs. George Calza for the World Heavyweight Championship | [95] | ||
Paul Bowser | Ed Lewis vs. Gus Sonnenberg June 29, 1928 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Boston Arena | Ed "Strangler" Lewis (c) vs. Gus Sonnenberg for the World Heavyweight Championship | [96] | ||
7. | Jack Curley | Ed Lewis vs. Earl Caddock March 15, 1920 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 11,000 | Ed "Strangler" Lewis vs. Earl Caddock | [97] |
Lou Daro | Gus Sonnenberg vs. Ed Lewis October 23, 1929 |
Los Angeles, California | Grand Olympic Auditorium | Gus Sonnenberg (c) vs. Ed "Strangler" Lewis in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship | [98] | ||
Lou Daro | Gus Sonnenberg vs. Ed Lewis November 13, 1929 |
Los Angeles, California | Grand Olympic Auditorium | Gus Sonnenberg (c) vs. Ed "Strangler" Lewis in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship | [99] | ||
8. | Lou Daro | Gus Sonnenberg vs. Joe Malcewicz July 24, 1929 |
Los Angeles, California | Grand Olympic Auditorium | 10,700 | Gus Sonnenberg (c) vs. Joe Malcewicz in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship | [100] |
9. | —
|
Ed Lewis vs. Wayne Munn January 3, 1927 |
Chicago, Illinois | 10,500 | Ed "Strangler" Lewis vs. Wayne Munn in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [101] | |
10. | Lou Daro | Gus Sonnenberg vs. Joe Stecher April 7, 1926 |
Los Angeles, California | Grand Olympic Auditorium | 10,400 | Joe Stecher (c) vs. George Kotsonaros for the World Heavyweight Championship | [100] |
Lou Daro | Gus Sonnenberg vs. Joe Stecher September 18, 1929 |
Los Angeles, California | Grand Olympic Auditorium | Gus Sonnenberg (c) vs. Joe Stecher in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship | [96] |
No. | Promoter | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Paul Bowser | Ed Don George vs. Danno O'Mahoney July 30, 1935 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Braves Field | 40,000 | Ed Don George (AWA) vs. Danno O'Mahoney (WC) in a unification match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship and World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship | [34] |
2. | Lou Daro | Jim Londos vs. Man Mountain Dean October 10, 1934 |
Los Angeles, California | Grand Olympic Auditorium | 38,756 | Jim Londos (c) vs. Man Mountain Dean in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the World Heavyweight Championship (Los Angeles-Version) | [102] |
3. | Ed White | Jim Londos vs. Ed Lewis September 20, 1934 |
Chicago, Illinois | Wrigley Field | 35,265 | Jim Londos (c) vs. Ed "Strangler" Lewis for the World Heavyweight Championship | [103] |
4. | Paul Bowser | Henri Deglane vs. Gus Sonnenberg July 30, 1931 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Braves Field | 30,000 | Henri Deglane (c) vs. Gus Sonnenberg in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship | [104] |
Paul Bowser | Ed Don George vs. Danno O'Mahoney July 18, 1934 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Fenway Park | Ed Don George (AWA) vs. Danno O'Mahoney (WC) in a unification match for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship and World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship | [105] | ||
Paul Bowser | Jim Londos vs. Danno O'Mahoney June 27, 1935 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Fenway Park | Jim Londos vs. Danno O'Mahoney for the World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship | [106] | ||
5. | Jack Curley | Ed Lewis vs. Dick Shikat June 9, 1932 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden Bowl | 25,000 | Ed "Strangler" Lewis vs. Dick Shikat | [107] |
Jack Curley | Jim Browning vs. Jim Londos June 25, 1934 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden Bowl | Jim Browning (c) vs. Jim Londos for the NYSAC World Heavyweight Championship | [107] | ||
6. | Jack Curley | Jim Londos vs. Jim McMillen January 26, 1931 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 22,200 | Jim Londos (c) vs. Jim McMillen for the NYSAC World Heavyweight Championship | [108] |
7. | Paul Bowser | Jim Browning vs. Stanley Sitkowski June 29, 1932 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Braves Field | 22,197 | Jim Browning vs. Stanley Sitkowski | |
8. | Jack Curley | Jim Londos vs. Ferenc Holuban December 29, 1930 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 22,000 | Jim Londos (c) vs. Ferenc Holuban for the NYSAC World Heavyweight Championship | [109] |
Paul Bowser | Henri Deglane vs. Gus Sonnenberg January 13, 1933 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Boston Garden | Henri Deglane (c) vs. Gus Sonnenberg for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship | [110] | ||
9. | Jack Curley | Jim Londos vs. Ray Steele June 29, 1931 |
New York City, New York | Yankee Stadium | 21,000 | Jim Londos (c) vs. Ray Steele for the NYSAC World Heavyweight Championship | [107] |
—
|
Jim McMillen vs. Ruffy Silverstein November 16, 1937 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Stadium | Jim McMillen (c) vs. Ruffy Silverstein for the Illinois Heavyweight Championship | [111] | ||
10. | —
|
Jim Londos vs. Joe Savoldi January 31, 1934 |
Chicago, Illinois | Chicago Stadium | 20,200 | Jim Londos (c) vs. Joe Savoldi for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [112] |
No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | MBA | Antonino Rocca vs. Gene Stanlee December 12, 1949 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 17,854 | Antonino Rocca vs. Gene Stanlee | [113] |
2. | TPSE | Bill Longson vs. Buddy Rogers April 12, 1946 |
St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 17,621 | Bill Longson (c) vs. Buddy Rogers for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [114] |
3. | TPSE | Bill Longson vs. Lou Thesz January 23, 1947 |
St. Louis, Missouri | St. Louis Arena | 15,180 | Bill Longson (c) vs. Lou Thesz for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [115] |
4. | GLAC | Maurice Tillet vs. Wladyslaw Talun May 25, 1942 |
Buffalo, New York | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium | 14,220 | Maurice Tillet vs. Wladyslaw Talun | [116] |
5. | TPSE | Bill Longson vs. Wladyslaw Talun January 26, 1945 |
St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 13,879 | Bill Longson vs. Wladyslaw Talun | [117] |
6. | TPSE | Bill Longson vs. Wladyslaw Talun February 23, 1945 |
St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 13,807 | Bill Longson (c) vs. Wladyslaw Talun for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [118] |
7. | TPSE | Bill Longson vs. Whipper Billy Watson May 5, 1944 |
St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 13,471 | Bill Longson (c) vs. Whipper Billy Watson for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [118] |
8. | GLAC | Maurice Tillet vs. Joe Cox January 23, 1942 |
Buffalo, New York | Buffalo Memorial Auditorium | 13,046 | Maurice Tillet (c) vs. Joe Cox for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship | [119] |
9. | TPSE | Bill Longson vs. Ed Lewis April 8, 1942 |
St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 12,986 | Bill Longson (c) vs. Ed "Strangler" Lewis for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [118] |
10. | TPSE | Bill Longson vs. Sandor Szabo February 25, 1944 |
St. Louis, Missouri | Kiel Auditorium | 12,886 | Bill Longson (c) vs. Sandor Szabo for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [118] |
No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | JDE | Lou Thesz vs. Baron Michele Leone May 21, 1952 |
Los Angeles, California | Gilmore Baseball Park | 25,256 | Lou Thesz (c) vs. Baron Michele Leone in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [120] |
2. | JPP | Argentina Rocca vs. Mighty Zuma November 13, 1959 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 21,890 | Argentina Rocca vs. Mighty Zuma | [121] |
3. | KKBO | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez vs. The Golden Grahams January 26, 1959 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 21,240 | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez defeated The Golden Grahams (Dr. Jerry Graham and Eddie Graham) in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [121] |
4. | CWC | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez vs. Sheik of Araby and Bull Curry October 20, 1958 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,793 | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez vs. Sheik of Araby and Bull Curry | [122] |
5. | CWC | Édouard Carpentier vs. Killer Kowalski November 2, 1957 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,675 | Édouard Carpentier vs. Killer Kowalski | [123] |
6. | CWC | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez vs. The Golden Grahams December 1, 1958 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,350 | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez defeated The Golden Grahams (Dr. Jerry Graham and Eddie Graham) in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [122] |
7. | CWC | Antonino Rocca & Miguel Pérez vs. The Hamilton Brothers May 24, 1958 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,335 | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez vs. The Hamilton Brothers (Joe Hamilton and Larry Hamilton) | [122] |
8. | CWC | Antonino Rocca & Miguel Pérez vs. The Fabulous Kangaroos August 30, 1958 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,179 | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez vs. The Fabulous Kangaroos (Roy Heffernan and Al Costello) in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [122] |
9. | CWC | Antonino Rocca & Miguel Pérez vs. The Fabulous Kangaroos August 9, 1958 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,169 | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez vs. The Fabulous Kangaroos (Roy Heffernan and Al Costello) in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [122] |
10. | MWE | Antonino Rocca & Miguel Pérez vs. Jackie Fargo & Don Stevens March 30, 1957 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,125 | Antonino Rocca and Miguel Pérez vs. Jackie Fargo and Don Stevens | [124] |
No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | FKE / CWC | Pat O'Connor vs. Buddy Rogers June 30, 1961 |
Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park † | 38,000 | Pat O'Connor (c) vs. Buddy Rogers in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [125] |
2. | FKE | Pat O'Connor vs. Yukon Eric July 29, 1960 |
Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park † | 30,275 | Pat O'Connor (c) vs. Yukon Eric in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [126][127] |
3. | FKE | Killer Kowalski vs. Bearcat Wright September 16, 1960 |
Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park † | 26,731 | Killer Kowalski vs. Bearcat Wright in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [126] |
4. | KKBO | Argentina Rocca vs. Mighty Zuma January 2, 1960 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden † | 21,950 | Argentina Rocca vs. Mighty Zuma | [128] |
5. | CWC | Buddy Rogers vs. Bobo Brazil July 17, 1962 |
Washington, D.C. | D.C. Stadium † | 20,959 | Buddy Rogers vs. Bobo Brazil in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [129] |
6. | CWC | Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton vs. Johnny Valentine & Bearcat Wright January 22, 1962 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,777 | Buddy Rogers and Bob Orton vs. Johnny Valentine and Bearcat Wright in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [130] |
7. | CWC | Buddy Rogers & Bob Orton vs. Johnny Valentine & Vittorio Apollo May 26, 1961 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,702 | Buddy Rogers and Bob Orton vs. Johnny Valentine and Vittorio Apollo | [131] |
8. | CWC | Antonino Rocca and Johnny Valentine vs. The Fabulous Kangaroos February 27, 1961 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,400 | Antonino Rocca and Johnny Valentine vs. The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan) | [132] |
9. | CWC | Buddy Rogers vs. Antonino Rocca November 13, 1961 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 20,353 | Buddy Rogers (c) vs. Antonino Rocca in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [131] |
10. | FKE | Buddy Rogers vs. Pat O'Connor September 1, 1961 |
Chicago, Illinois | Comiskey Park † | 20,015 | Buddy Rogers (c) vs. Pat O'Connor in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [125] |
No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | WWWF | Showdown at Shea June 25, 1976 |
New York City, New York | Shea Stadium | 32,000 | Antonio Inoki vs. Muhammad Ali fought in a Boxer vs. Wrestler match | [133] |
2. | NWA-TS | Superdome Extravaganza July 22, 1978 |
New Orleans, Louisiana | Louisiana Superdome † | 31,000 | Ray Candy vs. Ernie Ladd in a Steel Cage match | [127] |
3. | BTW | Parade of Champions June 24, 1972 |
Irving, Texas | Texas Stadium † | 26,339 | Dory Funk Jr. (c) vs. Fritz Von Erich for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [134] |
4. | WWWF | Billy Graham vs. Bruno Sammartino June 27, 1977 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 26,090 | Superstar Billy Graham (c) vs. Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship | [135] |
5. | WWWF | Bob Backlund vs. Ivan Koloff August 28, 1978 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 26,000 | Bob Backlund (c) vs. Ivan Koloff for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship | [135] |
6. | NWA-HW | Fred Blassie vs. John Tolos August 27, 1971 |
Los Angeles, California | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 25,847 | Fred Blassie vs. John Tolos in a Best 2-out-of-3 Falls match | [136] |
7. | WWWF | Superstar Billy Graham vs. Dusty Rhodes September 26, 1977 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 25,102 | Superstar Billy Graham (c) vs. Dusty Rhodes for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship | [135] |
8. | WWWF | Bruno Sammartino vs. Waldo Von Erich May 19, 1975 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 24,553 | Bruno Sammartino (c) vs. Waldo Von Erich for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship | [137] |
9. | WWWF | Showdown at Shea September 30, 1972 |
Flushing, New York | Shea Stadium | 22,508 | Pedro Morales (c) vs. Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship | [138] |
10. | WWWF | Superstar Billy Graham vs. Bob Backlund February 20, 1978 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 22,092 | Superstar Billy Graham (c) vs. Bob Backlund for the WWWF World Heavyweight Championship | [135] |
No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | WWF | WrestleMania III March 29, 1987 |
Pontiac, Michigan | Pontiac Silverdome | 93,173 | Hulk Hogan (c) vs. André the Giant for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship | [7] |
2. | WWF | WWF at the Ohio State Fair August 13, 1985 |
Columbus, Ohio | Ohio State Fairgrounds | 50,000 | Hulk Hogan (c) vs. Big John Studd for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship | [139] |
3. | WWF | Showdown at Shea August 9, 1980 |
New York City, New York | Shea Stadium | 36,295 | Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko in a Steel Cage match | [140] |
4. | WCCW | David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions May 6, 1984 |
Irving, Texas | Texas Stadium † | 32,132 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Kerry Von Erich for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [103] |
5. | WCCW | Cotton Bowl Extravaganza '85 October 6, 1985 |
Dallas, Texas | Cotton Bowl † | 30,214 | Kerry and Kevin Von Erich vs. The Dynamic Duo (Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez) in a Hair vs. Hair match | [141] |
6. | WWF | WWF at the Michigan State Fair August 28, 1985 |
Detroit, Michigan | Michigan State Fairgrounds | 30,000 | Hulk Hogan (c-WC) vs. Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (c-TTC) in a Champion vs. Champion match for the WWF World Tag Team Championship and WWF World Heavyweight Championship | [142] |
7. | MSW | Superdome Extravaganza August 2, 1980 |
New Orleans, Louisiana | Louisiana Superdome | 28,000 | Junkyard Dog vs. Michael Hayes in a Steel Cage Dog Collar match | [143] |
8. | WWF | WWF on MSG Network July 30, 1983 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 27,000 | Bob Backlund (c) vs. George "The Animal" Steele for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship | [144] |
JCP | Great American Bash July 6, 1985 |
Charlotte, North Carolina | American Legion Memorial Stadium | Ric Flair (c) vs. Nikita Koloff for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship with David Crockett as special referee | [145] | ||
9. | WWF | WWF on MSG Network January 23, 1984 |
New York City, New York | Madison Square Garden | 26,292 | André the Giant and The Soul Patrol (Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas) vs. The Wild Samoans (Afa, Sika and Samula) | [144] |
10. | WCCW | 2nd Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions May 5, 1985 |
Irving, Texas | Texas Stadium | 26,153 | Ric Flair (c) vs. Kevin Von Erich for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship | [146] |
No. | Promotion | Event | Location | Venue | Attendance | Main Event(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | WWF | WrestleMania VIII April 5, 1992 |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Hoosier Dome | 62,167 | Hulk Hogan vs. Sid Justice | [27] |
2. | WWF | Royal Rumble January 19, 1997 |
San Antonio, Texas | Alamodome | 60,447 | Sycho Sid (c) vs. Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship | [28] |
3. | WCW | WCW Monday Nitro (Ep. 147) July 6, 1998 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Georgia Dome | 41,412 | Hollywood Hogan (c) vs. Bill Goldberg for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship | [147] |
4. | WCW | WCW Monday Nitro (Ep. 173) January 4, 1999 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Georgia Dome | 38,809 | Hollywood Hogan (c) vs. Kevin Nash for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship | [148] |
5. | WWF | WWF Raw is War (Ep. 333) October 11, 1999 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Georgia Dome | 33,375 | Val Venis and The British Bulldog vs. The Rock 'n' Sock Connection (The Rock and Mankind) | [149] |
6. | WCW | WCW Monday Nitro (Ep. 169) December 7, 1998 |
Houston, Texas | Reliant Astrodome | 32,067 | Bill Goldberg (c) vs. Bam Bam Bigelow for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship | [150] |
7. | WCW | WCW Monday Nitro (Ep. 171) December 21, 1998 |
St. Louis, Missouri | Trans World Dome | 29,000 | Bill Goldberg (c) vs. Scott Hall for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship | [150] |
8. | WCW | WCW Monday Nitro (Ep. 121) January 5, 1998 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Georgia Dome | 26,773 | Lex Luger vs. Randy Savage | [150] |
9. | WCW | WCW Monday Nitro (Ep. 198) July 5, 1999 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Georgia Dome | 25,338 | Kevin Nash (c) vs. Sid Vicious for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship | [148] |
10. | WWF | SummerSlam August 30, 1993 |
Auburn Hills, Michigan | The Palace | 23,954 | Yokozuna (c) vs. Lex Luger for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship | [151] |
General
Specific
The attendance as would be normally announced for an event was 93,730 people, breaking the WWE's all-time total attendance (paid plus comps) record of 79,127 set at the 1992 SummerSlam show at Wembley Stadium, which barely beat out the 1987 WrestleMania III show which did more than 78,000. The actual number in the building was 97,769. ... the company had pushed the idea from the start of drawing 100,000 people (pretty much insuring they would have to announce a number over that or it would be a disappointment to the fans) ... The WWE announced the number at 101,763, which is the mythical number "for entertainment purposes" as Vince McMahon told me about the difference between real numbers and announced numbers years ago.
The attendance as would be normally announced for an event was 93,730 people, breaking the WWE's all-time total attendance (paid plus comps) record of 79,127 set at the 1992 SummerSlam show at Wembley Stadium, which barely beat out the 1987 WrestleMania III show which did more than 78,000. The actual number in the building was 97,769.
The paid the previous time they were in MetLife Stadium was 68,900 paid and a real number of 74,300 in the building, which was announced at 80,676.
93,173 (WrestleMania III), 80,676 (WM 29), 80,355 (SummerSlam 1992 at Wembley Stadium) and 80,103 (WM 23). The real numbers for those shows were 78,000, 72,000, 78,927 and 74,287.
WWE announced 82,265 fans at WrestleMania, the usual fake number. The paid the previous time they were in MetLife Stadium was 68,900 paid and a real number of 74,300 in the building, which was announced at 80,676. Obviously they had to announce a larger number. This year's paid number was 63,000, and with it being a legit sellout, that says that the stage mut have been blocking off more seats as WrestleManias that sellout legit will have 5,000 to 7,000 comps, so the real figure would have been 68,000 to 70,000.
Based on information released, the actual attendance for WrestleMania in Orlando on 4/2 was 64,900 paid. The most it could have been was 71,819 and the least it could have been was 58,491.
At the 2014 WrestleMania in the same building, they announced 75,167 fans, and the actual attendance was between 60,000 and 65,000, with 59,500 paid.
There was a short wrestling match at Madison Square Garden last night. Ten thousand or more of the New York public demonstrated their title to being the most easily gulled on earth by paying their money into the coffers of the Brady, Kennedy, Julian, etc., combination to see Ernest Roeber awarded the match against the "Terrible Turk" because he fell off the platform while running away from the oriental.
Seven thousand people saw the wrestling match between Tom Jenkins of Cleveland and Ernest Roeber of New York, at League Park this afternoon, best two in three, catch-as-catch-can.
It is no exaggeration to say that them were over 4,000 people in the audience, including many distinguished sporting men from New York and the West, as well as from more immediate localities.
About the hollow square in which the contest was to take place, in the centre of the vast floor of Madison Square Garden, and in the boxes and seats on each side, were over 4,000 men.
As it was the most disgraceful scene that has ever visited the stage of any New York theater was enacted in full sight of four thousand people.
André Christol and William Miller wrestled again on the stage of the Grand Opera House, last evening, after the fashion called Greco-Roman. The place was, as on the occasion of their previous contest, crowded to the utmost with spectators of a better class than commonly attend athletic exhibitions. They numbered about three thousand.
About 3000 people congregated in Music Hall last night to witness the twice postponed wrestling match between Gallagher and Leonard.
Fully two thousand healthy men, smoking one thousand unhealthy cigars, poured into Madison Square Garden last evening to see a Graeco-Roman wrestling match between the muscular giants, Mr. William Miller and Mr. William Muldoon.
Dan McLeod won the championship of the world at heavyweight catch-as-catch-can wrestling tonight from "Farmer" Burns before an audience of 1,500 people at the Grand opera house tonight.
Nearly 1000 persons witnessed the wrestling match at Music Hall last night between Hugh Leonard and James H. Faulkner.
The following, account, taken from the Kansas City papers the day after the match, tells the whole story: "Before 8,000 persons in Convention hall last night Frank Gotch regained the American wrestling championship by defeating Fred Beell, his conqueror in New Orleans some three weeks ago".
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