The One Match That Could Draw 100k For WWE WrestleMania 32

Vince McMahon wants to pack 100,000 fans into AT&T Stadium for WrestleMania 32, and 411Mania’s Greg DeMarco has just the match to do it.

Before I get started, a heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone fro reading my WrestleMania coverage—I put out more content than usual last week, and the reads, reactions and feedback were all very much appreciated.

But, just like the WWE, it’s now time to look ahead to AT&T Stadium. The WWE wants to pack 100,000 fans into the building, and to do so they need something truly special for WrestleMania 32. And that something special involves a certain UFC champion…

Her name is Ronda Rousey. She’s the biggest female name in combat sports, and one of the Top 5 overall names in the same genre. She’s already conquered the world of MMA, and she’s already met her goal of being in movies.

Will she feel the same pull towards the easier paydays of sports entertainment, where her fame could only grow, and where’d she have the freedom to wrestle, do movies and even take an MMA fight if her heart so desired?

That answer is years away, but WrestleMania 32 could be the next step in Ronda Rousey’s evolution into Sports Entertainment Superstar. And she could be the reason the WWE fills that stadium with 100,000 people.

Because I, Greg DeMarco, am here to tell you that one match…and one match alone…could draw 100k to Sports Entertainment’s Grandest Stage. And it’s not the one you’d assume.

On the surface, Stephanie McMahon vs Ronda Rousey makes a ton of sense. They’re both women, and Stephanie showed a ton of aggression towards Ronda at WrestleMania. But does anyone believe Stephanie McMahon stands a chance against “the most dangerous unarmed woman on the planet?” Or any Diva for that matter?

I think you can make an argument for Paige, Natalya or AJ. The latter is the best option, but she’s also retired now. And let’s be honest, only AJ is a big enough female name to believably draw against Ronda. Stephanie would draw, but Ronda has already proven Stephanie would get destroyed.

But Ronda Rousey against a man? That’ll sell. The question is…which man?

Looking at the roster, Daniel Bryan is the best choice as it pertains to in-ring skill. But Ronda needs to be the mega-face against a mega-heel. I’ll grant you that Dolph Ziggler and Seth Rollins could both be THE mega-heel that opposes Ronda Rousey.

But that brings up another point about Ronda’s opponent: they have to lose.

If you want Dana White to sign off on this match, Ronda Rousey must win. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want any of the top flight WWE superstars losing to Ronda Rousey.

But Triple H? Yeah, I’m totally fine with ol’ Trips losing to Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 32.

Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H

It’d be very easy to build, starting at Survivor Series or the Royal Rumble. Fans would eat it up. Including the UFC fans, and that’s how Vince McMahon would draw 100,000 to AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Would you need to appease the UFC? Of course you would. It wouldn’t surprise me if WrestleMania 32 had to be “presented by UFC 200” or something of the sorts.

The UFC is very much Sports Entertainment, even if the outcomes aren’t predetermined. And while this isn’t a once in a lifetime opportunity, it damn sure is a rare one.

And unless Dana White says it has to be (and I don’t think this option would even be on the table), I don’t want the match going on last. Second to last is preferred, right before the main event that I’ll talk about in a different article.

(WrestleMania 3 at the Pontiac Silverdome: 93,173)

(George Strait at AT&T Stadium: 104,793)

93,173 is a legendary number in the world of professional wrestling. Can it be topped? AT&T Stadium has the capacity, and the WWE has the ultimate showdown at its disposal to fill the building. It’ll take some creativity, some outside partners (Dana White, the UFC), but if everything falls into place we could see over 100,000 people in attendance for WrestleMania 32.

Another thing to consider: the WWE sacrifices a lot of seats with the end zone stage. WrestleManias 24 and 26 were in stadiums that were largely open on one end. In order to break 100k at WrestleMania 32, the WWE may need to change up its thinking and not have an end zone stage.

Take another look at the George Strait concert pictured above. With some small changes the WWE can still have an elaborate entrance, and possibly a stage without a backdrop, for this event. I, for one, am okay with this. WrestleMania is called “The Grandest Stage” for sports entertainment and professional wrestling—it’s time to make the entire stadium the stage. Lighting and screens everywhere. Different personalities stationed throughout the arena. Possibly even more than one entrance. The WWE has largely held the same stadium/arena set-up for WrestleMania since X-7. Fifteen years later is a great time to debut a new concept…a new look…a new feel…

…a new WrestleMania. One that draws 100k people. If you build it (both figuratively and literally), they will come.

Triple H & Ronda Rousey will bring them in.

Greg DeMarco is a wrestling fan of over 30 years and has worked on the independent circuit as a promoter, announcer, character and booker. Greg a weekly contributor at 411Mania.com, applying his opinionated style to the world of pro wrestling on Sundays and Thursdays.

He began writing for 411Mania in October 2010 and has been pissing readers off ever since!

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And as always…