Pro wrestling has a deep history in Tampa. Old time rasslin' fans will remember the days when Dusty Rhodes had crowds going wild at The Armory long before there was ever a WrestleMania. Fans of the 80's got to see Clearwater's Hulk Hogan take the popularity of pro wrestling to a new level. And even in the past decade, many of the stars you see now on Monday Night Raw got their training and reps in at a little warehouse on Dale Mabry before NXT was created in Orlando.
Now a new challenger to Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment has emerged. AEW (All Elite Wrestling) debuted a few years ago up in Jacksonville. Wrestlers who were unhappy with the direction pro wrestling was going in created a new league and eventually landed a TV deal with TNT and TBS.
The owner has deep pocked and has recruited many familiar WWE stars. It's reminiscent of when Ted Turner got the checkbook out and brought Hulk Hogan, "Macho Man" Randy Savage, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and other WWF stars to boost his World Championship Wrestling ratings. The new Ted Turner is Tony Khan. He's the son of the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
For longtime WWE fans, you'll recognize a lot of familiar faces even if you haven't watched AEW yet. Some have had to change their names because they are owned by WWE. But here are 15 of the more recognizable faces you might see when Tony Khan's AEW makes its Tampa debut at USF at the Yuengling Center August 2.
Wow what a night. I was a huge pro wrestling fan as a kid. In college I was a ring announcer but that career was cut short because I was too tall. My last WrestleMania was back in 1988. I’m gonna keep the tradition going and go every 33 years. Looking forward to WrestleMania 70.
Entering Ray J... for the day Tom Brady's photos were replaced by some interesting WWE characters.
A wet day in Tampa Bay... tarps kept the ring dry during the Sunday downpours.
Even as show time approached, it looked sketchy. Night 1 had a delay. Was looking like it might happen again.
If you've ever been to a live wrestling show, you know the real show isn't in the ring.
LOL this dude's ready. For what I have no idea.
Geno at WrestleMania in Tampa
Pretty sure it's not the real Hulk Hogan.
Happy Halloween. Or WrestleMania.
Time for the preshow.
Jerry "The King" Lawler makes his way to the desk.
Preshow wrapping up!
Time to go find our seats!
Heading to Floor Section 2!
OK... I lucked out big time. Ticket prices plummeted the week of the show so we got 4th row ringside behind the announcers! My producer Chuck and I are ready to rumble! Or drink beer and watch pro wrestling.
Jeez these seats! The pirate ship looked great!
Randy Orton opens the night.
This Bray Wyatt guy kills me. Love his character. Longtime 80s wrestling fans probably remember his father "IRS" or Mike Rotundo.
Ray J looked great!
Randy Orton
Bray Wyatt vs Randy Orton.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
Bray Wyatt as The Fiend
Creepy.
I almost wore the same thing.
Chuck using the binoculars for the ladies match... even though we're in the 4th row. Kind of an invasion of privacy if ya ask me.
If you watch the replay, you can see us making fools of ourselves behind the announcers.
Logan Paul about to get his.
Kevin Owens
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
Seeing a YouTuber get knocked out was awesome. Even if it was fiction.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
Sitting next to us was 90s pop music star Ryan Cabrera.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
Jump!
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
Shaemus vs former UFC fighter Matt Riddle.
This guy was tossing out $1 bills like it was a gentleman's club.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
Tampa Bay's own Big E.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
WWE productions are always over the top with lights, laser and pyro.
The champ.
New ladies champ!
Daniel Bryan.
Edge.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
Showtime.
Edge
When the wrestlers destroy the announcers table, they have a guy with a backup TV monitor. Convenient.
Edge
Roman and Paul E admire their work.
Roman in control.
Daniel Bryan
Roman Reigns had enough of the ringside fans boos.
Give up?
Roman Reigns
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
Edge goes for the pin.
Edge at ringside taunts fans.
In pro wrestling, there's always an available steel chair.
The big finale with Roman Reigns and Paul E Dangerously.
Roman Reigns
.
Roman Reigns
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
WrestleMania 37 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa
Photo courtesy of Chuck Schafer.
