On March 7, 2019, WWE announced that WrestleMania 36 will be at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida, on April 5, 2020.
A live stream for the event was held at the location this is what occurred at the announcement (see below). The live announcement began with WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan.
Hogan talked about his hometown and how he fell in love with wrestling. He can not wait for the event and this WrestleMania will be the biggest one.
He introduced Mr. John Saboor, EVP- Special Events. Saboor talked about his position and his pride with service of WWE. He discussed some of the exciting news. Saboor introduced the Hillsborough County Commission, Ken Hagan.
Ken Hagan talked about him being a huge WWE fan. He is excited and honored that WrestleMania is finally here in Tampa Bay, FL. He will welcome fans from everywhere and states they will make it the best Mania ever.
Stephanie McMahon walked on stage. Stephanie discussed that WWE has not had WrestleMania in Tampa Bay in all the years the event has been around. She is determined to make it the best one yet.
McMahon spoke of Forbes naming The Grandest Stage of Them All in the top 10 of the most valuable sporting events. WrestleMania is an event like no other with world class athleticism. She reminisced on Wrestlemania I, where Hulk Hogan teamed with Mr. T and Mohammed Ali.
Titus O’Neil approached the stage. He thanked Stephanie McMahon. He was thrilled it will be in his hometown. He was honored to help with giving back to the community. Titus went over all the charities they will be giving back to. They did not want to wait till next year with the Boys & Girls Club, WWE will be starting today with the Boys & Girls Club.
The Mayor of the City of Tampa entered the stage. He thanked everyone. He talked about Tampa being a wrestling town and the armory for wrestling. That wrestling is part of Tampa. Tampa is their home. Tampa will be put on the map because of WrestleMania and what an amazing place. This celebrates Tampa who they are as a community and they are thankful. The Mayor is proud of the belt that WWE gave him for hosting this event.
Executive Vice President Paul Levesque entered the stage. The King of Kings talked about Tampa being ingrained in the history of WWE and wrestling. He spoke of Dusty Rhodes and the dream of wanting to due more with their lives. It all started in Tampa, FL. WrestleMania is hard to compare to any event in the world. The reach and scale of WM is beyond the scale and it breaks records.
He reminded everyone over 180 countries will watch Tampa and WrestleMania live on the WWE Network. That NXT became so much more, and its home is in Florida. He talked about the women’s evolution starting because of NXT and Florida is the birth place of these superstars. NXT will also host its largest TakeOver show ever that weekend in Tampa. The fans will see and feel the history of WWE. Because WWE is then, now, and forever. HHH then asked everyone “Are you ready?”
Rob Higgins, Executive Director Tampa Bay Sports Commissioner, thanked everyone and the entire WWE Universe. He stated this is the biggest event that this community has ever hosted. This is their 1st WrestleMania. Also the same community that will be hosting WrestleMania and the Super Bowl. This is Tampa’s time and, with WWE, together they will create a WrestleMania experience no one has ever seen.
Charlotte Flair entered the stage telling she will be facing Rhonda Rousey for the RAW Women’s title. She started her career in Tampa and finished her skills at the WWE Performance Centre. She spoke of WWE dedicating more time to the women on the roster and them headlining several major events.
The last guest was Roman Reigns. Roman entered and spoke of the moments. The moments he’s had with WrestleMania. He talked of his children playing backstage of WrestleMania and their smiles. He invited everyone to please make the moment with WWE.
Pics and videos courtesy of WWE.