When World Wrestling Entertainment brings WrestleMania to the Georgia Dome April 3, it offers almost a week’s worth of interactive fun for the whole family. From an art auction featuring works by some of WWE’s biggest stars to the main event of WrestleMania XXVII (held in Atlanta for the first time), the festivities begin on March 30 and run through the following Monday with “Raw” (WWE’s flagship show) at Philips Arena. Here’s a look at all that Mania has to offer:
WrestleMania Art Auction
WWE superstars prove their in-ring talents several times a week, which is what keeps people watching on TV and in arenas nationwide. Some have talents outside of the squared circle, such as Jerry “The King” Lawler, who is an adept artist. This annual art auction allows WWE stars to showcase their creative talents while fans attend a red carpet arrival, meet celebrities and bid on one-of-a-kind creations. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (red carpet arrivals begin at 5:30 p.m.). March 30. $10 for red carpet access, $50 for general admission, $175 for VIP admission. The Fox Theatre, Egyptian Ballroom, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-785-7315, www/choa.org/wweart.
WrestleMania Axxess
Beginning March 31, WWE fans will have several opportunities to meet their favorite stars leading up to WrestleMania XXVII. In addition to collecting autographs from John Cena, Randy Orton, Sheamus, CM Punk, John Morrison and others, fans will get to watch exclusive matches, create their own ring entrances to rival those of their favorite stars and view memorabilia, including Cena’s car collection. There also will be interactive opportunities to visit the mythical Undertaker’s graveyard, Hornswoggle’s leprechaun house and other areas normally found in parts unknown.
6 p.m.-10 p.m. March 31-April 2, 8 a.m.-noon April 2-3, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. April 2, 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. April 3. $35-$96, free 3 and younger. Georgia World Congress Center, Building C, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. N.W., Atlanta. 404-223-4000, www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/wrestlemaniaaxxess/, www.gwcc.com.
WrestleMania Reading Challenge Finals
Another way that WWE gives back to its fans at WrestleMania is with the reading challenge, which encourages kids in the U.S. and Canada to read voraciously in hopes of meeting their favorite stars. More than 1,800 libraries participate in the challenge, with 20 finalists making it to Atlanta. Teen author Joan Bauer will judge finalists who answer trivia questions about Bauer's and John Green’s novels. WWE stars the Big Show, Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, Hornswoggle and Eve Torres will offer encouragement, with winners receiving ringside seats to WrestleMania the next day.
9 a.m.-11 a.m. April 2. Free. Atlanta-Fulton Central Library Auditorium, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta. 404-730-1700, www.afpls.org/library-events-today.
WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
While WrestleMania allows its current stars to perform on WWE’s grandest stage, it has become tradition to induct a new class of greats into the elite WWE Hall of Fame the night before the main event. The awards ceremony allows competitors to call a momentary truce and put on their tuxedos (often accentuated with masks and other ring attire) for this classy affair. This year’s inductees include “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels, the patriotic “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, one of the original “divas” Sunny, local legend “Bullet” Bob Armstrong and, in the celebrity wing, Drew Carey.
8 p.m.-11 p.m. April 2. $29-$90.90. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 404-878-3000, www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/wrestlemaniaweek/, www.philipsarena.com.
WrestleMania XXVII
The extravaganza WrestleMania finally comes to Atlanta, and this year’s event looks to be one of the biggest. Wrestling fans will witness such match-ups as WWE Champion the Miz vs. Cena, World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. Del Rio and Triple H challenging the Undertaker’s undefeated WrestleMania streak. With WWE legend turned film star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returning to WWE to host (and exchange words with Cena and the Miz), and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi of “Jersey Shore” stepping into the ring to compete, this year’s Mania will be one of the most unique (and unpredictable) to date.
6:30 p.m.-11 p.m. April 3. $25-$1,050.35. Georgia Dome, 1 Georgia Dome Drive, Atlanta. 404-223-4636, wm27.wwe.com/, www.gadome.com.
Monday Night Raw
It’s always exciting when the longest-running episodic show comes to town, but when followed by WWE’s biggest annual event there’s more reason to attend. Whether scores are settled, new rivalries emerge or ongoing battles continue, Atlanta will see all of WrestleMania’s aftermath live while the rest of the world tunes in on the USA Network.
8:15 p.m.-11:15 p.m. April 4. $24-$90.90. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 404-878-3000, www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/wrestlemaniaweek/, www.philipsarena.com.
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