World Wrestling Entertainment returns to Hawai'i
By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Staff Writer
 |
| The Rock is expected to be the main attraction at Saturday's WWE show at Blaisdell Arena. Other events include tag teams and a swimsuit challenge.
WWE Tour of Defiance 4 p.m. Saturday Blaisdell Arena Sold out • • • Tag Team Championship Match Billy & Chuck (with Rico) vs. Faarooq & Hugh Morrus Cruiserweight Title Hurricane Helms vs. Jamie Knoble Val Venis vs. Test Randy Orton vs. Albert Billy Kidman vs. Lance Storm Tajiri & Funaki vs. Christian & D-Von (with Deacon Bautista) Swimsuit Challenge Match Torrie Wilson vs. Stacy Keibler vs. Ivory |
For one thing, the WWF is now officially called World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), thanks to the similarly acronymed World Wildlife Fund's successful 2001 legal smackdown on the 20-year-old wrestling organization's use of the three-letter ID. Before that came a lucrative 1999 initial public offering of WWF stock that made the flamboyant McMahon a billionaire; a 2001 buyout of suddenly flailing longtime rival World Championship Wrestling from AOL Time Warner for $2.5 million; and the $70 million financial and psychological black eye that was last year's now-defunct XFL football league.
The larger laundry list of 1990s WWF life-changing events — good (multimillion-dollar television, film and music deals and the rise of wrestling superstars like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock) and bad (the drop in dollar value and popularity of a few of those deals and superstars) — reads like the staged "sports entertainment" soap opera that McMahon showcases nightly for television and arena audiences around the world. The one thing that hasn't seemed to change all that much, however, is the WWE's popularity with Hawai'i fans.
The WWE superstars' last Hawai'i showdown took place May 12, 1994, when Bret "Hitman" Hart, The Undertaker and Bam Bam Bigelow, among others, entertained Blaisdell Arena audiences for tickets in the $15 to $25 range. Tomorrow's sold-out "Tour of Defiance" card featuring Rikishi, Kurt Angle and a headlining bout between Y2J Chris Jericho and one-time local boy and main attraction The Rock (aka Dwayne Johnson) came out swinging with prices ranging from $25 to a whopping $90. Tickets still sold out just two hours after going on sale May 25.
True, the arena's 9,000-seat capacity is small potatoes compared with the plus-size venues that WWE's current pair of touring wrestling extravaganzas, "Defiance" and "Global Warning Tour," usually try to fill about 350 nights a year.
But WWE's Honolulu ticket-sales feat is still impressive, given the time and trends that have passed since its last Blaisdell appearance. After all, ratings for WWE television properties like "Raw" and "SmackDown!" and attendance at Mainland WWE live shows have dropped in recent months.
A near-decade of pent-up wrestling demand and the first live Hawai'i appearance by the man of the famously crooked eyebrow and "sort-of" local roots seem to have had a particularly large effect on fans.
"I've been waiting for the (WWE) to come back for a long, long time," said Todd Mackey, 30, of Kailua. Mackey bought two $75 seats last month, hoping he'd be able to work his charms on a female in time for tomorrow evening's WWE match-ups.
As of Monday morning, though, Mackey was still dateless and considering selling his extra ducat to a ticketless co-worker — albeit, for a $25 to $50 markup.
"I wanted the $90 ringside (seats), but my tokens kind of sucked. The seats I have are OK, but if anyone wants to sell me anything ringside, I guess I'd consider any (offer) under $250," Mackey said.
"I'm just going to see The Rock," said Marlene Rego, 45, of Pearl City, who admitted she didn't know the People's Elbow (The Rock's signature finishing move) from tennis elbow. Rego's boyfriend — the real WWE fan in their household — sprang for the couple's $75 seats. "He's so handsome and, oh, the body on that man! My God!"
Rego isn't talking about her boyfriend Sean, by the way.
"I saw 'Scorpion King' once with my boyfriend and twice with my girlfriends," said Rego, dreamily. "I don't know who (The Rock is) wrestling ... I don't care who wins, as long as he shows up."
Meanwhile, Mackey, a WWE fan since his teenage years, admitted to never quite forgiving Hulk Hogan for joining the rival WCW, dissing McMahon and then happily returning to his former employer's fold. ("He deserved the smackdown he got from The Rock at Wrestlemania 18!" he crowed.) He did have a favorite picked for this weekend, though.
"Yeah, The Rock is the so-called 'local boy,' and most folks will probably be cheering him on, but I like Y2J's style, y' know," said Mackey. "The rumor is (The Rock has) been pre-scripted to win, but I'm hoping they give Jericho the win.
"I'm still mad at The Rock for the $8 and 90 minutes I lost watching 'The Scorpion King.' "
April 7, 1986: Wrestlemania II is broadcast via closed-circuit television to a vocal Blaisdell Arena audience tossing popcorn, soda and hotdogs. Andre the Giant wins a 20-man Battle Royal army that includes NFL players William "The Refrigerator" Perry and local boy Russ Francis. Hulk Hogan wins his headlining bout with King Kong Bundy.
April 10, 1990: The WWF's first live Hawai'i appearance sees Hulk Hogan beating down Mr. Perfect in 10 minutes at Blaisdell Arena. The Ultimate Warrior does the same to Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Tickets for the event sold out in 4 1/2 hours.
April 2, 1991: Sidelined by an injury, The Ultimate Warrior bows out of a match with Sgt. Slaughter at Blaisdell Arena. Matches go on as scheduled, but among the disappointed fans are children of then-state Sen. Milton Holt. Later, Holt asks the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Senate Committee on Consumer Protection to look into "false or deceptive advertising" by promoters and possible state regulation of the sport.
July 17, 1991: The Ultimate Warrior redeems himself with autograph sessions at Liberty House Ala Moana and Pearlridge attended by thousands. No word about whether Sen. Holt or his children are among the devotees.
Dec. 14, 1991: Hulk Hogan goes to the mat with Ric Flair on an Aloha Stadium WWF all-star card. Match-ups were scheduled to include The Legion of Doom vs. The Natural Disasters with Jimmy Hart, Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase, and "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith vs. The Berzerker.
March 13, 1992: Another Blaisdell Arena showdown features The Mountie and manager Jimmy Hart.
Sept. 12, 1992: The Ultimate Warrior returns for a Blaisdell Arena smackdown.
March 27, 1993: Randy "Macho Man" Savage takes on Giant Gonzales in the Blaisdell Arena main event. Also on the card is a tag team match featuring Bret Hart and Mr. Perfect vs. Razor Ramon and "The Narcissist" Lex Luger.
May 12, 1994: The WWF's last Hawai'i showcase before an eight-year absence features Bret Hart, The Undertaker and Bam Bam Bigelow.
June 15, 2002: The WWF returns as the WWE with The Rock taking on Y2J Chris Jericho. Other scheduled match-ups include Rikishi vs. Kurt Angle and a championship defense by The Hurricane.
