Entertainment
Making WrestleMania: WWE star Titus O’Neil reveals how Tampa extravaganza is ‘antidote to hard times’
WWE superstar Titus O’Neil has promised Tampa will ‘relish the opportunity’ to host WrestleMania 37 next week.
The 43-year-old wrestler – who worked with the NFL to promote the Super Bowl in his home city last month – will be hosting the annual extravaganza on April 10 and 11 alongside Hulk Hogan, over a year after 2020 plans were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, Tampa will get its big moment when the Show of Shows comes from Raymond James Stadium, and Titus has promised something special after a tough time for people around the world.
He said: ‘We relish the opportunity to be able to show the world what we have, what we’re about, who we are as a community, and that we can party hard.
‘We can put on first-class experiences for sports and entertainment and we try to leave legacies with those experiences.’
The former 24/7 Champion added that WrestleMania can be a unifying event after 12 months of people being kept apart.
‘We want to be the antidote to hard times for people,’ he explained.
‘Where they can go and sit in front of your television and escape their world, immerse themselves in the world of WWE for a few hours to be entertained, to be taken on an emotional roller coaster, to be invested in stories and ultimately be able to bring their family together where so many people are not able to do that because of the pandemic.’
He also promised ‘activations’ around the city – including community events and virtual meet and greets – to make sure people who can’t be in Raymond James Stadium can ‘still feel a part of the WrestleMania week experience’.
As a proud Tampa resident, Titus is delighted to have a chance to showcase the city to people around the world, particular those who may not be aware of everything it has to offer.
‘It’s a great place to raise a family, a great place to visit from out of town. If you’re looking to, you know, be around water and enjoy outdoor activities. Great food spots. It’s a great foodie town, a lot of great restaurants,’ he said.
‘And if you’re looking for just a place to be inspired, I mean, if you look at the history of the city and this area, from where it came from to where it is right now, it’s still a lot of people that are home grown in the City of Tampa – that truly love the city.
‘When it’s time for us to come together, whether it be because of a pandemic or a hurricane, or just to support various causes, the city always comes together. There are a lot of giving people in this community and that energy feeds off to whoever comes here as an outsider.’
Meanwhile, the star – who is rumoured to be receiving this year’s WWE Hall of Fame Warrior Award for his inspirational charitable work – also believes Tampa is a world-leader in sports and entertainment.
‘People don’t realise that Tampa is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. There are people that are moving here from California and New York and even overseas,’ he added.
‘The housing market is going through the roof. I don’t think any other place in the country can say that all four major sports franchises that are in one city made it to a Championship game.
‘We can say that. Tampa can say that, with two of them winning. The NHL Stanley cup Champions with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the first team in NFL history to play a Super Bowl at their home stadium -and then went on to win it.’
Titus points to the city’s history as one of the only places to host five Super Bowls, which included this year’s big game.
He said: ‘So, you know, when you take that all into account, Tampa is the perfect place for WrestleMania to emanate from.’
*WrestleMania 37 airs on April 10 and 11 from Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium will Titus O’Neil and Hulk Hogan as co-hosts. Tune in from midnight both nights on the WWE Network and BT Sport Box Office.
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