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Indianapolis is preparing to welcome its first major wrestling event in more than 30 years, with plans for numerous themed public events tied to World Wrestling Entertainment’s Royal Rumble on Feb. 1.
The local organizing committee this week released details of collaborations, public artwork, ancillary wrestling shows and other activities that will roll out next week ahead of the main event at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Here are some of the events happening in Indianapolis next week ahead of the Royal Rumble.
Indiana Pacers WWE Night
7 p.m. Jan. 29 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Taking place during the Pacers’ game against the Detroit Pistons, the event will feature a limited edition Tyrese Haliburton WWE bobblehead and appearances by the circuit’s Bianca Belair and Montez Ford.
WWE Superstore
Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at the Indiana Convention Center
Fans can shop WWE merchandise and take advantage of autograph and meet-and-greet sessions with a host of wrestlers like CM Punk, Cody Rhodes and Trish Stratus.
WrestleCon Indianapolis
Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at the Marriott Downtown, 350 W. Maryland St.
A regionalized event tied to the larger WrestleCon held annually in Las Vegas, this free, fan-centric event offers autograph signings, live matches and meet-and-greets with entertainers like Chavo Guerrero Jr., Arn Anderson and Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser.
WCWO Wrestling
7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Edison School of the Arts, 777 White River Parkway Drive
Indianapolis-based WCWO Wrestling will also host its own show, featuring ex-WWE stars Chavo Guerrero and Ken Anderson, along with other wrestlers Missa Kate and Dayami Ho. The family-friendly show’s tickets start at $12.
WWE SmackDown
7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
WWE superstars participate in a three-hour show featuring long-running rivalries, with some storylines expected to feed into Royal Rumble.
WWE Royal Rumble
6 p.m. Feb. 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium
An estimated 65,000 guests are expected to take in the event, which will include a men’s and women’s 30-person match. Winners get the chance at a championship title at WrestleMania.
Top Rope Tailgate
1 p.m. Feb. 1 at The Hangar, 501 S. Madison Ave.
The $30 entry fee covers food and drink, and gives access to Chreece-coordinated rap battles, live music, live games and a watch party for Royal Rumble itself.
Community activations
- The committee is working with two Indianapolis visual artists, Kyng Rhodes and JD Bills, for commissioned signage in the Fountain Fletcher District and at Indianapolis International Airport, as well as welcoming visitors to downtown with WWE-themed street signs, pole banners, convention center graphics and various other pieces of signage—and a sign-making station—at the airport.
- Local businesses can also create themed offerings in partnership with the organizing committee through the Marquee Matchup program, which will be powered by the application Eat Watch Play.
- The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis will adorn its dinosaurs with championship belts to celebrate Royal Rumble.
- Hotboys, a hot fried chicken restaurant with a location in Fountain Square, plans to collaborate with Sun King Brewing on a limited-run beer, Spandex Super Slam.
- Throughout the weekend, the Fountain Fletcher District will host vintage merchandise swaps, vintage gaming areas and a slate of wrestling matchups with the Naptown All-Pro Combat Crossroads, hosted at Fountain Square Theater.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the length of the WWE Friday Night SmackDown show.
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