WrestleMania 41 Turns Las Vegas Into Pro Wrestling Paradise

Las Vegas is rolling out the red carpet for wrestling fans this weekend as WrestleMania 41 takes over Sin City, transforming it into a buzzing hub for everyone who lives for body slams and over-the-top entrances.

This year, Allegiant Stadium—home turf for the Las Vegas Raiders—will host the two-night wrestling extravaganza on Saturday and Sunday. The WWE is pulling out all the stops, sandwiching WrestleMania with its top TV shows: Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night Raw will keep the hype going before and after the main event.

If that's not enough, the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is set for Friday, while NXT's Stand & Deliver will hit the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, just ahead of WrestleMania Night 1. NXT fans also get a treat with a live Tuesday show at BleauLive Theater in Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

From the minute fans land at Harry Reid International Airport, they’ll know WrestleMania is in town. Steve Hill, head of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, says Vegas is uniquely built to let big events take over: “You’ll just see it and feel it in a way that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.” That’s Vegas for you—always ready for a spectacle.

With the city’s atmosphere rivaling Super Bowl week, wrestling fans are pouring in to witness their heroes perform on what’s been dubbed “The Grandest Stage of Them All.” The buzz is building toward a headline clash for the Undisputed WWE Championship between Cody Rhodes and John Cena. And just in case you miss the excitement, an animated "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign flaunting Cena's "You Can’t See Me" catchphrase will greet you right at the airport.

The action spills way beyond the stadium. WWE World opens Thursday at the Las Vegas Convention Center, promising the ultimate fan experience. Legendary Undertaker brings his "1deadMAN SHOW" to Fontainebleau, which is also the site for the debut of WrestleMania After Dark. The party keeps rolling with Gronk Beach hosted by Rob Gronkowski on Sunday, and a roast of WrestleMania featuring comedian Tony Hinchcliffe to close out the weekend.

Downtown casinos are in on the fun, hosting independent wrestling shows and live podcasts. The Fremont Street Experience will echo with the sound of Living Colour performing “Cult of Personality” on Friday night. WWE Hall of Famers Nikki and Brie Bella are set for a wine tasting at Hooters Saloon, because what’s more Vegas than sipping wine with wrestling royalty?

Even with all the glitz, the city isn’t forgetting its family roots: WrestleMania lands on Easter weekend, a relatively quiet time for Vegas—until now. “This really elevates the weekend for us in a number of different ways,” Hill noted, pointing out that WrestleMania has given the Strip a makeover, with giant championship belts and icons decked out in wrestling gear. If you thought Formula One had a monopoly on spectacle, think again.

Steve Hill admits he wasn't always a wrestling fan, but says he’s caught the bug—especially with John Cena, who’s apparently gone a little rogue lately. For fans old and new, Las Vegas is now the ultimate wrestling playground, if only for a weekend.