WWECorpbiz — World Wrestling Entertainment® will turn Detroit upside down from Wednesday, March 28, through Sunday, April 1, (browse available WWE Tickets here) with a series of autograph signings, parties, rallies, visits to schools and public libraries, fundraisers and a national reading competition – all leading up to its global pop culture extravaganza, WrestleMania 23.
The excitement starts Wednesday, March 28, as WWE Superstars kick off a series of 12 visits to local schools and libraries as part of WWE’s Get R.E.A.L Read program. The first event takes place on Wednesday morning when WWE Superstars visit Ecorse Community High School. In the afternoon, WWE Superstars and Divas will visit Franklin Branch Library, Redford Branch Library, and Lincoln Branch Library at 4 p.m. with all library visits open to the public.
From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., WWE Superstar Mick Foley™ appears at Kmart in Troy, Mich., to sign copies of his new book, “The Hardcore Diaries”, the third in his series of best-selling autobiographical accounts. At the same time, fans can check out the Fan Axxess Tour at Devonshire Mall in Windsor, Ontario, one of five stops in the greater Detroit area.
On Wednesday evening, fans will have their chance to meet WWE Superstars at the WrestleMania Party at Detroit’s Hockeytown Café from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will include appearances by Hacksaw Jim Duggan™, Jimmy Hart™, Marcus Cor Von™, Jeff Hardy™, MVP™ and Torrie Wilson®.
Follow that up from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Bowl Detroit Rally Party at Skore Lanes in Taylor, Mich., with the Miz™, Tommy Dreamer™, Super Crazy™ and Mickie James™.
Thursday, March 29, brings more Get R.E.A.L. events. WWE Superstars will discuss the importance of reading with students at Western International High School and Redford High School in the morning. WWE Superstars will visit the Elmwood Park Library at 3 p.m. and the Skillman Branch Library at 4 p.m., with both sessions open to the public.
The Fan Axxess Tour continues at Devonshire Mall in Windsor, Ontario, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with visits from Eugene™, William Regal™, Dave Taylor™, Marcus Cor Von and the Sandman™. Or check out the autograph signing at Belle Tire in Waterford, Mich., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with WWE Superstar Matt Hardy™ and Diva Michelle McCool™. Fans can also catch WWE Superstar Edge® and ECW® Diva Layla™ at FYE in Auburn Hills, Mich., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The fifth annual THQ Superstar Challenge takes place at Detroit’s Gem Theater from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday. Fans will get to watch their favorite WWE Superstars compete playing “WWE SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2007”, including World Heavyweight Champion Batista™, ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley™, Woman’s Champion Melina™, Jeff Hardy™, Mr. Kennedy™, Johnny Nitro™, CM Punk™, and Ashley™.
On Friday morning, March 30, WWE Superstars visit Miller Middle School in Detroit and Marist Academy in Pontiac, Mich. Friday’s excitement continues with the Fan Axxess Tour at the Ford Field Concourse from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., hang out with WWE Tag Team Champions Paul London™ and Brian Kendrick™ with Funaki™ at Cheli’s Chili Bar on East Adams for a Friday Night SmackDown Viewing Party sponsored by Comcast.
For those lucky enough to get tickets, there is an advance screening of WWE Films latest project, “The Condemned,” starring Stone Cold Steve Austin™ and Vinnie Jones. The WWE Superstars, including Stone Cold®, will be on hand at the Fox Theatre to view this action-packed thriller, rated R, which officially opens on April 27.
On Saturday, March 31, the national WrestleMania Reading Challenge Finals take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Detroit Public Library on Woodward Avenue. ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley, WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio®, and WWE Legend Jimmy Hart™ will host the event, which will also be attended by well-known young adult authors Chris Crutcher and Paul Volponi. Attendees will watch as the five National Finalists from across the country, including Detroit’s own Cardeal Lightfoot, compete to be named the National WrestleMania Reading Challenge Champion. This event is open to the public, but seating is limited.
The Fan Axxess tour will make its final stop on the road to WrestleMania on March 31 as the WWE takes over the Ford Field Concourse from noon until 8 p.m. WWE Superstars will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs from noon to 2 p.m.
Also on March 31, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Detroit will host a bowling fundraiser at Skore Lanes. WWE Superstars will be in attendance, including ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley and Rey Mysterio, to raise funds for this worthy organization. The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets by contacting Fran Wood at (313) 291-6220.
Mick Foley can be found signing copies of his new book at Borders Books in Taylor, Mich., on March 31 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
On Saturday evening, WWE Superstars Viscera™, Michelle McCool, Maria™, Deuce™, Domino™ and Cherry™ will visit Detroit’s State Theatre to watch the Detroit News’ “Battle of the Bands” from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The highlight of Saturday will be the induction of several WWE Legends into the WWE Hall of Fame at the Fox Theatre. The inductees include: Jerry “The King” Lawler, who will be inducted by William Shatner; “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes; the late “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, who will be inducted by Wade Boggs; Mr. Fuji; Nick Bockwinkel, to be inducted by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, and the Original Sheik. The ceremony will air on the USA Network at midnight/11 p.m. C.
On Sunday morning, April 1, WWE will honor its “Circle of Champions” at its annual “Bacon, Bagels and Biceps Brunch.” About a dozen children from wish agencies around the country will be honored for having shown courage in dealing with serious illnesses or disabilities. The Make-A-Wish Foundation and Dreams Come True are among the organizations which are participating.
Then at 6:30 p.m., WWE presents WrestleMania 23 at Ford Field in front of a capacity crowd of more than 75,000. Fans will converge on Detroit from 23 countries, including all 50 states and 9 Canadian provinces. WrestleMania 23 has already topped $5 million in ticket sales, making it the highest grossing one-day live event in World Wresting Entertainment history.
