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Wrestlemania is an annual pay-per-view event that has been held by the WWE (formerly WWF) since 1985. The professional wrestling showcase features the sport's biggest stars, and has established itself as one of the most-watched PPV shows in America. This guide will show you how to watch Wrestlemania for free.
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Introduction
- Wrestlemania is a huge draw for fans who enjoy watching unique tag-team pairings and "battle royals" that pit upwards of 25 competitors against each other in a single ring. The event often includes special guests like Mickey Rourke, who add celebrity flavor to the proceedings. It's a sports tradition like none other, but it can be rather pricey. If you don't want to shell out between $50 and $60 to watch the show, read on.
Step 1: Find a Blast Area
- The WWE has partnered with dozens of bars across America to provide live telecasts of their PPV shows. Some of the more common "Blast Areas" are Hooters and Buffalo Wild Wings. Fortunately, the WWE website lists these Blast Areas, making it easy to find the bar that's right for you. Just make sure you call ahead to make sure that you won't be charged an entrance fee (and of course, to make sure that seats are still available).
Step 2: Talk to Your Friends
- If you're into wrestling, it's likely that your friends are as well. If you can't get into a Blast Area, it's time to work the phones to see if you know anyone who's hosting a Wrestlemania party. You may have to chip in a buck or two to watch the show, but it sure beats the alternative.
Step 3: Live Web Streaming
- If you don't mind watching on your computer, there are a number of websites that stream Wrestlemania events for free. Just plug the keywords "wrestlemania free" into your web browser and dozens of choices will appear.
- One warning: The quality of the broadcasts can be uneven, and depending on your Internet connection, there may be some buffering to contend with. There are also ethical questions of watching the show without going through approved WWE channels, so this option may not be right for you. If it isn't, move on to Step 4.
Step 4: Wait it Out
- If you don't mind waiting for a replay, there are three free options:
- Watch WWE Raw. "Raw" usually airs a day or two after Wrestlemania, and it almost always plays clips from the PPV show. It's one way to see the highlights from the best matches, although, of course, it doesn't broadcast the entire show.
- Get the DVD. The DVD version of Wrestlemania is typically released a few weeks after the live show, and is available from home rental companies like Netflix. There is an outside chance that Netflix will offer immediate online viewing, though this isn't likely to occur until the DVD has been out for some time. While this option isn't entirely free (Netflix, after all, is a pay service), it will work well for existing Netflix members or those who simply sign up for a free trial.
- Watch a replay online. The same websites that offer live streaming will usually offer free replays of the event. Their quality is often superior to the live broadcast, and, since time is not a factor, you have the advantage of surfing around to find the very best presentation. Best of all, you can pause, rewind and fast forward to the matches you really want to see.
Conclusion
- With some creative thinking and a bit of patience, you can find a free showing of Wrestlemania without breaking a sweat. The Blast Sites are a good place to start, if you don't mind getting to the bar a little early to beat the crowd. Watching with friends, seeing the event online and playing the waiting game each have their drawbacks, but for true wrestling fans, these are minor hassles. They'll all save you a ton of money while experiencing an American sports tradition.
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