WWE's 15 Coolest-Looking Arenas & Pay-Per-View/TV Show Sets Ever

WWE has had some very cool looking stages over the years. They have come a long way from the long tunnel without any designation for what event it was. Nowadays, stages are extravagant, costly, and unique to each pay-per-view or TV show. A stage is no longer just the place where the superstars come out to the ring from.

Arena sets now embody the event and put a type of stamp upon a certain event, separating it from all of the rest. There are even times where the set's unique design becomes part of the action.

Here are 15 sets that are just so cool that they stick out in memory. If it is a current stage, here is to hoping that it will stick around for a long time. If they aren't used anymore, they probably should come back.

Smackdown

In the fall of 2001, this set was first used for the weekly Smackdown television broadcasts. Beginning during the Invasion storyline and being the first stage for Smackdown when it became its own brand, this set has seen a lot.

The set features a prominent fist, which implies punching through some glass. The shards of glass that surround the fist make the remainder of the set. Pyro would be set on top of the fist to go off at the opening sequence of shows.

The fist has lived in urban lore with video game players of the old WWE video games that feature this set. Those who hunt for glitches have actually discovered a way for gamers to control their superstars to stand on top of the fist. In real life, no superstar ever stood atop the fist.

Hell in a Cell

The current set for the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view debuted in 2009 when the famous match debuted its own designated pay-per-view. The stage features many LED boards to project visuals. It also shows mostly fire to represent Hell from the name of the show.

The cell aspect also comes into play as part of a cell structure is at the top of the ramp for superstars to walk through. John Morrison used that cage to climb and drop down from during a match in 2010.

The set has been used in all three previous editions of the October event and is anticipated to be used once again in October 2012. That edition of Hell in a Cell is expected to take place in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Oct. 28.

Photo Credit: YouTube User TheViper2009HD 

King of the Ring

This set from the old King of the Ring pay-per-view tradition was used in the 2001 edition, which took place in the Continental Airlines Arena in the New Jersey Meadowlands.

The event is remembered for multiple reasons. Kurt Angle took part in three matches that night, including the finals of the King of the Ring tournament.

That tournament final was won by Edge, who prevented Angle from consecutive King of the Ring crowns.

Angle's third match of the night was a street fight with Shane McMahon. Among the crazy spots from the match, McMahon is remembered as being thrown through panes of glass on the stage (the area in green in the picture).

The main event was also memorable as Booker T officially debuted in WWE, interfering during the world championship triple threat match. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin would end up retaining his championship and the Invasion storyline officially began that night.

New Year's Revolution

I've always had a soft spot for the dragon in the logo for New Year's Revolution. Even if the event wasn't such a success, it was a cool set design. The dragon from the logo was featured prominently on the stage and even had the ability to breathe fire throughout the night.

The stage was also given a bright moment to shine. It will forever be known as the set for which the first Money in the Bank cash-in took place. Edge holding his first world championship with the pay-per-view's name behind it is an iconic picture in the career of the Rated-R Superstar.

Armageddon

Armageddon is no longer a pay-per-view from WWE, but there were still some pretty awesome sets that came out of it. For one, this set looks a lot like a castle.

The set is a lot more memorable than the event was when this was used in the 2006 edition of the event. Despite an inferno match, the event was very lackluster. It's such a shame because the set was incredible and very impressive.

Backlash

I have always loved this Backlash set from 2001, the first year that Backlash stood alone as its own pay-per-view.

The moving scythe blades were a nice touch. It made the stage literally come alive and stay alive throughout the night.

The theme of that blade, which stuck with the event for the rest of its existence, helped define the event in terms of its identity. Those robotic blades built into the stage helped reinforce that idea.

Cyber Sunday

Cyber Sunday, which was originally Taboo Tuesday, was the only event where WWE fans could vote on a stipulation for each match. The power was in the hands of the voters and results would be announced right before each match would be taking place.

For many of the instances of this event, this would be the stage. The stage would literally look like what is currently an iMac, complete with the tower beside it. The tower is now obsolete in the computer's design, just like how Cyber Sunday is obsolete for WWE's needs.

Photo Credit: YouTube User TheViper2009HD 

WWE TLC

The name of the event is self-explanatory for what will be in use during the event. It also describes what the stage will be made of.

Literally dozens of tables, ladders and chairs were used to create this set, which looks very cool.

It also served a purpose for John Cena in 2010, when he used a row of chairs to pull down and have them fall atop Wade Barrett.

Photo Credit: YouTube User TheViper2009HD 

Over the Limit

The idea of the Over the Limit pay-per-view always intrigued me. Did it have a central theme? No. Did it have a cool name and logo? Yes.

The stage brought that same idea with it, making it just enough to be cool and not too much to make it look absolutely cheesy.

WrestleMania XX

WrestleMania stages are always over the top and different than anything else you have seen. WrestleMania XX's was certainly just that. The stage was small compared to most WrestleManias, but it still had a lot going on.

There were video boards on either side, but there was a video board put together at the feet of the superstars as they stood on the stage. It was a unique design that has not been seen since and likely won't be seen again in WWE.

WrestleMania 27

This past year's WrestleMania was also beautiful. Most of the traffic with graphics was held to the back of the stage, meaning that it could be left in the dark easily if need be.

The WrestleMania logo spelled out across the width of the stage was a nice touch. It was simple, but effective.

It was also retro while also keeping with new ideas and technology. If WrestleMania ever standardized their stage setup, this should be how the design looks.

Royal Rumble

2006's Royal Rumble stage had a gladiator-type feel to it. The screen with graphics sat atop what resembled an entrance from old Roman times. Banners, columns, a wooden door, and guards to open the doors brought it all together.

It was very unique to see happening. It was certainly a lot better than WrestleMania IX, which took place in Las Vegas and was presented like a big toga party.

This was a lot less tame, but don't tell Rey Mysterio. The little guy shocked the world by winning that Royal Rumble and later that year becoming World Heavyweight Champion.

Night of Champions

What a classic look. Each championship belt stands tall as a piece of hardware to be proud of, which is exactly how to feel about them.

The set was generally simplistic, but the tweaks made for Night of Champions made it a classic look that can still take form annually.

For the past few years, it has been used at each Night of Champions event.

Madison Square Garden

It's official. Any event held in the old format of Madison Square Garden is already an instant classic. The renovations helped change the arena, no longer allowing this entrance. The small entrance way allowed for such a unique flavor of a show and put fans so close to the action.

It was this tunnel that WWE used for Royal Rumbles, WrestleManias and even just episodes of RAW. Even though it has since changed, MSG is still one of the best places to go and watch a wrestling show.

Photo Credit: YouTube User TheViper2009HD 

ECW One Night Stand

WWE wasn't stupid when they brought ECW back for one night only with the One Night Stand pay-per-view. The stage makes the entire presentation stick out. That stage ends up in a minor league developmental league if not in the hands of the proper people.

WWE tried their best to keep the event more like the actual old ECW brand than anything else. Sure, things got odd and changed from there, but this was a night made to create the ideas that ECW fans are used to.

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