WWE WrestleMania 32's Reported Record Ticket Sales Point to Brand's Strength

The proof of WWE WrestleMania's drawing power is in the numbers.

With an incomplete card and weeks worth of ticket sales left, WrestleMania 32 has reportedly already made history. AT&T Stadium in Dallas promises to be packed with spectators.

Dave Meltzer reported (subscription required) in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc) that the event has sold a record 84,000 tickets. 

WWE could also open up more standing room space to welcome even more fans. On his blog, Hall of Famer Jim Ross wrote, "Still think that they do north of 100,000 in the stadium as I've said for months."

All these robust numbers are a reminder that WrestleMania remains mighty, even when the rest of the year for WWE is down. 

Much of the conversation over the last year has focused on Raw's sinking ratings in the fall and the resistance to Roman Reigns' rise to marquee status. Many have wondered aloud if Vince McMahon has lost his touch. Many have lamented WWE not being the red-hot product it was each week when Steve Austin, The Rock and Undertaker led the way.

None of that matters. WrestleMania sells. Period.

WrestleMania 32 will boast a record attendance despite injuries thinning out WWE's roster in a big way. Seth Rollins is recovering from a torn MCL and ACL. Shoulder surgery has Cesaro, Randy Orton and John Cena all out of action. Daniel Bryan retired early due to issues with concussions. 

And at this point, the card for the event is far from set.

Depending on how the events at Roadblock play out, we may get Dean Ambrose vs. Roman Reigns or Reigns vs. Triple H or a Fatal 4-Way involving those men and Brock Lesnar for the WWE title. The matches for the Intercontinental Championship, United States title and tag belts haven't been announced. 

Fans don't know if the speculated-about Stardust vs. Stephen Amell bout is happening. It's not clear what Bray Wyatt's role is, if any, at The Show of Shows.

Even so, fans lined up and bought tickets at a record rate. They didn't need to wait to see what WrestleMania would look like. The spectacle of the event and the grand scale of everything that is a part of it pulled in fans.

As the Voices of Wrestling Twitter account pointed out, the brand largely sells itself:

Last year, a good number of fans were worried that Reigns wasn't ready for his spot in the main event. There were rumblings about him not being a draw. Some envisioned the marquee matchup being a disaster.

Even with all that negativity, fans flocked to California. WWE noted on its corporate website that WrestleMania 31 grossed $12.6 million thanks to over 76,000 fans attending. That set a new attendance record for Levi's Stadium.

This has been happening for years.

At WrestleMania 29, WWE broke the attendance record for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. A year later in New Orleans, WrestleMania packed in more people into the Mercedes-Benz Superdome than any other entertainment event.

This remains the pattern regardless of who is champion and what storylines are unfolding. WrestleMania isn't beholden to WWE's daily struggles. It is its own powerful beast.

In an interview with Brian Fritz of the Orlando Sentinel, McMahon said that WrestleMania is "second to the Super Bowl, and it's basically a week-long series of events. It's a huge attraction."

It's like the Super Bowl in that fans will watch regardless of who is playing. Casual fans who didn't follow the season will tune in to that big game. Folks who don't even know the difference between a touchback and a touchdown will sit on the couch and take in the Super Bowl.

WrestleMania has a similar dynamic.

Over the years, it has become a massive spectacle like no other. It's when WWE saves its biggest surprises, features its biggest cameos and often produces its biggest matches. Knowing all that, even fans who rarely keep up with Raw will find time for WrestleMania.

After the annual discussion of WWE's downturn and whether or not pro wrestling is dead, WrestleMania comes around and breaks another record to provide an emphatic counterargument to both ideas.