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Hear Jack & John's discussion of bringing the WWE Hall of Fame to Pershing
It hasn't reached top-of-mind awareness at this point in the Lincoln Arena discussion, but with construction underway on the Haymarket Arena the question over what should become of Pershing Center will soon be an important and serious community conversation.
City leaders have already been looking at the question and presented a report to Mayor Beutler on the subject in February 2009. Right now, it seems as if repurposing the building to other city functions (community center, office space, library) is the most common answer.
While any of the suggestions made so far would contribute some way to quality of life improvements for the city of Lincoln, there hasn't been as much discussion as to finding a use for Pershing that might actually become a tourism draw. Then I stumbled upon this in the Orlando Sentinel and I thought "why not Lincoln?"
Think about what an international (and yes, WWE is an international product) Hall of Fame would bring to Lincoln in the form of tourism? Wrestling fans world wide would come to our city to celebrate the legends and participate in interactive displays the likes of which are already seen in towns like Canton, Ohio (pro football), Springfield, Massachusetts (basketball) and Cooperstown, New York (baseball.) Note how those major sports all have their Halls of Fame in non-major cities.
And Pershing would be the perfect building. What better to celebrate an entertainment genre than by holding its Hall of Fame inside a old school auditorium that itself has hosted hundreds of wrestling events over it's nearly 60 year lifespan. There's more than enough space for a legends hall, large interactive displays like full scale wrestling rings, steel cages and the like. You might even be able to scale down part of the arena into a small auditorium that would be perfect for television tapings or hosting pay-per-view watch parties, induction ceremonies or banquets. You could also cut the building in half, preserving the mural side and use the east end for a parking garage.
You could argue that towns like Orlando have an already built-in tourism base from which the WWE HoF could draw from. But instead of being a sideshow in a town that is run by Mickey Mouse, why not be the main event in a town centrally located in a region that is the epicenter of wrestling fans. If you're the WWE and are wondering "why would the people come just to Lincoln to see the Hall?", I give you Interstate 80, one of the busiest east-west routes in the nation. This would be the kind of place fans would want to see as they are driving cross country.
It's admittedly a long shot. Kind of like asking Jose Luis Rivera to wrest the WWE title from Randy Orton. But considering that the WWE is in the very, very early stages of seeking a location for a HoF, here's a chance Lincoln to get out in front of this and make a pitch.
First we need you to get on board. Join our Facebook page and let's see if we can gain a little traction.
It is inspiring to see/hear that someone is thinking outside of the 'ring' on this one. It sure beats the same old stuff...move the library...which is a bad idea at best. Thanks for doing some research and presenting a very interesting and possible solution to the Pershing Center! Lets get r done.
11/18/2010 4:49PM
WWE
We can dress the Sower on top of the Capitol in a singlet and cape! Instead of holding a bag he could have another wrestler in a headlock!-David C
11/18/2010 4:57PM
WWE
Will the gift shop sell break away folding chairs, crutches? Will they sell microphone cords that can be used to strangle opponents? The kiddies will need something to remember their visits.Will there be a women's fashion section in the gift shop? High top boots with 8 inch heels? Leather and chain mail halter tops? Booty shorts?-David C
11/19/2010 2:24PM
Great Idea!
I love the idea. People are quick to discredit anything to do with wrestling, but the fact is, it is incredibly popular. Forget the scripted outcomes, the break-away chairs, and the fake punches; I get it, its fake. What isnt fake, is the face that millions of people attend wrestling events each year, across the WORLD, and the millions who tune into the television shows, and the millions of dollars spent annually on merchandise. Wrestling is very popular, and people spend a lot of money to get their wrestling fix. Landing the WWE Hall Fame in the Pershing Center is far and away better than any idea Ive heard someone propose for the soon to be empty auditorium. And, you have to admit it, you may not follow wrestling now, but everyone has a favorite wrestler they watched as a youngster. There is a little WWE in all of us. :)Why not give a family traveling I-80 a reason to stop in Lincoln for the night rather than continue on to Omaha. Heck, for all that matters, Kearney has more to do for a family traveling through our state than Lincoln does. -AB
11/22/2010 10:58AM
tgillis
Great idea who wants a book vault!
11/29/2010 10:00AM
Nikki
Love it! I'm not a wrestling fan, but I'm definitely a fan of tourism revenue.
02/17/2011 10:35PM
Moronic
What a horrible idea!! Are you guys serious about this? You are either trying to get ratings or you've been drinking on the job. This about a good of an idea as putting the College Baseball HOF in Lubbock, TX (oh wait, they did that). What connection does Lincoln have to the WWE? None. They will put it in either CT or NYC. There are other places in this country that have greater connections like FL, GA, NC and MN. If they won't have a Wrestlemania in Lincoln, then they won't put a HOF here. We can barely get PPV events in Omaha.
If you are going to come up with an idea for that eye sore, then come up with a legit proposal. This coming from a WWE fan who has been to two Wrestlemanias and HOF induction ceremonies.
Welcome to all things Jack & Dave.
Think about what an international (and yes, WWE is an international product) 
