Full disclosure.
I live in Chicago. Aside from it’s sports teams, this is the greatest city in the world. Even when it’s bitter cold and the pining for summer tears have frozen to your face. It’s a special place.
I’m biased. Sue me.
On Monday night I covered WWE Raw live at the Allstate Arena for the first time in a couple years. The last time I did, it was a few weeks before WrestleMania 40 and The Rock made a surprise appearance for a bloody angle with Cody Rhodes that led to a memorable attack in the rainy Chicago weather.
That was a helluva show and a helluva night. So, this week’s show had a lot to live up to and it reached the same heights.
Is there something in the water here? Look, WWE loads up it’s Chicago cards much like it does for New York City, Los Angeles, or other big markets. It’s not just the card that stands out, though. The performers do too.
Seth Rollins opened the show this week with a questionably meta promo filled with nonsense, but made sure to include a quick note about how he “loved this building.”
The building he’s talking about is the Allstate Arena. Formerly known as the Rosemont Horizon. Fun fact — the building actually isn’t in Chicago proper, but in a Chicago suburb called Rosemont. WWE history leaks out of the venue’s many crevices.
WrestleMania 13? Yeah, that WrestleMania. Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart. Submission match. Greatest WrestleMania match ever. That was inside the Allstate Arena. Shane McMahon jumping from the tippy top of the Backlash staging in 2001? Allstate Arena. Brock Lesnar’s return match against John Cena at Extreme Rules in 2012? Allstate Arena. CM Punk vs. John Cena at Money in the Bank? Allstate Arena.
So yeah, big time history. WWE Superstars across generations have also regularly noted over the years that the building is their favorite one to work in.
In an interview with DJD Classics, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin spoke about the building and why it’s beloved by the stars.
“We loved working Chicago’s Rosemont Horizon, because first of all, the fans are terrific. And the acoustics in that building, that’s a wooden ceiling. So when they yell, it’s kind of like hitting the gas pedal, you get an immediate response.”
I can confirm that sentiment. It was loud as hell in the building for Raw this week. The audience volume surged when the show started and the loudest pop award went to CM Punk for his return and subsequent world title win. After him? Oba Femi, Paul Heyman walking to the ring during a commercial break and therefore signaling the Oba Femi segment, Iyo Sky, Seth Rollins, and LA Knight.
It wasn’t just loud for entrances. The reactions during matches bounced off the walls. It didn’t matter what match it was, the Chicago crowd was there for it and invested. And of course, the audience loved the participation. Singing Seth’s song was a big moment for everyone, as was the group collectively belting Cult of Personality together for Punk.
Let’s talk about CM Punk for a minute. He’s a special act. Yes, across all of WWE, but especially in Chicago. He’s from here and Punk has made the city essentially part of his gimmick. He helps the aura of Chicago episodes of Raw and other WWE television shows.
Punk is teflon in Chicago. Heel, babyface, hated, loved, it doesn’t matter. Punk commands the Chicago audience and when he’s performing, there is a specialness to the work because of the outward “Chicago” character that Punk plays. There is a connection between the fans in this city and Punk that is hard to describe.
This week, when the world title picture was flipped on it’s head to start the show and Cody Rhodes was beaten up and not allowed to wrestle for the world title, the hum for CM Punk began. Fans knew what was happening. They knew that Punk was the surprise, but they wanted to be surprised so they played along.
WWE has an ace up their sleeve with Punk in Chicago. They can mask what would be unpopular booking moves, by deploying certain ones with Punk in this city. Sami Zayn is a beloved WWE figure. WWE had the gall to take the world title off of him just nine days after he put it on his shoulder for the first time? They had business to do, but that business would most certainly have received a different reaction had it happened in another WWE market. In Chicago? It’s raucously cheered because of CM Punk.
I’ve already said I’m biased, but I don’t think I’m crazy. It’s safe to say that Chicago packs an extra punch. Even outside of the major stars this week, the others on the card had an extra spring in their step.
Sol Ruca and Raquel Rodriguez had the unenviable task of following an exciting tag team match, while also fighting a hyped audience that needed more beer, food, and a trip to the bathroom. They were the cooldown match, but hit a high gear. Ruca’s high-flying had a lot to do with it, but both women seemed motivated to bring it and pull the crowd back in. They succeeded.
Even Rusev stood out. You can never fully tell when that guy is engaged or not, but he was on one this week. Energetic, selling — like, working. It’s the Chicago punch.
Demographically, the crowd was filled up with mostly 25-45 year olds and families. Kids didn’t have school on Monday, so the night was their oyster to do what they wanted with. Everything meshed just fine in that regard.
Now, the one thing that surprised me most about the show and the audience this week? This Chicago crowd ate what they were fed. They played along nicer than I’ve ever seen before. Beach balls? What beach balls? It was a little jarring, but also indicative of the punch I’m talking about. This audience wanted a hefty dose of the current WWE product. Flaws and all. They were ready and they showed it.
WWE will be back here. Certainly before one the Chicago sports teams wins a world championship. It’s a city that just won’t burn out.
Fun question. Has anyone seen a WWE show inside the Allstate Arena? If so, when and what did you think? Let us know in the comments.
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