So much of the allure of watching wrestling is the presentation, spectacle, and grandeur. As wrestling evolvedin terms of its production values, entrance sets became more impressive visually. Most weekly wrestling shows commonly use the same entrance set for months or even years, but Pay-Per-Views usually have their own identity.
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Shows such as SummerSlam or Bash at the Beach commonly have used more summer based presentations, whereas themed shows like Money in the Bank will incorporate ladders into the entrance design. In the modern era, LED lights have been a common feature, and although this has put a stop to some spectacular designs, it has made for some particularlyimpressivevisuals.
10 WCW Bash at the Beach 1996
Bash at the Beach 1996 had a rather unique set design. In fitting with the beach theme of the event, the entrance had a beach-like design - complete with sand, palm trees, a beach hut, surfboards, and a wooden walkway.
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This was the pay-per-view that changed the course of wrestling history. Hulk Hogan turned his back on the WCW to join Scott Hall and Kevin Nash and form the NWO, which shocked wrestling audiences worldwide. An iconic design fitting for an iconic event.
9 WWE WrestleMania XXIV
WrestleMania XXIV was early on inWWE having its biggest show of the year held in outdoor stadiums. This event was held at the Florida Citrus Bowl, with 74,000 fans packing out the venue to see Floyd Mayweather take on the Big Show, Shawn Michaels retire Ric Flair, and Undertaker vs Edge.
The hugeskyline-like structure, complete with LED lights was a very impressive visual, and the palm trees on each side were a nice touch. This was great to look at not just for the fans in attendance, but for the fans at home, as this was the first WrestleMania to be broadcast in High Definition.
8 WWE Capitol Punishment 2011
In recent times, WWE has used LED lights for their entrance sets. These can sometimes look pretty generic, but for Capitol Punishment 2011, it produced a pretty cool design.
The event was held in, as the name of the Pay-Per-View suggests, the US capitol Washington, D.C. Appropriately, the stage design for theshowwas of the US Capitol building in Washington, D.C. This was a pretty cool design and made good use of the LED effects.
7 WWE SummerSlam 1998
Madison Square Garden Pay-Per-Views always had a unique set design whenever WWE came to town. SummerSlam 1998 was billed as the 'Highway to Hell,' so the set reflected this with the gates and red backdrop giving it a 'hellish' feel.
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Noted also for its short entrance ramp, this made it different from all other WWE events. It was sometimes distracting to see crew members walking in and out of the gate during the Pay-Per-View, but judging this solely on the visual, then this is one of the best showsets.
6 WWE TLC 2009
TLC 2009 had one of the most impressive set designs. In fitting with the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs concept of the event, the entrance for this pay-per-view had tables, ladders, and chairs hanging high above.
This was a great visual and fitted well with the theme of the event. The LED lights added to the effect with the 'Tables, Ladders and Chairs' sign above. The titantron and WWE logo added to the spectacle, making this one of the most impressive entrance ways of any WWE event.
5 WWE King of the Ring 2001
Staying on the trend of entrance sets that match the theme of the event is King of the Ring 2001. This set featured a giant throne with 'KOTR' on it and plate glass windows, which Shane McMahon was thrown through afew times by Kurt Angle.
This was an impressive looking entrance design that was appropriate for a King of the Ring Pay-Per-View. Anyevent set design that can double up as a weapon is a win-win, even though it was sand glass Shane McMahon was supposed to be thrown through and not normal glass.
4 WWE Backlash 2000
This was the entrance set that was so good it was used not once, not twice, but three different times. Backlash 2000, 2001, and 2002 all used this design, such was the quality of it. The swinging sickles were the center-piece of this set, and it was certainly a unique feature.
At Backlash 2000 Matt Hardy climbed one of the sickles during the match for the Hardcore title and dived onto the other participants. Perry Saturn even used it as a weapon, dropping Crash Holly over it. It was pretty cool that most of these entrance designs during this period could be used as part of a match.
3 WWE WrestleMania 33
WrestleMania entrance sets always look specular in the modern era. With the LED lights a common feature in most WWEset designs, this makes their WrestleMania's look all the more special.
WrestleMania 33 was one of WWE's mostawesome looking designs. With the LEDand spotlighting, along with visual effects - this was one of the best looking PPV sets in the history of wrestling. An enormous stage and globe with 'WrestleMania' on it added to the grandeur. A stage appropriate for a WrestleMania.
2 WWE WrestleMania XXX
WrestleMania XXX was memorable for many reasons. This landmarkevent had adesign to fit the occasion, consisting of a large WrestleMania sign and the Roman numerals XXXas part of the entrance. The long entrance ramp, which has become a tradition at most modern Manias, added to the spectacle.
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This was one of the most beloved WrestleManias of all time thanks to Daniel Bryanfinally reaching the top of the WWE mountain. It was also the Mania when the Undertaker's undefeated streak was finally beaten by Brock Lesnar. It was a memorableshow and had a stage to fit the occasion.
1 WCW Halloween Havoc 1998
WCW had a lot of elaborate entrance designs in the mid-90s, and Halloween Havoc 1998 was no different.The visual of a gargoyle demon holding a pumpkin with the Halloween Havoc logo 'carved' into it was pretty impressive looking. The tombstones, dry ice and smoke effects added to the visual, making this a stand out in Pay-Per-View set designs.
This design fit the Halloween themedshows perfectly, and it was an entrance set worthy of the event itself. In this period,WCW was on the cutting-edge in terms of their set designs, and this was the best of the lot.
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