15 wrestling-themed events to celebrate Royal Rumble week
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Royal Rumble week in Indianapolis will be one to remember. Photo: WWE/Getty Images
This week, Indianapolis will become the pro wrestling capital of the world.
The big picture: Friday Night SmackDown at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium are about to drop tens of thousands of wrestling fans onto the Circle City.
Why it matters: The fun isn't limited to dedicated members of the WWE Universe. The entire city is slapping its tightest spandex and tagging in non-fans too.
- Here are 15 wrestling-themed attractions to check out even if you aren't ready to rumble.
📚 Remember wrestlers gone too soon at Strange Bird when the Books, Booze & Brains monthly book club discusses "The Squared Circle," 6:30pm Tuesday. Free.
🏀 Snag a Tyrese Haliburton bobblehead during WWE Night at Gainbridge when the Pacers take on the Pistons, 7pm Wednesday.
- Tickets start at $11.
🎉 Catch four days of local art, music and wrestling courtesy of Naptown All Pro during their Combat Crossroads Festival at Fountain Square Theatre.
- The festival features eight events Thursday-Sunday.
- Four-day festival package tickets start at $199.
- Solo event tickets vary. Click here for the full schedule.
🎙️ Listen to live shows from two of wrestling's premiere podcasters at Helium Comedy Club.
- Sam Roberts will deliver the "Notsam Podcast" at 5:30pm Thursday. Tickets start at $27.
- Chris Van Vliet will present a special edition of "Insight with Chris Van Vliet" at 5pm Friday. Tickets start at $37.
🤼 Meet some of the biggest names in wrestling from WWE and beyond during WrestleCon at Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 2-6pm Friday and 10am-3pm Saturday.
- Free admission. Meet and greets with wrestlers vary in price.
- Check out the pricing and a full list of legends here.
😂 See a wrestling-themed comedy show when the Working Class Rumble hits White Rabbit Cabaret, 8pm Thursday.
- Tickets start at $20.
🍗 Chow down on "Macho Man Nachos" and "Crossface Chicken Wings" when Imbibe Bar hosts Wrestlemania X-Seven. 5pm Friday. 21+ only.
🤝 Swap vintage merch with fellow wrestling fans at Upland Brewing Co. in Fountain Square, 2-8pm Friday and 11am-5pm Saturday.
🏋️ Work up a sweat in your spandex during Dress Like A Wrestler Day at Glutes 317, all day Saturday.
🕺 Rock out at the free Royal Rumble After Party at World Famous Hotboys, 9pm Saturday.
🎮 Stop by Tappers Arcade to play retro wrestling games during the Button Mash Royale, 12-5pm Saturday. 21+ only.
🎨 Take a selfie with a mural honoring WWE legends by local Fountain Fletcher artist JD Bills outside Murphy Arts Center.
🎤 Experience a day of WWE fandom with a side of rap battles when the Chreece team hosts Top Rope Tailgate at The Hangar, 1-11:30pm Saturday.
- Tickets start at $30.
🙌 Witness the return of WrestleARTS to Indy when WrestleARTS XXI goes down at The Irving Theater, 12pm Saturday.
- Tickets start at $15.
🍕 For the foodies, the following Fountain Fletcher eateries are rolling out wrestling-themed food and drink specials all week long. Check out the deals here.
- Chilly Water Brewing
- Crazy Neighborhood Bar
- Dugout Bar
- Easy Rider Diner
- Hotel Tango
- LaMargartia
- Mr. Tequila's Cantina
- Super Tortas Lucha Libre
- Sam's Silver Circle
- The Selene
- Wildfyre Tap
- World Famous Hotboys