WrestleMania 22 Blog

The time has finally arrived for WrestleMania 22 Weekend! Check back late tomorrow night for full coverage of the WrestleMania 22 Press Conference and the 4th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge. Below are the latest news updates regarding WrestleMania 22

On Monday, The Daily Herald had a WrestleMania 22 pullout section. On the back page, it said to check out ticketmaster throughout the week for tickets that are being released for the WWE Hall of Fame, Wrestlemania 22, and Raw. I was checking earlier today and there were 2 tickets available 8th row ringside for WrestleMania. These tickets were held for production, and are now being released for the fans. If you would like to try your luck, use the links below and you just may get lucky and get the tickets you were looking for. Here are the links:

WrestleMania 22

2006 WWE Hall of Fame

Raw

As reported last night, Jim Ross will be replacing Joey Styles for the Raw side of WrestleMania 22. Click here to read what Jim Ross had to say about the situation. Click here to read Joey Styles reaction.

Bret Hart did an interview with SI.com regarding his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame and whether or not he will be at WrestleMania 22. Click here to check it out

Every morning from now until Friday, a different WWE Superstar will be on the WGN Morning News. This morning, The Big Show and Maria were both guests. Click here to watch this video.

Finally, Booker T, Sharmell, and JBL will be on the Mancow show at 8 A.M. Central Time. To see if you can listen to Mancow, click here.

Tomorrow at 8AM Central Time, The Big Show and Maria will be on Mancow's Morning Madhouse, which is broadcast in Chicago on Q101. Fear not if you don't live in Chicago though, his show is syndicated throughout the country. To see if you can listen to Mancow, click here. Check back tomorrow and Thursday for more of Mancow's upcoming guests throughout the week,

According to PWI, WrestleMania 23 has been confirmed to be coming to Ford Field in Detroit, MI. Next year will be the 20 year anniversary of the biggest WrestleMania of all time, Wrestlemania III, which took place from the Pontiac Silverdome.

For full results of the last Raw before WrestleMania 22, click here

It was announced last tonight that S.D. Jones will be inducting Tony Atlas into the WWE Hall of Fame, and John Cena will be inducting William Perry in as well.

Also, it was announced that Jerry Lawler will be hosting the 2006 WWE Hall of Fame. Why not Jim Ross you ask? Because he'll be calling the Raw matches the next night at WrestleMania 22

It's hard to believe, but WrestleMania 22 is one week away! Below is the final comprehensive list of all the WWE appearances in the Chicagoland area. If any appearances are added during the week they will be added to this list. The events listed in bold are the events that I will be covering for this site. I will be posting a ton of pictures from all of the events, and maybe some video using my digital camera as well. Also, all media coverage from Chicago will be posted, including any local newspaper articles, and if I am able to get around to it, transcripts of any radio or television appearances. For those who are interested, the WWE Fan Axxess Tour will be making a stop at Woodfield Mall this Friday, and I would love to meet anyone who has been visiting this site over the past year. I am not sure if there is going to be a Smackdown Viewing Party, but I will be at the mall from 5 to 7 P.M. for the autograph session, and I will stay for the viewing party if there is one. If you would be interested in meeting up with fellow WWE fans who visit this site, send me an e-mail using the link provided on the righthand side of the page with the subject "Woodfield Mall". Thats it for now, I'll be back tomorrow night with Raw results and the latest WrestleMania 22 news.

Wrestlemania Week Appearences
Fan Axxess Tour Dates
March 29, 2006 – Orland Park, IL
Toys-R-Us Orland Park
45 Orland Square Drive
12:00pm - 7:00pm
Superstar Billy Graham Appearance 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Beginning March 2, the first 500 guests who purchase WWE products worth $20 or more at Toys “R” Us Orland Park will receive a ticket to meet “Superstar” Billy Graham. Ticket holders will receive Billy Graham’s autograph during a special event on March 29.

March 31, 2006 – Schaumburg, IL
Woodfield Mall, Comcast Connections Court
5 Woodfield Shopping Center
3:00pm - 9:00pm
Superstars RVD, Matt Hardy, Lashley, and Ashley Appearances 5:00 - 7:00pm

April 1, 2006 – Schaumburg, IL
Woodfield Mall, Comcast Connections Court
5 Woodfield Shopping Center
12:00pm - 8:00pm
Superstars Paul Birchhill, Trevor Murdoch, Lance Cade, Animal, and Val Venis Appearances 12:00 - 1:30pm

April 2, 2006 – Rosemont, IL
Allstate Arena Parking Area
6920 N. Mannheim Rd
12:00 - 4:00pm
Superstar Appearances throughout the day

Appearences and EventsFrom Monday, March 27, through Sunday, April 2, exclusive Wrestlemania 22 merchandise and Superstar items will be available at The Chicago Sports Store in the Nordstrom Mall located at 520 North Michigan Avenue, The Chicago Sports Store located at 328 North Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, The Wyndham O'Hare Hotel located at 6810 North Manheim Avenue in Rosemont, The Hyatt Hotel located at 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont, the Rosemont Theater and Allstate Arena.

Tuesday, March 28
VIRGIN MEGASTORE, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Candice will be signing autographs at VIRGIN MEGASTORE at 540 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

According to the Chicago Virgin Megastore subsite, Candice will only sign copies of the April 2006 Playboy magazine, which she is on the cover. Copies of the April 2006 Playboy will be on hand for purchase. Also, no photographs of fans with Candice will be allowed. Fans will only be allowed to take pictures of Candice by herself, as they approach the signing table. Here's the link:
http://www.virginmegamagazine.com/default.asp?vms=12

Starting Wednesday, March 29, WWE Superstars will appear on "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" on Q101 and on local television shows through Friday.

WWE Superstars also will start their visits to 16 high schools in the Chicagoland School District as part of WWE's Get R.E.A.L. Read "Big Time Reading Challenge" with the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), Comcast, and the Chicago Public Schools Department of Libraries. The WWE Superstars will talk to thousands of students about the importance of reading.

Wednesday, March 29 5-7 p.m.
Best Buy (Store #305) 900 E. Golf Road , Schaumburg, IL 60173
Attend an Autograph Session with Maria and Victoria, who will be signing the Divas Do New York 2006 DVD.

Wednesday, March 29 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits, 1300 N Lewis Ave. Waukegan, IL 60085
Meet Rob Van Dam at an Autograph Session from 4:30 - 6 p.m.

Wednesday, March 29 6-7 p.m.
Chicago Sports Store 328 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
Meet Trevor Murdoch & Tyson Tomko for an Autograph session from 6-7 p.m. For more information please call (312)641-6106.

Thursday, March 30 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits, 221 E. Rollins Rd. Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
Meet Chris Benoit at an Autograph Session from 4:30 - 6 p.m.

Thursday, March 30 7 p.m.
Chicago Cycle 3450 West Touhy Ave, Skokie, IL
Matt Hardy, Victoria, and Gregory Helms will be signing autographs at Chicago Cycle from 7-9 p.m.

Thursday, March 30 7-9 p.m.
Tower Records #812 383 W. Army Trail Road , Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Meet Triple H at a book signing for "Making The Game"

Thursday, March 30 12-2 p.m.
Chicago Theatre 175 N. State Street, Chicago, IL
The WrestleMania 22 Press Conference will feature:
(From RAW) Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Triple H, Candice Michelle, Carlito, Coach (Host)
(From SmackDown) Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Booker T, Sharmell, Mark Henry, JBL, Michael Cole (Host). Space is limited for this event.

Thursday, March 30 5-10 p.m.
House of Blues 329 N. Dearborn , Chicago, IL
These Superstars will participate in the WWE/THQ Superstar Challenge:
Coach, Teddy Long, Shelton Benjamin, Orlando Jordon, Trish Stratus, Melina, Carlito, Mr. Kennedy, Steven Richards, Chris Masters, Lita, Kristal, Edge, Paul London, John Cena, Joey Mercury, RVD, & Johnny Nitro.

Thurs., March 30
Scotty 2 Hotty will be appearing at the merchandise stand located at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont, IL. The appearance will take place between 6-7 p.m.

Thurs., March 30
Jamie Noble will be appearing at the merchandise stand located at the Wyndham Hotel at 6810 N. Manneheim Road in Rosemont, IL. The appearance will take place between 6-7 p.m.

On Friday, March 31, 150 students from the Chicagoland School District will compete in the "Big Time Reading Challenge" finals at Robert Morris College Center. The event will be hosted by WWE SmackDown(R) Superstar Rey Mysterio(R) and WWE RAW(R) Superstar and current Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin(TM), along with YALSA President Pam Spencer Holley and young adult author Chris Crutcher.

Friday, March 31 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits, 5711 S La Grange Rd. Countryside, IL 60525
Meet Booker T at an Autograph Session from 4:30 - 6 p.m.

Fri., March 31
Eugene & Mickie James will participate in a merchandise signing at the Chicago Sports Store at the Nordstrom Mall at 520 N. Michigan Ave. The signing will take place between 6-7 p.m.

Friday, March 31 6-8 p.m.
Gameworks, Schaumburg, IL
John Cena will be signing autographs at Gameworks at 601 N. Martingdale Road (Suite 115), Schaumburg, Illinois (Located at The Streets of Woodfield Mall).

According to Q101.com, autographs will be limited to the first 500 people. This event is a Q101-sponsored event, with Jim Jesus from the Mancow show on hand to represent Q101. Here's the link from Q101.com:
http://www.q101.com/win/wwe_gameworks.aspx

Friday, March 31 5-7 p.m.
Best Buy (Store #323) 1000 W. North Ave , Chicago, IL 60622
Attend an Autograph Session with Torrie Wilson & Trish Stratus, who will be signing the Divas Do New York 2006 DVD.

Saturday, April 1 11:30-1:30 p.m.
Best Buy 900 E. Golf Road Schaumburg
Meet Randy Orton at an Autograph Signing from 11:30-1:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 1 12-2 p.m.
Borders Books & Music #58 830 N. Michigan, Chicago, IL
Meet Shawn Michaels at a book signing for Heartbreak & Triumph from 12-2 p.m.

Additional information at this link:
http://www.bordersstores.com/events/event_detail.jsp?SEID=71832

On Saturday night, April 1, WWE will induct several WWE Legends into its Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held at the sold-out Rosemont Theater. Portions of the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented locally by Chicago Cycle, will be broadcast on the USA Network on Saturday, April 1, at 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT.

On Sunday morning, April 2, at its annual "Bacon, Bagels and Biceps Brunch," WWE will honor its Circle of Champions, a dozen children and teens from around the United States (including Chicago), Canada and Australia. These individuals are honored for having shown courage in dealing with serious illnesses or disabilities. The organizations participating in the event are: Make-A-Wish Foundation; Wishing Star of Spokane, Wash.; Wishing Well Foundation USA of Metairie, La.; and Sunshine Dreams for Kids of Canada. Hosts: Joey Styles & Josh Matthews
Special Appearance by Hall of Famer Jimmy "Mouth of the South" Hart
Q&A with such Superstars as: Animal, Maria, Orlando Jordan, Mr. Kennedy and others

At 5:30 p.m. (CT), it's the Main Event, WrestleMania 22, presented by Snickers, at the sold-out Allstate Arena.

Monday, April 3 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tower Records 1209 E. Golf Road, Schaumber, IL
Meet Candice at a Playboy signing from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Due to the overwhelming demand, WWE will invade the Allstate Arena for one more night, as "Monday Night RAW" will be broadcast live on Monday, April 3, on USA Network starting at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

Here is the final lineup for the 2006 WWE Hall of Fame:

Bret Hart (inducted by Steve Austin)

Eddie Guerrero (inducted by Chavo Guerrero, Chris Benoit, and Rey Mysterio)

Gene Okerlund (inducted by Hulk Hogan)

"Sensational" Sherri (inducted by "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase)

Verne Gagne (inducted by Greg Gagne)

The Blackjacks (inducted by Bobby Heenan)

William "The Refridgerator" Perry(Inducted by John Cena)

Tony Atlas(inducted by S.D. Jones)

For those of you not lucky enough to be going to the induction ceremony, you cant watch the first two hours on WWE.com from 9-11 E.T., and then the final hour at 11 PM E.T. on USA network. For more information, click here



WWEShop has released the 2006 WWE Hall of Fame T-Shirt, which you can check out here

World Wrestling Entertainment(R) Blows 'Big Time' Into Chicago Starting Tuesday, March 28, With a Series of Public Events as Part of WrestleMania(R) 22 Week

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2006--World Wrestling Entertainment will invade the Chicago area from Tuesday, March 28, through Sunday, April 2, with a series of autograph signings, radio and television appearances, school programs, a high school reading challenge, and a 2006 WWE(R) Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, all leading up to the presentation of WWE's annual "Big Time" live event and pay-per-view pop culture extravaganza, WrestleMania 22.

On Sunday, April 2, WWE will present WrestleMania 22 at Rosemont's Allstate Arena before a capacity crowd of more than 15,000 people from 16 countries and 43 states. All available seats for WrestleMania 22 sold in less than two minutes in October.

For those not attending, WrestleMania 22 can be purchased on pay-per-view through local cable affiliates or satellite providers, and will be seen in more than 90 countries.

The fun begins on Tuesday, March 28, when WWE Diva Candice Michelle(TM) has an autograph signing at Virgin Records on Michigan Avenue, the first of several "WWE Fan Frenzy" appearances by WWE Superstars and Legends at Toys'R'Us, Best Buy, Tower Records, Chicago Cycle, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, Gameworks, and other locations.

Starting Wednesday, March 29, WWE Superstars will appear on "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" on Q101 and on local television shows through Friday.

WWE Superstars also will start their visits to 16 high schools in the Chicagoland School District as part of WWE's Get R.E.A.L. Read "Big Time Reading Challenge" with the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), Comcast, and the Chicago Public Schools Department of Libraries. The WWE Superstars will talk to thousands of students about the importance of reading.

On Thursday, March 30, at noon, WWE Superstars will hold a news conference at the Chicago Theatre, which WWE fans are encouraged to attend. Starting at 4 p.m., fans can watch their favorite Superstars compete in a video game competition at the third annual THQ Superstar Challenge at the House of Blues.

On Friday, March 31, 150 students from the Chicagoland School District will compete in the "Big Time Reading Challenge" finals at Robert Morris College Center. The event will be hosted by WWE SmackDown(R) Superstar Rey Mysterio(R) and WWE RAW(R) Superstar and current Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin(TM), along with YALSA President Pam Spencer Holley and young adult author Chris Crutcher.

On Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, WWE's "WrestleMania 22 Fan Axxess Tour," which has been crossing the United States since mid-January, makes its final stop at the Woodfield Mall in Schaumberg, Ill. WWE Superstars and Legends will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs. Presenting sponsor of the tour is the National Guard.

On Saturday night, April 1, WWE will induct several WWE Legends into its Hall of Fame, including Bret "Hit Man" Hart, who will be inducted by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin(TM), and the late Eddie Guerrero, who will be inducted by his nephew, WWE RAW Superstar Chavo Guerrero(TM), WWE SmackDown Superstar Chris Benoit(R) and WWE SmackDown Superstar Rey Mysterio. Among others to be inducted are: Gene Okerlund by Hulk Hogan(TM), "Sensational" Sherri by "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase; and Verne Gagne by his son, Greg. The ceremony will be held at the sold-out Rosemont Theater. Portions of the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented locally by Chicago Cycle, will be broadcast on the USA Network on Saturday, April 1, at 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT.

From Monday, March 27, through Sunday, April 2, exclusive Wrestlemania 22 merchandise and Superstar items will be available at The Chicago Sports Store in the Nordstrom Mall located at 520 North Michigan Avenue, The Chicago Sports Store located at 328 North Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, The Wyndham O'Hare Hotel located at 6810 North Manheim Avenue in Rosemont, The Hyatt Hotel located at 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont, the Rosemont Theater and Allstate Arena. Talent will be visiting the retail locations throughout the week to sign autographs and meet with fans.

On Sunday morning, April 2, at its annual "Bacon, Bagels and Biceps Brunch," WWE will honor its Circle of Champions, a dozen children and teens from around the United States (including Chicago), Canada and Australia. These individuals are honored for having shown courage in dealing with serious illnesses or disabilities. The organizations participating in the event are: Make-A-Wish Foundation; Wishing Star of Spokane, Wash.; Wishing Well Foundation USA of Metairie, La.; and Sunshine Dreams for Kids of Canada.

Then, at 5:30 p.m. (CT), it's the Main Event, WrestleMania 22, presented by Snickers, at the sold-out Allstate Arena.

Due to the overwhelming demand, WWE will invade the Allstate Arena for one more night, as "Monday Night RAW" will be broadcast live on Monday, April 3, on USA Network starting at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

More information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For a complete list of WrestleMania Week activities, please visit Appearances at wrestlemania.com.

In what is great news being a lifelong Bears fan, it has been announced on PWI that William "The Fridge" Perry is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame's Celebrity Wing! Perry took place in the NFL/WWF Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 2 which also took place at the Rosemont Horizon. In tribute to The Fridge, here are his lyrics from the greatest song ever composed, The Super Bowl Shuffle, made by the greatest NFL Team in history, the '85 Bears

You're lookin' at the Fridge,
I'm the rookie.
I may be large, but I'm no dumb cookie.
You've seen me hit, you've seen me run,
When I kick and pass, we'll have more fun.
I can dance, you will see
The others, they all learn from me.
I don't come here lookin' for trouble,
I just came here to do
The Super Bowl Shuffle.

Also, Tony Atlas is confirmed to be inducted this year into the WWE Hall of Fame. To view William "The Refrigerator" Perry's profile, click here. To view Tony Atlas profile, click here.

According to PWI, the expectation within WWE is that Jim Ross will be back with the company to host the Hall of Fame ceremonies, with a lot of talk being that he will call a match at WrestleMania as well.

WWE.com is reporting that Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child will be singing America the Beautiful at WrestleMania 22.

It has also been reported by WWE.com that P.O.D. will play Rey Mysterio to the ring, performing his theme song "Booyaka 619"

The following is a press release issued by THQ. Expect full coverage of all WrestleMania Weekend Activites here on the blog. Thanks to Qumar for sending this in


THQ Kicks Off WrestleMania(R) 22 Weekend in Chicago With Fourth Annual THQ Superstar Challenge

Premiere Video Game Competition to Feature World Wrestling Entertainment(R) Superstars and a Performance by Shinedown

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI - News) on behalf of THQ/JAKKS Pacific, LLC today announced preliminary details for the fourth annual THQ Superstar Challenge. Taking over the House of Blues in downtown Chicago on March 30, 16 elite Superstars from World Wrestling Entertainment will challenge one another in a no-holds-barred competition featuring THQ/JAKKS Pacific's critically acclaimed WWE® SmackDown® vs. RAW® 2006 video game for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

"Hosting the THQ Superstar Challenge is our way of thanking WWE and its talented Superstars for their hard work and dedication, while celebrating the continued success of the THQ/JAKKS Pacific video game franchise," said Kelly Flock, executive vice president, worldwide publishing, THQ. "We recognize the long hours required in making the WWE video games and are always pleased to see the Superstars enjoy the finished products."

"The THQ Superstar Challenge is the ultimate kickoff to a weekend of great WrestleMania 22 entertainment in Chicago," said Monty Ross, director, consumer marketing, World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. "We are excited to be involved with this amazing opportunity for WWE fans to watch their favorite Superstars compete in a thrilling video game competition."

"JAKKS Pacific is proud to once again be part of this year's big pre-WrestleMania THQ Superstar Challenge," said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. "The anticipation of the WWE video game competition is always a highlight of WrestleMania weekend."

About The THQ Superstar Challenge

The fourth annual THQ Superstar Challenge will take place at the House of Blues in downtown Chicago on Thursday, March 30 at 6:00 p.m. A total of 16 Superstars will compete in a bracket-style tournament to decide who will be crowned the ultimate competitor on THQ/JAKKS Pacific's WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2006 video game. Reigning Challenge champion Shelton Benjamin(TM) will defend his title while the competition threatens to steal the show and earn bragging rights among fellow Superstars and WWE fans.

Following the video game competition, Atlantic Records recording artist Shinedown will command the House of Blues stage. Touring in support of Us And Them, the hard-rocking Jacksonville, Florida band's second album and follow-up to its 2003 platinum debut, Leave A Whisper, Shinedown is poised to support the THQ Superstar Challenge prior to WrestleMania 22 at Allstate Arena on Sunday, April 2.

THQ Superstar Challenge is open to the public. Tickets are $20 each and went on sale through Ticketmaster beginning March 11.

THQ Superstar Challenge Participants

RAW Roster: Shelton Benjamin, Chris Masters(TM), Lita®, Edge®, John Cena®, Carlito(TM), Rob Van Dam®, Trish Stratus® and Coach(TM) (host)

SmackDown Roster: Steven Richards(TM), Paul London(TM), Orlando Jordan(TM), Melina(TM), Mercury(TM), Nitro(TM), Kristal(TM), Ken Kennedy(TM) and Teddy Long(TM) (host)

* Participant roster subject to change

For Complete 3/21 Raw Results, click here

Tonight it was also announced that Bobby "The Brain" Heenan will be inducting The Blackjacks into the WWE Hall of Fame

For the complete 3/13 Raw Report, Click Here

Also tonight on Raw it was announced that Ted Dibiase will be inducting Sensational Sherri into the 2006 WWE Hall of Fame, along with Verne Gagne being inducted by his son Greg Gagne. While its great to see that The Million Dollar Man will be there, I wish he was being inducted instead, as he was one of the great heels of the WWF.

Triple H will be signing autographs on 3/30 at the Tower Records in Bloomingdale, IL starting at 7 p.m. He will only sign autographs of his book, "Triple H: Making the Game". For more information click here

WWE.com posted last night on the Appearances page that Candice Michelle would have another Playboy signing in the Chicagoland area. The appearance is scheduled for Monday, April 3rd, the day after WM22, from 11a.m. to 1p.m. at the Tower Records in Schaumburg, IL. The store is located at 1209 E. Golf Rd. Click here for more information

During the weekend of March 25th and 26th, Chicago Cycle is having a "March Madness Open House". They will be giving away free food and prizes at the door. But, the big thing is they're giving away what they call the "World Wrestling Prize Pack", which includes 2 tickets to the HOF ceremony, the Brunch, and WrestleMania 22. Chicago Cycle is located close by the Lincolnwood Town Center, by the corner of McCormick and Touhy. The address is 3450 W. Touhy Ave in Skokie. Click here for a flyer

The Jewel/Osco Wrestlemania 22 Promotion has started. The grand prize is 4 tickets to Wrestlemania 22. First prize is 4 tickets to the 4/3 RAW. And, 50 second prizes are a Wrestlemania 22 t-shirt and hat. If you want to enter the contest, you need to send your name, address, age, and daytime phone number to the following address:

Pepsi/WWE Sweepstakes
3075 Tollview Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

The sweepstakes ends on March 22nd and only people 13+ from IL, IN, and WI can enter.

Thanks to Qumar for helping out with the info

WWE.com has added the following appearences for the week of Wrestlemania -



Thursday, March 30 7 p.m.
Chicago Cycle, Skokie, IL

Matt Hardy, Victoria, and Gregory Helms will be signing autographs at Chicago Cycle, 3450 West Touhy Avenue, Skokie, Illinois.



Friday, March 31 6:00 p.m.
Gameworks, Schaumburg, IL

John Cena will be signing autographs at Gameworks at 601 N. Martingdale Road (Suite 115), Schaumburg, Illinois (Located at The Streets of Woodfield Mall).

For those interested, tickets have just gone on sale for the 4th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge Thursday, March 30th at the House of Blues in Downtown Chicago. Click here to get tickets (while they last)

Check out the links to the right under the Wrestlemania 22 logo to play brand new Wrestlemania 22 Games! You can play Big Time Divas Slots, Memory Mania, and four Wrestlemania puzzles. Winning or solving these games will all give you an exclusive video clip.

Here is a press release released today by the WWE on their marketing plans for Wrestlemania 22. Those plans which involve the Chicagoland area will be in bold.

WWE Takes "Big Time" Approach to Marketing Blitz for WrestleMania 22

STAMFORD, Conn., March 7, 2006 – WWE is capitalizing on its recent momentum by mounting its biggest-ever promotional campaign for pay-per-view’s perennial champion live event, WrestleMania 22. The event, which sold out in less than two minutes in October, will take place at Chicago’s Rosemont’s Allstate Arena on Sunday, April 2, 2006, and can be purchased on pay-per-view through cable and satellite providers.

The multi-million dollar build up to the WrestleMania 22 spectacular includes a joint promotion with NBC Universal, as well as promotions with Snickers, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, Game Stop, EB Games, and Toys ‘R’ Us. An affiliate-powered Fan Axxess Tour is crossing the U.S. sponsored by the National Guard. A two-month viral E-Marketing effort is planned, as is free on-demand programming to drive pay-per-view sales. And there will be a host of out-of-home and guerilla marketing tactics, such as billboard signage, WrestleMania pizza boxes, and much more.

All promotions are being built around this year’s WrestleMania 22 theme, “WrestleMania Big Time.” The theme is the perfect fit for a brand that gained significant momentum in 2005 with the successful return of cable titan “Monday Night Raw®” to USA Network, the successful move of the venerable UPN SmackDown® franchise from Thursday to Friday night, and a bevy of stellar pay-per-view spectaculars, sold-out arena events, and record-breaking DVD sales.

“This year is our most ambitious slate of national promotions ever, with many new elements designed to help affiliates make the most of WrestleMania 22, which promises to be another pay-per-view blockbuster,” said Kurt Schneider, Executive Vice President, Marketing. “With all of this aggressive consumer reach, we plan on bringing in millions of viewers. WrestleMania is Big Time, indeed.”

WWE will support the WrestleMania 22 pay-per-view blockbuster with a high-profile campaign of unique television, print and outdoor advertising in national media and major local markets. WWE’s campaign, through independent agencies Horizon Media and MacDonald Media, features commercials on local broadcast and cable television, national network radio ads, extensive billboard and transit advertising in 12 major markets, and the most aggressive online and interactive marketing program in WWE’s history. Additional tactics include:

CABLE: WWE is working with the hometown operator for the event, Comcast Chicago, to execute the first-ever local ad sales opportunities tied to WrestleMania. Comcast Chicago Spotlight client, Chicago Cycles, will serve as the local sponsor of WWE’s Hall of Fame event and local promotional partner for both the Hall of Fame event and WrestleMania 22 pay-per-view. Cable affiliates, such as Comcast, Time-Warner and Charter, have partnered with the National Guard sponsored WrestleMania 22 Fan Axxess Tour as it passes through local markets. WWE also is offering an affiliate incentive program to cable operators, offering a WWE Superstar to participate in local community events for those cable affiliates that achieve the highest WrestleMania pay-per-view buys, most improved WrestleMania pay-per-view buy rates, and most creative marketing tactics.

VOD: WrestleMania 22 is being aggressively promoted via WWE 24/7™On Demand, which is devoting its entire month of March to WrestleMania-themed programming. In addition, WWE is offering all affiliates a free on-demand program, “WrestleMania’s Big Time Moments,” to drive sales for the April 2 pay-per-view event.

SATELLITE: DirecTV and DISH both offered “Road to WrestleMania 22” pay-per-view bundles that provided discounts on WWE pay-per-views New Year’s Revolution™, Royal Rumble®, and No Way Out®. Both satellite services also are using “WrestleMania’s Big Time Moments” as a promotional driver to encourage their consumers to purchase WrestleMania 22.

DIRECT MAIL: More than 1.2 million pieces of WrestleMania 22 direct mail are being distributed by cable affiliates and satellite providers in North America. WWE also will be firing off email blasts to close to one million WWE fans. Subscribers through WWE.com also will receive special cell phone text alerts.

FILM INDUSTRY: NBC Universal is teaming with WWE on a $10 million campaign to drive joint sales of the WrestleMania pay-per-view and the video on demand release of its film, “DOOM,” starring The Rock®. The media and promotional support includes the offer of two limited edition posters of the action star for cable and satellite consumers who purchase both DOOM on-demand and the WrestleMania 22 pay-per-view.

NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES WWE’s “Win Big Time Sweepstakes” is a two-month long web-based instant win sweepstakes that gives fans daily chances to win more than 10,000 prizes, including trips to WrestleMania 22. Data captured in the initiative will be used to promote pay-per-view sales of WrestleMania 22 and other upcoming WWE events via e-marketing partnerships with affiliates across the nation. Interactive promotion agency ePrize manages the promotion.

FOOD & BEVERAGE: Snickers, the presenting sponsor of WrestleMania 22, is holding a national sweepstakes on snickers.com, offering fans the chance to go to WrestleMania 22 and sit in the “Best Seats in the House.” About six million Mountain Dew cans will be distributed in the Chicago area featuring WWE Champion John Cena® and WrestleMania 22, driving fans to a regional on-line sweepstakes. Pepsi and supermarket chain, Jewel Osco, are running an in-store promotion at 200 stores in the Midwest area. WWE is teaming with Topps and Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits on a campaign that will distribute free “Big Time Mania Moments” trading cards to customers who purchase Pepsi at 77 Popeyes locations around Chicago.

RETAIL: WrestleMania 22 will have a presence in more than 5,000 retail locations through a series of promotions with Toys ‘R’ Us, Kay Bee Toys, Game Stop/Electronic Boutique, AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Service) and others. Toys ’R’ Us also will have a special WrestleMania 22 Feature Shop in its Times Square store in New York City.

MUSIC: WWE has secured the rights to rock legend Peter Gabriel’s international smash, “Big Time,” as the stadium-rattling “Official Theme Song” for the April 2 event and its marketing campaign. Some artists involved in WWE’s latest entrance theme compilation, scheduled for release by Columbia Recordsin May 2006, may be featured at WrestleMania 22. Among those covering WWE Superstar themes for the compilation are Disturbed, P.O.D., Saliva, Killswitch Engage, Zebrahead, and Avenged Sevenfold.

GRASSROOTS: The 13-week-long WrestleMania 22 Fan Axxess Tour is bringing a 4,000-foot interactive exhibit and numerous WWE Superstars past and present to shopping malls, sporting events and festivals coast-to-coast, before arriving at its final destination – the site of WWE’s top pay-per-view event in the Chicago area. Attendance for the tour is up 27% to date over last year with more than 61,000 people participating.

For complete Raw Results from this week, click here

This week on Raw, it was announced that Kane and The Big Show will face Carlito and Chris Masters for the World Tag Team Championship at Wrestlemania 22. Also, Theodore Long announced that there will be 3 participants from Smackdown taking place in the Money In The Bank Ladder Match at Wrestlemania 22, and the qualifying matches will begin this Friday Night.

Tonight on Raw it was announced that Sensational Sherri will be the next member in the Class of 2006 WWE Hall of Fame

Also, it was announced that Stone Cold Steve Austin will induct Bret Hart (the two took place in Bret's last ever Wrestlemania match at Wrestlemania 13 in Chicago), and Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, and Chavo Guerrero will all induct Eddie Guerrero. Now that Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold will be in the same place, one can hope that they treat us to a showdown the next night at Wrestlemania :)

According to Amazon.com, the Wrestlemania 22 DVD 3 disc set will be released on May 23

IGN.com conducted and interview with Edge, which gives some insight into his match at Wrestlemania 22

The WWE has added two new sections to Wrestlemania.com, Wrestlemania Favorite Moments and Top Diva Matches. The Favorite Moments section includes commentary by Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Howard Finkel, Bobby The Brain Heenan, and Ron Simmons.

For complete 3/3 Smackdown results, click here

Candice Michelle will be in Chicago the week of Wrestlemania signing autographs, here is more information:

Tuesday, March 28 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
VIRGIN MEGASTORE

Candice will be signing autographs at VIRGIN MEGASTORE at 540 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

To read how the WWE is hoping to surpass the 1 million buy mark for Wrestlemania 22, click here

Finally, there are two special versions of Heat and Velocity this week on WWE.com. Velocitys theme this week is the WWE Hall of Fame. You can look back at last years inductions, as well as videos on Bret Hart and Eddie Guerrero. Go here to check it out. Heats theme this week is Saturday Nights Main Event, and is a great watch for all old school fans. Click here to check it out.

Q101 (a local radio station in Chicago), is holding a HUGE Wrestlemania 22 contest, and as you can see below, the grand prize is INSANE. The big giveaway is also that the 2006 THQ Superstar Challenge will be taking place at the House of Blues in Downtown Chicago. The on-sale date for tickets has not yet been announced. To enter the Q101 contest and for more info, click below.

From Q101.com

WHAT YOU CAN WIN
If you are chosen as the person who is a bigger WWE fan than Jim Jesus, you're gonna get hooked up large. Here's everything you'll win:

# (If you're not from Chicagoland) You and a guest will fly round trip to Chicago and will stay for five nights at a sweet hotel.
# (If you're from Chicagoland) You and a guest will get round trip limo transportation to and from each of the following events.
# You and your guest will attend WWE Superstar Challenge at House of Blues with Jim Jesus
# You and your guest will attend WWE Fan Acess Tour at Woodfield Mall where you'll interview WWE superstars with Jim Jesus.
# You and your guest will attend WWE Hall of Fame Dinner at Rosemont Theatre with Jim Jesus
# You and your guest will attend WWE Wrestlemania 22 at Allstate Arena with Jim Jesus
# You and your guest will attend WWE Raw at Allstate Arena with Jim Jesus

Thanks to Qumar for bringing this contest to my attention