On Saturday, July 29, WWE ran the final event inside the Joe Louis Arena, a gigantic block of concrete that sits in downtown Detroit and has housed the Red Wings hockey franchise since 1979. The Joe has also hosted a whopping seven WWE pay-per-views, and some very famous wrestling moments have taken place inside it, as we so expertly compiled for your perusal. Considering the Joe officially locked its doors the very next day, July 30, someone from WWE would have to send the building off in style before it was compromised to a permanent end. And, of course, that someone was John Cena.
Following his victory against Rusev in the main event, Cena hopped on the mic and informed the live crowd just how special the Joe is to him.
“I had my very first pay-per-view match in this building right here. Everyone here tonight knows all about the energy and the aura that you get surrounded by when you step foot in this building right here.
So many memories in Hockeytown for all of you; so many wonderful WWE memories for myself. I just wanna say what an honor and a privilege it is, 15 years after that pay-per-view match, to be able to stand on hallowed ground and tell you all thank you so very much.
My point tonight is that it’s about the Joe Louis Arena. It’s about the WWE Universe standing in the Joe Louis Arena for one final time. It’s about the spirit of the city of Detroit. I know we will see you at the new place, shaking it down, just like we do every single night in here.”
All this was missing was an American Flag unfurling from the rafters and Super-Cena crisply saluting it. But enough about him: Hey, Kevin Owens, what are your thoughts about the Joe closing?
