“We all get really riled up to watch the wrestlers,” engineering sophomore Matt Gagnon said, who came to the event with members of the Delta Chi fraternity. “I really enjoyed watching WWE in middle school, so I thought this would be fun to come see.”

To start off the event, men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo was given an engraved championship belt from the wrestler, Big Show. This came out of a conversation the two had about basketball, since Big Show played basketball at Wichita State.

This has never been done for a Big Ten coach before, said Tara Peplowski, the marketing and group sales manager for Wharton Center and Breslin.

“(Big Show) knows that we have a championship coach here and we worked to make it happen,” Peplowski said.

Peplowski also said that because of the reality TV show “Total Divas,” many viewers have become interested in WWE and female wrestlers. The show follows seven WWE Divas, including Natalya, during their work and personal lives.

Although Peplowski said WWE does not release official numbers of attendees to WWE Live, she said they met their goal for the event.

“We hope that (audiences) have a good time with their family and friends,” Peplowski said. “It’s what this is all about — sitting and watching WWE with other people.”

The crowd was very vocal with booing and cheering and playing along with the catchphrases that many of the wrestlers had. Many spectators brought homemade signs to the show.

Finance sophomore Drew Poirier came to support his favorite wrestler: Bryan. Poirier said he likes Bryan for his costumes and because he always puts on a good act.

“I follow WWE at home, so I think I’m the most excited out of my friends to be here,” Poirier said. “I love that the Breslin has events like these and mixes them up — they have something to pique the interest of any student.”