I’m a Phoenix resident who is VERY excited for our city to be hosting the Royal Rumble a couple of weeks from now. So much so, that I put together a Twitter thread on all of the wrestling related events going on, as well as local rec’s for food, drink, and nightlife. Original link: https://twitter.com/thesteelcage/status/1082722886756921344

Below, I’ve copy/pasted the information I previously shared. If you have questions beyond what’s listed here, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Hit us up here or via Twitter for best results.

TLDR; If you came to Phoenix for #WrestleMania XXVI, things have changed. There are a ton of great options for the #RoyalRumble crowd in and around downtown Phoenix by walking, Metro light rail, or a quick Lyft ride.

Friday – Sunday:

Royal Rumble Axxess @ Phoenix Convention Center

🎟️: https://phoenix.ticketforce.com/?search=axxess

Friday, 1/25:

5pm, Downtown Phoenix – #TheRambleBeforeTheRumble at @CrescentPHX presented by Mat Mania Podcast x The Steel Cage Podcast, featuring Mega Ran, Teek Hall, Bear Ghost, and Andy Savage

🎟️: http://rumble.thesteelcage.com

📰: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/01/02/best-local-music-phoenix-maine-ajj-co-op-rhythm-room-house-party/2436123002/

7:30pm, Downtown Phoenix – #Z1Championship at Unexpected Art presented by Zealot Wrestling, featuring Joey Ryan, Delilah Doom, and lots of other great regional talent!

🎟️: https://zealotprowrestling.yapsody.com/event/index/300411?ref=elink

8pm, Downtown Mesa (via Light Rail) – #PartyMania3 at Nile Theater presented by Party Hard Wrestling, featuring Suede Thompson, Effy, Shane Marvel, R3, and more!

🎟️: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/mobile/index/1735150?utm_medium=bks

Saturday, 1/26:

10am, Downtown Mesa (via Light Rail) – #PancakeParty at Nile Theater presented by Party Hard Wrestling. Free with #PartyMania3 ticket stub.

4:15pm, Downtown Phoenix – #NXTTakeOver Phoenix at TSR Arena presented by WWE

🎟️: http://www.ticketmaster.com/wwe-nxt-takeover-phoenix/event/19005511E6AF71FD

*** free access to light rail with your ticket stub 4 hours before and after the event – this applies to all three TSR Arena shows // not the Royal Rumble on Sunday, though ***

8pm, Mid-Phoenix – Money in the Stank, presented by Elite Wrestling Entertainment at Ringside Sports Grill – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elite-wrestling-entertainment-presents-money-in-the-stank-tickets-50057360914

Sunday, 1/27:

10:30am, Downtown Phoenix – Sunrise Showdown, presented by Sonoran Championship Wrestling at The Duce – $15 GA at the door, $30 bottomless mimosas

1pm, Downtown Phoenix – #SomethingToWrestle (…………….with Bruce Prichard) at Stand Up Live

🎟️: http://phoenix.standuplive.com/event.cfm?id=506869&cart

4pm, Downtown Phoenix – #RoyalRumble at Chase Field, presented by WWE

🎟️: https://www1.ticketmaster.com/wwe-royal-rumble/event/1900554896C23895

9:30pm, Downtown Phoenix – Dolph Ziggler and Sarah Tiana comedy show at @standuplive

🎟️: http://phoenix.standuplive.com/event.cfm?id=520675&cart

10pm, Downtown Phoenix – Royal Rumble After Party, presented by Mat Mania and The Steel Cage at Cobra Arcade Bar featuring Mega Ran – Costume Contest + Special Guests

Monday, 1/28:

5:30pm, Downtown Phoenix – #RAW at TSR Arena, presented by WWE

🎟️: https://www1.ticketmaster.com/wwe-monday-night-raw/event/1900551C8FF35812

*** free access to light rail with your ticket stub 4 hours before and after the event – this applies to all three TSR Arena shows // not the Royal Rumble on Sunday, though ***

10pm, Downtown Phoenix – Monday Night Ran – RAW After Party, presented by Mat Mania and The Steel Cage at Cobra Arcade Bar – Trivia Contest + Special Guests

Tuesday, 1/29:

5:30pm, Downtown Phoenix – #SDLive at TSR Arena, presented by WWE

🎟️: https://www1.ticketmaster.com/wwe-smackdown-live-phoenix-arizona-01-29-2019/event/1900551C8FFA5815

*** free access to light rail with your ticket stub 4 hours before and after the event – this applies to all three TSR Arena shows // not the Royal Rumble on Sunday, though ***

🌮🌯 Mexican Food:

Carolina’s – amazing tortillas and fantastic machaca – http://www.carolinasmex.com/

Roland’s – wood-fired amazingness and full bar – http://rolandsphx.com/

Gallo Blanco – gourmet tacos and the like, full bar – http://galloblancocafe.com/

🍻🍔 Gastropubs:

The Churchill – Shipping container marketplace. Great beer selection. Excellent sandwiches, Mexican, and pizza options https://thechurchillphx.com/

Angels Trumpet Ale House – http://angelstrumpetalehouse.com/

OHSO Brewery – http://ohsobrewery.com/

🍺 Breweries:

AZ Wilderness Brewery – Great burgers. Nature-inspired beers. – https://www.azwbeer.com/

Wren House Brewery (BYO food) – https://www.wrenhousebrewing.com/

Mother Bunch Brewery – http://motherbunchbrew.com/

State 48 Brewery – https://state48brewery.com/

🍺 Taprooms / Bottle Shops:

The Whining Pig (paninis, beer, and wine) – http://www.thewhiningpig.com/

Kings Beer and Wine (BYO food) – http://www.kingsbeerwine.com/index.html

Wandering Tortoise (BYO food)

🍕 PIZZA!!!!

– Phoenix is an EXTREMELY underrated pizza town. We don’t have our own style, but we’ve got the best of the best around.

Pizzeria Bianco – Italian-style wood-fired greatness http://www.pizzeriabianco.com/

Cibo Pizzeria – Artisanal pizza and pasta – http://www.cibophoenix.com/#!

Lou Malnatis – A Chicago favorite. DEEP dish. – https://www.loumalnatis.com/arizona-phoenix

🍖 BBQ:

Little Miss BBQ – Two locations. Original is on University. New one is up in Sunnyslope. The latter is worth the drive, with an expanded menu and full bar. – https://www.littlemissbbq.com/

🍣 Sushi:

Harumi Sushi – Great sushi options. Purple rice. If you’re in the mood, this is THE place to go in Phoenix. – https://www.yelp.com/biz/harumi-sushi-phoenix

MOAR FOOD:

Welcome Diner – Southern comfort food. Biscuits, fried stuff, and it’s all so good. Beer and cocktails, too! – http://welcomediner.net/

Phoenix Public Market Cafe – Pretty much my favorite breakfast burrito around. Wonderful bakery options and more! https://cafe.phxpublicmarket.com/

Cornish Pasty Company – Think “gourmet Hot Pockets” and a wide selection of beer on tap! https://www.cornishpastyco.com/

The Duce – Food truck type fare – the sliders are fantastic, as is the Chicago Dog. Their cocktails are pricey, but for a reason – they squeeze fresh fruit juice and take extra care to make each one – WORTH IT. Get a Brown Derby. Thank me later. – http://theducephx.com/

Nightlife recommendations:

Cobra Arcade Bar – This place gets busy at night, but it’s worthwhile. Legit arcade with well-kept machines. – https://cobraarcadebar.com/

Valley Bar – It’s in an alley. It’s in the basement. It’s dark. The drinks are great. Usually live music. – https://www.valleybarphx.com/

Joshua Schlag

For most of the last 30+ years of my life, I've been watching WWE. As a kid, Monday Night Raw hooked me from the start. From Bret Hart and Razor Ramon, to Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, to CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.. I've witnessed the ups and downs and I'm proud to have enjoyed pro wrestling through the years.

Though I now watch in a much different fashion than I did when I was a kid (finding out Vince McMahon was the owner and Jack Tunney no more than a figurehead was like finding out Santa Claus did not exist), I feel like I have a much greater appreciation for the hard work pro wrestlers do and the things they sacrifice to entertain us.

It's still real to me, dammit!