Wrestling stars inducted to WWE Hall of Fame in San Jose

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ByLisa Amin Gulezian KGO logo
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Wrestling stars inducted to WWE Hall of Fame in SJ
Ten big names from local legends to a politician were inducted as the newest members of the WWE's Hall of Fame in San Jose.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- WrestleMania has officially taken over the South Bay. On Sunday, some very big men with some very big names were inducted as the newest members of the WWE's Hall of Fame. They range from local legends to a politician.

The Bay Area is shining during WrestleMania 31. The Hall of Fame ceremony honored San Francisco native Rikishi

"Now for me, this dream is reality," he said.

Ten big names were inducted.

"Not in my wildest dreams would I think I'd be inducted into the Hall of Fame," former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said.

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The four-day event has drawn 70,000 to 100,000 people to the South Bay. The main event at Levi's Stadium on Sunday will cap it all off. Fans from all 50 states and 40 countries are in town right now.

"We try to get here a few days early to see the sights and everything else, and then everything else is pretty much dedicated to wrestling," said Indiana resident Chase Hesson.

This 21-year-old saves all year for his annual WrestleMania trips. He's not alone.

WrestleMania is bringing a big financial boost to the entire region. In Santa Clara, 100 percent of hotels have no vacancies. And in San Jose, 90 percent of hotels are sold out.

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An estimated $140 million will be spent in the area during the event. Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews is also using this chance to prep for Super Bowl 50 next year.

"This is going to give us a real opportunity to refine our management and transportation plans even further than we have this season," he said.

City leaders are focusing on transportation and security plans.

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