5 Classic Wrestling Venues That Are Still Used (& 5 That Have Closed Down)

Being a (mostly) scripted type of entertainment, a professional wrestling fight can happen almost anywhere, depending on the stakes involved. It can be held in a barn, a gym, even the streets. For maximum viewer enjoyment, though, promotions opt for multi-seater arenas and stadiums where thousands can gather to see heroes and villains alike battle like there is no tomorrow.

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But not all venues are held to the same standard. Some have attained near-mythical value by virtue of the indelible moments, good or bad, that have occurred there. Whether they be in the past ot present, these venues transcend the concept of "a place where wrestling is held"...

10 No Longer Exists: Differ Ariake

For much of its existence, Differ Ariake in the Koto ward of Tokyo, Japan was considered the home of Pro Wrestling NOAH, the underrated promotion that gave the world KENTA, aka one of the best wrestlers of the 2010s.

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The promotion's offices were located here, and it was where some of its best matches happened, usually involving founders Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, and Jun Akiyama. It closed in June 2018 and was torn down to make room for the Ariake Arena, one of the 2020 Olympics venues.

9 Still Exists: KBS Hall, Kyoto

They say wrestling entrances define a professional wrestler's character as much as attire and moveset do. But at KBS Hall in the Kamigyo ward of Kyoto (a city in the same area as Osaka), anyone can feel like a star. Why?

Look at that backdrop. Who does not want to enter a match as Christian-themed glass paintings illuminate behind them, as if a deity had emerged from above? This is one reason why many wrestling promotions in Japan, especially Stardom, (in Giulia voice) love, love, love using this venue.

8 No Longer Exists: Kiel Auditorium

Back in the 20th century, the National Wrestling Alliance was a powerhouse in the industry. And it was at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Missouri that some of the greatest wrestlers of yesteryear showcased their supreme technical abilities.

The arena hosted some of the biggest matches for the fledgling promotion, including three title changes. The first was in 1959, when Pat O'Connor defeated Dick Hutton. Then in 1966, Gene Siniski dethroned Lou Thesz before more than 10,000 fans. And finally, in 1983, Harley Race won his seventh and final title against Ric Flair. The building was demolished in 1991, and the Enterprise Center (home of the NHL's St. Louis Blues) now stands on the site.

7 Still Exists: 2300 Arena

Unofficially called "ECW Arena" for the promotion that held many shows there, 2300 Arena is rightfully considered the birthplace of hardcore wrestling.

But it is not just ECW that has made its mark there. Numerous other wrestling promotions have also held events at this unassuming space that at first glance should be a warehouse. CZW, New Japan, Impact, Ring of Honor, MLW, even the relatively obscure Japanese promotion Dragon Gate - all of them have run major shows here. Most recently, it hosted Multiverse United 2, the annual Impact-New Japan crossover.

6 No Longer Exists: Legion Hall

Indie wrestling shows have a very rowdy feel to them and nowhere was this emphasized than at Legion Hall in Reseda, a gritty Los Angeles neighborhood.

While first built in 1928, it did not gain a cult following until 2006, when Pro Wrestling Guerilla set up camp there. Soon, future fan favorites like The Young Bucks, Roderick Strong, and the ever-hateful duo of El Generico and Kevin Steen (the future Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens) were throwing down before passionate crowds on their way to stardom.

But the good times were not to last forever, as it was sold in 2018.

5 Still Exists: Nippon Budokan

The Nippon Budokan is often considered the mecca of puroresu, and it is not hard to see why.

Built in preparation for the 1964 Summer Olympics, this traditionally themed martial arts hall has seen the greatest battles and moments in the history of the industry, from Giant Baba's home stand against Fritz Von Erich to Jun Akiyama becoming GHC Heavyweight Champion for the first time, and from Tam Nakano and Giulia's highly emotional Hair vs. Hair Wonder of Stardom title match to The Great Muta's sendoff against Shinsuke Nakamura. New Japan has also hosted the G1 Climax Finals there since 2018.

4 No Longer Exists: Pontiac Silverdome

Before it was replaced by Ford Field, the Pontiac Silverdome was best known for hosting Detroit Lions and Pistons games. But wrestling fans fondly remember it for one event: WrestleMania 3. Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat, The British Bulldogs vs. The Hart Dynasty, Jake Roberts' face turrn... and of course, who can forget Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant?

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That event is among the most significant in WWE history, as it drew a then-record 93,173 fans (at least that's the number WWE tells us) and earned millions upon millions of revenue, solidifying the World Wrestling Federation as the top dog in professional wrestling. That experience was something only something like the Silverdome could offer at the time.

3 Still Exists: Hammerstein Ballroom

The Hammerstein Ballroom. One of the most intimately captivating indoor venues to ever exist. And the dream haunts of many an indie wrestling fan...

When it was not delivering brutal shows at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, ECW would gather here. Ring of Honor established itself as the foremost indie promotion with hard-hitting events here. And more recently, Game Changer Wrestling redefined what hardcore wrestling could look like here.

The atmosphere at those shows presents a truly breathtaking view of how wrestling should occur in a small scale...

2 No Longer Exists: Georgia Dome

Georgia had, still has, and will always have professional wrestling in its heart.

The Southern state has had its fair share of wrestling moments, both good and bad, but none of them will feel as special as those that took place at the Georgia Dome. It was here that Goldberg defeated Hulk Hogan to win the WCW World Championship on a huge episode of Nitro. And it was also here that Hogan and Kevin Nash did the notorious Fingerpoke of Doom.

In terms of WWE, WrestleMania 27 occurred here, and it was the site of the classic war between Triple H vs. the Undertaker. Taker won, but the sight of him needing to be helped out of the ring is one of the most poignant scenes in wrestling.

1 Still Exists: Tokyo Dome

Speaking of domes, does it not get any more extravagant than the cavernous Tokyo Dome?

One of New Japan's most hallowed sites since its first show there in 1989, it has been the frequent home of Wrestle Kingdom - considered the Japanese equivalent of WrestleMania and the first major wrestling event of the year. Here, various classic matches have taken place, involving an all-star cast that includes Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Chris Jericho, and many more.

Oh, and this entry may also be considered a two-fer if one includes Korakuen Hall - itself a noteworthy venue that seems to be a favorite joshi and smaller male promotions like Stardom.