WWE® Superstar Big E™ to attend Tragos/Thesz HOF weekend
WATERLOO, Iowa— WWE® Superstar Big E™ is returning to his Iowa roots as he will attend the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum on Saturday, July 23.

Big E won a state wrestling championship in Florida before attending the University of Iowa where he was a defensive lineman for the Hawkeyes. He graduated from Iowa in 2009 and went on to set multiple power lifting records before joining WWE. 

Big E is a member of the current WWE World Tag Team Champions, The New Day. He is also a former NXT and Intercontinental Champion. 

“I’m excited to have WWE Superstar Big E at one of our biggest events of the year,” said museum namesake and Olympic Gold Medalist, Dan Gable. “Working together always yields the best results. We appreciate the support of WWE.”

Big E will attend the autograph signing at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum on Saturday, July 23 at 2 p.m. He will also attend the induction banquet at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center at 5 p.m.

Tickets to the autograph signing are $30, which includes a $10 admission charge to the museum. Individual signers may charge. Tickets to the induction banquet are $60 and are on sale now.

Tickets to the autograph signing are available on Tuesday, May 24 and are limited to the first 200.

Tickets to the Impact Pro Wrestling Show on Friday, July 22 are also on sale now. Ringside seats are $25 and general admission is $15.

Contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at [email protected] or call (319) 233-0745 to order your tickets.

2016 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Hall of Fame schedule

Thursday, July 21
5:30 p.m. – Reception at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum for inductees and all-access pass holders. Includes food, beverage, and group museum tour led by Rob Schamberger. (All-access pass holders and distinguished guests only).

Friday, July 22
9 a.m. – National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum opens.

11:30 a.m. – Pro wrestling evaluation with Gerald Brisco, JJ Dillon, and special guests at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Open to all-access pass holders or $15 ticket to enter.

2 p.m. – Jim Ross live Ross Report at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Open to all-access pass holders and distinguished guests or $30 ticket to enter.

6 p.m. – Doors open to the Impact Pro Wrestling show at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

7 p.m. – Impact Pro Wrestling show starts at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Front row ticket included for all-access pass holders otherwise tickets are $25 for ringside and $15 for general admission (while available).

9:30 p.m. – After party at the Screaming Eagle located at 228 E 4^th St. Free shuttle and private room for all-access pass holders and distinguished guests. Main room open to the public.

Saturday, July 23
9 a.m. – Special live edition of Takedown Radio with Scott Casber in the Dean Rockwell Library at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum.

10 a.m. – Doors open at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum for all-access pass holders.

10:30 a.m. – Open forum with Jim Melby Award winners Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter (2016), Wade Keller of Pro Wrestling Torch (2015), and Greg Oliver and Steve Johnson of Slam! Wrestling (2008) with fan submitted questions. All-access pass holders only.

Noon – Doors open at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum to general public ($10 admission).

12:30 p.m. – Salute to the legacy of the Four Horsemen at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum.

2 p.m. – Autograph signing with professional wrestling legends at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. All-access pass holders allowed to enter first or $20 autograph ticket required (individual signers will charge).

5 p.m. – Hall of Fame reception at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

6 p.m. – Induction banquet at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.

7 p.m. – Induction ceremony at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center with Jim Ross as master of ceremonies. All-access pass includes banquet ticket or $60 per ticket.

Scheduled to appear
Brian Blair
Baron Von Raschke
Bill Murdock
Bob Backlund
Chael Sonnen
Charlie Thesz
Dan Gable
Dave Meltzer
George Schire
Gerald Brisco
Greg Oliver
Iron Sheik
Jason Sanderson
Jim Ross
JJ Dillon
Ken Patera
Larry Hennig
Lex Luger
Magnum T.A.
Ricochet
Rob Schamberger
Stan Kowalski
Steve Johnson
Terry Funk
Tessa Blanchard
Tully Blanchard
Wade Keller
Wes Brisco
WWE® Superstar Big E™