In an interview with Scott Casber for Takedown Wrestling Tuesday, Dylan Wanagiel, Director of Sports Events for the Madison Square Garden Company, described the pre-finals event as "two hours of entertainment" complete with videos and an MSG deejay.
In describing how the inaugural Finals Preview Show came about, MSG's Wanagiel told Takedown Wrestling, "We approached the NCAA and they were receptive to the concept, as well as some coaches we talked to."
The show will begin with an on-stage weigh-in ceremony, much like those before a mixed martial arts event or pro boxing match. The two wrestlers in each of the ten collegiate weight classes will step onto the iconic scale used by Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for their weigh-ins for their "Fight of the Century" heavyweight boxing title bout at Madison Square Garden in 1971. (Official weigh-ins for the championship round, closed to the public and press, will take place earlier Saturday, as they have for a number of years.)
There will be preview videos for each of the ten finals matches. What's more, each of the twenty student-athletes will be interviewed by Casber, Shane Sparks of the Big Ten Network, and A.L. Haizlip, play-by-play announcer for Oklahoma State wrestling, for their thoughts on their lifelong wrestling journey to the NCAA Finals. In addition, there will be a 30-minute autograph session allowing fans in attendance to get the signatures of the top Division I college wrestlers of 2016.
Current college wrestling stars and their coaches won't be the only individuals in the spotlight at the Finals Preview Show. Wanagiel told Takedown Wrestling that he has been working with USA Wrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame to also include past mat legends at this first-ever event for interviews, autographs and photo opportunities. Among the names Wanagiel mentioned as possible guests: Jordan Burroughs, two-time NCAA champ for University of Nebraska and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, and Kyle Dake, four-time titlewinner at Cornell University.
Tickets for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Finals Preview Show will be available Wednesday, March 16 at noon ET. Tickets cost $10 and $15 each, and may be purchased online, or at the Madison Square Garden box office.
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