11 Famous Wrestling "Holy Grounds" That Still Stand

11. Cow Palace

The Cow Palace is the second-oldest venue on this list, opening in 1949. It wasn't until 1960, however, that promoter Roy Shire turned it into a sacred spot for wrestling in the Northwest when he started running the San Francisco territory.

Selling out shows for over 20 years, the territory saw the likes of Shire, Ray Stevens, and Pat Patterson regularly headline. It was where Roddy Piper developed his Rowdy persona. It was home to innovative match concepts such as their annual 18-man battle royal, which Pat Patterson would take with him to WWE and turn into the Royal Rumble.

To modern fans, they'll likely know the Cow Palace as the place where Eddie Guerrero defeated Brock Lesnar to become WWE champion, one of the most emotional moments in company history. Or, if you're in San Francisco, you can still see independent wrestling cards at the Palace today.

While not looked at by many as that important a venue, the Cow Palace absolutely has a terrific historical resume and an undeniable legacy.