VALPARAISO | As the superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment invaded Valparaiso, more than 3,500 spectators joined them at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Saturday night for a non-televised night of sports entertainment.

Wrestlers who come into the living room every Monday, Tuesday and Friday night were building up to this evening's Summer Slam pay-per-view event which will be held in Indianapolis.

Fans from the Region were more than happy to get a first hand glimpse at some of their favorite heroes and villains.

"It's great, just the excitement to get to see all of them live," VU graduate student Sara Bartoli said. "It takes the whole experience to another level."

Bartoli came along with her mother, Sheri, who remembers going to the matches when she was a child.

"This is really for the kids," Sheri said. "These wrestlers are almost like role models for them, the sportsmanship that they show."

There was a strong mixture of both youth and adults that stood in a line that stretched from the front doors of the ARC to the brand-new Valparaiso Student Union.

Hebron native Stephanie Maier remembered with laughter that the first words that ever came out of her mouth were "Hulk Hogan." While the VH1 reality star was not on hand Saturday night, Maier's nieces were happy to see their favorite wrestlers John Cena and the Great Khali.

"This is really exciting for me to bring my nieces," Maier said. "It's kind of a family tradition. My brothers brought me to these events when I was little and now I get to bring them."

The intimacy of the ARC, as compared to other arenas that the WWE holds events at, added to the unique evening.

"It's something that you can always tell your friends about," Valparaiso resident Dean Siemon said. "Especially when it's at a place in your own backyard. It's kind of surreal."