JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- While professional wrestling fans waited weeks for the Smackdown in Johnstown, the show was more than what they saw in the ring.

Movers and shakers behind the scenes spent countless hours getting ready for the packed and rowdy house.

"Our staff, in ticketing from ushering to security in the parking lots, is just top notch," said Cambria County War Memorial general manager Jim Vautar.

And all of their work didn't just start on Sunday. Organizers started three or four months before the big show, ordering and selling tickets, and bring in the chairs and the stage. The pro wrestling show required a crew of 100 to set it all up.

Vautar said another challenge was making the pro wrestlers want to strut their stuff in Johnstown.

"Once they get here, you have to treat them with kid love and make sure they enjoy their stay and come out making the dollars they expect to make and do it the cheapest way but put on the most professional show we can put on for them," said Vautar.

Some of the thousands of die-hard fans said they couldn't be more thrilled to see the WWE show in Johnstown.

"It's exciting that they're here and we don't have to travel too far to see them," said Stephanie Czyraik.

Kim Zemrose said tickets to the show was one of her children's Christmas gifts. "We've been promising them to come for a long time and then finally it happened, and at the right time," said Zemrose.

Organizers said as much fun as the production is, the work isn't over until the stars and the fans are gone. So as happy as they are to see them come, they are also happy to see them leave.

According to organizers, one of the best parts about having big shows like WWE Smackdown in Johnstown is that fans travel from across the state to see their favorite wrestlers. Some fans even travel from Maryland and West Virginia. Organizers said that's good news for local businesses because people from out of town are ready to gas up, dine out and stay overnight.