The Great American Pyramid
Thats what it was called when the idea was first sold to Memphis by Sidney Shlenker. A 32 story, 80 acre complex clad in stainless steel. The newest Wonder of the World, a landmark of good times. Time would reveal that The Pyramid was in fact none of those things. The idea was grand - build a "symbol" for Memphis. Like the Golden Gate Bridge or the St. Louis Arch, something that Memphians could be proud of.
When completed, the arena hosted the 1993 Great Midwest Conference Men's and Women's basketball tournaments, the 1994 and 1997 Southeastern Conference men's basketball tournament, the 1996 and 2000 Conference USA men's basketball tournament, and the 2003 Conference USA women's basketball tournament. It also held the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament in 1995, 1997, and 2001. It was the site of the WWF St. Valentine's Day Massacre pay-per-view, in 1999. It also hosted the mega-fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson in 2002, which Lewis won by a knockout in the eighth round.
Since the recently completed FedExForum has overtaken the Pyramid as the city's primary indoor sports arena, the Pyramid does not currently have any long term tenants. A committee studied possible uses of the arena in 2005, and considered such uses as converting the arena into a casino, an aquarium, a shopping center, or an indoor theme park.
In October 2005, media speculation began to focus on an aquarium or a Bass Pro Shops superstore as the most likely long-term tenants of the arena. In November 2006, Congressman-Elect Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee) suggested that he would attempt to open a "Mid-American branch" of the Smithsonian Institution in the building. As of January 31, 2008, the city and Bass Pro Shops have reached a "tentative" agreement, short on details, but based on an intent to develop the now-abandoned structure.
Filmmaker Craig Brewer used the building as a sound stage for his film Black Snake Moan in late 2005. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band performed what is reputed to be the last concert ever in the Pyramid on February 3, 2007. Today, the building sits empty and dark. It faces an uncertain future. It does serve as a symbol for Memphis - but not in a way that anyone is proud of. The tale of the Memphis Pyramid will be detailed here. You won't believe it.
Credits-Wikipedia