WWE’s Royal Rumble sets all time Box Office Gate. But I thought people didn’t watch “Rasslin?”
It was a record-breaking weekend in San Antonio this past weekend as WWE’s annual Royal Rumble shattered box office records with a $7.7 million dollar box office gross, saw over 20 Million views across all platforms, and helped launch Roman Reigns’ TIK TOK account with over 100000 subscribers in the first day! SOURCE
WWE today announced that the 2023 #RoyalRumble, which emanated from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, became WWE’s highest-grossing and most-viewed Royal Rumble in company history.https://t.co/5xnlWsz8MT
— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2023
Not bad for a company that has had its share of controversy lately with the return of Vince McMahon to the fold (after being removed for various payoffs to cover up some affairs/sexual misconduct scandals):
$WWE news: Stock gains 7% as Vince McMahon returns as chair https://t.co/XafPag7Frb pic.twitter.com/iycMOjQGOo
— Streetinsider.com (@Street_Insider) January 11, 2023
A potential sale to the Saudis (which has since been debunked):
-🛑:Saudi Arabia's🇸🇦PIF is 'emerging as a possible bidder for WWE🇺🇸if it puts itself up for sale'
WOR: Dave Meltzer believes the Saudis would only need about seven billion for WWE to become private again pic.twitter.com/8kPzRkgpin
— The saudi index🇸🇦. (@thesaudi_index) January 7, 2023
And, a Monday Night Raw 30th Anniversary celebration that barely acknowledged the Woman’s division (which basically carried the company from 2015-2020):
The Bella Twins Comment On The Lack Of Women's Evolution Clips On WWE Raw XXX https://t.co/vCnhgKqXpm
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) January 24, 2023
But, I thought no one watched “Fake Wrestling” anymore. Well, it turns out that’s not necessarily the case. Sure, it doesn’t stack up against Monday Night Football but it is slowly making progress against College Football SOURCE and few programs have had the longevity that WWE has. It’s evident that longevity matters (as well as its back catalog of content) as the returning Vince McMahon appears to be back to lead the charge to sell the company and take it private!
What the Hell 😳
sale of @WWE / new Owner 😡
What going ??if it's a rumours then it's okay
But If WWE is really going to soldIt's will be the universe shaking decision and no one will watch @WWE
This will be lifetime worst decision for @WWEUniverse#campaignnotsaleofwwe pic.twitter.com/wVtrXw8Yrt
— Radheyrajsingh (@radheyrajsingh) January 25, 2023
Per CNBC these are the potential buyers for WWE:
Comcast (NBCUniversal)
Fox
Disney
Warner Bros Discovery
Netflix
Amazon
Endeavor Group Holdings
Liberty Media#WWE pic.twitter.com/TAFCqReqQ7— CrispyWrestling (@CrispyWrestlin) January 7, 2023
How is this possible? Well, since the original departure of Vince from the company (as mentioned), Paul “HHH” Levesque has taken over creative and overseen one of the most compelling storylines the company has had in over 10 years which culminated this past weekend here:
https://twitter.com/StraderZane/status/1619573009051975681
You also had a returning Cody Rhodes (the son of the late great Dusty Rhodes and brother of Dustin “Goldust” Runnels) winning the whole thing as he begins his journey (scripted sure, but still a journey) to capture the elusive WWE Championship that neither his father nor brother won:
#RoyalRumble Cody Rhodes win the Royal Rumble pic.twitter.com/5CUgaos60H
— Reigns loverr (@NArunRaj1289) January 29, 2023
Or how about WWE HOF couple Edge and Beth Phoenix returning together to exact revenge on the dreaded “Judgement Day” stable who put both out of action for a substantial amount of time and continue to show the world why they are two of the greatest of all time:
Congratulations @RheaRipley_WWE .
Now I’m going to drag you to Hell. pic.twitter.com/yAOHSma0Bf— THE GLAMAZON (@TheBethPhoenix) January 29, 2023
Yes, the question is why DO we watch? Well, when the writing is good, it can be one of the most compelling things TO watch and if you listen to that “Pop” (crowd reaction) above, it’s very clear that the WWE and all involved got it right. You had 50000+ people losing their minds, waiting for the culmination of a storyline they have been engaged in for well over a year to happen right before their eyes. It’s kinda like enthralling yourself in a local hockey team that just can’t seem to make it out of the 1st round of the playoffs. You wait, thinking that this is the year, time and place, and then; “BAMM” a chair shot to the back in OT and you’re onto the second round.
On this night 28 years ago Doug Gilmour's famous ‘93 double OT playoff goal against Curtis Joseph. One of the most memorable moments in Toronto Maple Leafs history! What a time to be alive! What a time to be young and carefree! Where were you watching it? #TML #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/rJvonIBUPc
— theBayStBull (@TheBayStBull) May 4, 2021
The difference between the two organizations is that one will often write the script to appease the fans and the other just spends its money to keep them thinking they are actually trying to appease the fans. Perhaps the latter needs an evil tyrant owner to run things and they will finally get that chair shot for the fans they so desperately deserve!
LEAFS BELT TRACKER 🍁☘️
*Moves only after wins
*Moves at home & on the road
*Auston said it started after the first week but before the week of the BOS game, prob vs DAL or WPGWas given to Mo on behalf of the team by WWE wrestler “Edge” (who is from Orangeville, Ontario). pic.twitter.com/JvesVOSdYq
— katie (@itsmitchmarney) November 13, 2022
Oh wait, they already did that:
brentonontour
I tour the world and run concerts for a living..I'm searching for the world's best coffee and will share that journey here.. I will never watch a Fast and The Furious movie..Monster Trucks don't interest me but the band is really cool!