WWE® Delivers Most-Viewed & Highest-Grossing SummerSlam of All-Time

Rhea-AI Summary

WWE reported record-breaking performance for its SummerSlam event, achieving the highest viewership and grossing figures in company history. The event attracted over a million global viewers, a 55% increase from 2020. Indoor attendance hit 51,326, with a live gate significantly surpassing 2019 figures. Merchandise sales surged by 155% compared to 2019, and sponsorships rose by 25% from 2019. WWE also achieved over one billion views across its social media platforms during the event week, highlighting strong engagement and brand popularity.

Positive

• Record viewership with over one million global viewers, a 55% increase over 2020.
• Indoor attendance of 51,326, breaking previous SummerSlam records.
• Merchandise sales increased by 155% from 2019.
• Sponsorships rose by 25% compared to 2019 and 18% over 2020.
• Social media engagement surpassed one billion views across platforms.

Negative

• None.

Annual Event Sets Records for Live Global Viewership, Gate Receipts, Indoor Attendance, Merchandise Sales, Sponsorships & Social Engagement

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Following a weekend of record-setting metrics, WWE (NYSE: WWE) delivered the most-viewed and highest-grossing SummerSlam in the company’s history.

(Photo: Business Wire)

Highlights include:

• More people watched Saturday’s event live across Peacock and WWE Network than any other SummerSlam in the company’s history. The seven-figure global audience marked a 55% increase over 2020 and a 29% increase over 2019;
• The sell-out crowd of 51,326 broke SummerSlam records for indoor attendance and gate receipts. With tickets purchased by fans from all 50 U.S. states, Saturday’s live gate was more than four times greater than the last SummerSlam held with fans in attendance in 2019;
• Merchandise sales posted an increase of 155% over 2019;
• SummerSlam set a new sponsorship record, growing by 25% vs. 2019 and 18% vs. 2020;
• With more than four million views, Brock Lesnar’s return became WWE’s most-watched Instagram video of all-time – surpassing the video of John Cena’s return at Money In The Bank. In total, SummerSlam videos generated more than one billion views across all WWE social platforms during the week.

About WWE

WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The Company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 900 million homes worldwide in 28 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, FOX Sports, BT Sport, Sony India and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network includes all live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library and is currently available in more than 180 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network. The Company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Orlando, Dubai, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Munich, Riyadh, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to: the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business, results of operations and financial condition; entering, maintaining and renewing major distribution agreements; a rapidly evolving media landscape; WWE Network (including the risk that we are unable to attract, retain and renew subscribers); our need to continue to develop creative and entertaining programs and events; the possibility of a decline in the popularity of our brand of sports entertainment; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent K. McMahon; possible adverse changes in the regulatory atmosphere and related private sector initiatives; the highly competitive, rapidly changing and increasingly fragmented nature of the markets in which we operate and greater financial resources or marketplace presence of many of our competitors; uncertainties associated with international markets including possible disruptions and reputational risks; our difficulty or inability to promote and conduct our live events and/or other businesses if we do not comply with applicable regulations; our dependence on our intellectual property rights, our need to protect those rights, and the risks of our infringement of others’ intellectual property rights; the complexity of our rights agreements across distribution mechanisms and geographical areas; potential substantial liability in the event of accidents or injuries occurring during our physically demanding events including without limitation, claims alleging traumatic brain injury; large public events as well as travel to and from such events; our feature film business; our expansion into new or complementary businesses and/or strategic investments; our computer systems and online operations; privacy norms and regulations; a possible decline in general economic conditions and disruption in financial markets; our accounts receivable; our indebtedness including our convertible notes; litigation; our potential failure to meet market expectations for our financial performance, which could adversely affect our stock; Vincent K. McMahon exercises control over our affairs, and his interests may conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock; a substantial number of shares are eligible for sale by the McMahons and the sale, or the perception of possible sales, of those shares could lower our stock price; and the volatility of our Class A common stock. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends (including under our revolving credit facility), general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. Forward-looking statements made by the Company speak only as of the date made and are subject to change without any obligation on the part of the Company to update or revise them. Undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. For more information about risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210824005507/en/

Media Contact:

WWE

Chuck Kingsbury

203-352-8701

Chuck.Kingsbury@wwecorp.com

Investor Contact:

Michael Weitz

203-352-8642

Michael.Weitz@wwecorp.com

Source: WWE

FAQ

What were the viewership numbers for WWE SummerSlam 2023?

WWE reported over one million global viewers for SummerSlam 2023, a 55% increase compared to 2020.

How did WWE SummerSlam 2023 perform in terms of attendance?

The event saw an indoor attendance of 51,326, which broke previous SummerSlam records.

What was the increase in merchandise sales during SummerSlam 2023?

Merchandise sales during SummerSlam 2023 increased by 155% compared to 2019.

How much did WWE's sponsorship revenue grow during SummerSlam 2023?

WWE's sponsorship revenue grew by 25% compared to 2019 and by 18% compared to 2020.

What social media success did WWE SummerSlam 2023 achieve?

WWE SummerSlam 2023 generated over one billion views across all its social media platforms during the event week.