Historic Moments Unfold as O2 Arena Takes Center Stage
WWE’s decision to bring the highly anticipated Money in the Bank and SmackDown shows to London’s O2 Arena proved to be a game-changing move, as both events etched their names in the annals of wrestling history. Despite a brief delay in releasing the numbers due to the 4th of July holiday, the figures have now been unveiled, showcasing the magnitude of these record-breaking shows.
In a post-Money in the Bank press conference, Triple H electrified the crowd with an exciting announcement: the event had shattered previous records, becoming the highest-grossing arena event in WWE history. The O2 Arena buzzed with energy, solidifying its reputation as a hotbed of wrestling enthusiasm. The remarkable momentum carried forward to the following night’s SmackDown, which also claimed its own milestone by becoming the highest-grossing episode in the history of the show.
WWE solidified these extraordinary accomplishments through an official press release, revealing that the combined gate revenue from Money in the Bank and SmackDown surpassed a staggering $5.4 million. These historic figures were generated by the unforgettable spectacles that unfolded within the iconic O2 Arena in the vibrant city of London, England.
As the WWE Universe continues to bask in the aftermath of these groundbreaking events, the records shattered and the revenue generated serve as testaments to the unwavering passion and dedication of fans worldwide. The O2 Arena has undeniably cemented its status as a premier destination for WWE, promising future shows that will captivate and leave an indelible mark on the wrestling landscape.
Friday Night SmackDown at The O2 Becomes Highest-Grossing SmackDown
STAMFORD, Conn., July 5, 2023 – WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced that Money In The Bank, which emanated from The O2 in London on Saturday, became the most-successful and highest-grossing Money In The Bank of all-time. Notably, Money In The Bank set a new record for highest-grossing arena event in WWE history and Friday Night SmackDown from The O2 became the highest-grossing SmackDown of all-time. The weekend generated a combined gate of more than $5.4 million.
Money In The Bank (MITB) also set new records for viewership, sponsorship, merchandise and social media:
Viewership jumped 17 percent from last year’s record, and surpassed the last U.K. premium live event – Clash at the Castle – by 30 percent.
Sponsorship revenue was up nine percent versus the record set in 2022.
MITB marked the highest-grossing arena event for venue merchandise in WWE history.
MITB set a new record for On Location fan experience packages, becoming the highest-grossing non-WrestleMania event ever.
The event became the most social Money In The Bank of all-time, with video views of the Bloodline Civil War match reaching 40 million in the first 48 hours –a 4X jump from the top clip at Night of Champions, Jimmy Uso super-kicking Roman Reigns.
Additionally, Friday’s episode of SmackDown on Fox drew 2.51 million total viewers, up 17 percent versus a year ago, and was No. 1 in the 18-49 demographic with a .7 rating and 897K total viewers, up 39 percent versus a year ago.
