WWE celebrates most-watched SummerSlam ever
August 7, 2023
By Nik Roseveare
WWE has announced that SummerSlam which emanated from Ford Field in Detroit on Auguts 5th became the most-watched and highest-grossing SummerSlam in company history. The premium live event set new records for viewership, gate, sponsorship and merchandise.
With 59,194 in attendance in the Motor City, SummerSlam, which was the 36th such event, generated a record gate of $8.5 million (€7.3bn), the largest gate for any non-WrestleMania event ever. It was the most-watched SummerSlam in company history and among the top three US audiences in the history of WWE on Peacock.
SummerSlam generated the most sponsorship revenue for any non-WrestleMania event ever with $7 million, up 23 percent versus 2022. Slim Jim, C4 and Rocket Mortgage were among WWE’s sponsors for the event.
In partnership with special event retail partner Fanatics, merchandise sales were up 60 per cent versus the record set in 2021, marking the best performance in company history for any premium live event outside of WrestleMania. On Location packages set a new SummerSlam record, up 47 per cent versus 2022.
In addition, SummerSlam became the most-viewed social SummerSlam of all time with over 230 million views and four million hours of video consumed, a 26 per cent increase over last year.
In the main event of the night, Roman Reigns retained his status as Undisputed WWE Universal Championship by beating his cousin Jey Uso. Other results saw social media icon Logan Paul (pictured) defeat Ricochet, whilst Cody Rhodes was victorious over Brock Lesnar.