On the night of the chair shot heard by 51,338 fans in person and around the world, the WWE delivered a chair shot to several Royal Rumble records. The WWE announced Monday that the Royal Rumble on Sunday from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex., was the highest-grossing and most-viewed Royal Rumble in history.
An all-time Royal Rumble gate record of more than $7.7 million was established, breaking the previous record of $4.9 million set in 2017 by more than 50%. Viewership increased 52% from the 2022 Royal Rumble. All-time Royal Rumble venue merchandise and sponsorship records were set. Venue merchandise sales broke the previous record, set in 2022, by 135%.
Sponsorship was up nearly 200% from 2022. Big reasons for that were the first sponsored match (Mountain Dew Pitch Black with Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight) and the first sponsored countdown clock (Applebee’s for the men’s Royal Rumble and women’s Royal Rumble) in Royal Rumble history.
Viral Videos
Now, let’s get into social media. The numbers are equally as impressive. Roman Reigns-Sami Zayn videos from the Royal Rumble have been viewed more than 20 million times, according to the WWE, with one video becoming the most-viewed WWE clip of 2023.
A mid-air collision between Logan Paul and Ricochet during the men’s Royal Rumble has had 26.5 million views across WWE and Paul’s platforms, the WWE said, and the launch of Reigns’ TikTok account resulted in 100,000 followers in the first 24 hours.
The return of Cody Rhodes from a torn pectoral muscle suffered in June and his victory in the men’s Royal Rumble match wasn’t the top story line of the night (that goes to Zayn’s chair shot of Reigns, the apparent dismantling of The Bloodline, and excitement about a possible Zayn vs. Reigns match at WrestleMania 39), but it was a topic of discussion by WWE creative director Triple H at the post-Royal Rumble press conference. Triple H knows all about what it takes to return to the ring after a serious injury that required surgery and months of recovery, and he reflected on that journey.
“I congratulate Cody on going through what he did for all of us, for this industry, for himself,” Triple H said. “I know what it’s like. I’ve been in that spot, unfortunately, a few times.”
Like Father, Like Son
Triple H also spoke about Dusty Rhodes, Cody’s late father, comparing the two. “When I look at Cody, I see his dad,” Triple H said. “I look in Cody’s eyes, and I see his dad’s eyes. I see all the best things about Dusty, and I see something more in Cody. It’s not about comparing them. I see the greatness of Cody’s dad amplified in him.”
Another major storyline that exploded at the Royal Rumble was Rhea Ripley’s win in the women’s Royal Rumble. She announced Monday on Raw that she wants to face SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39.
