WrestleMania 40 Makes Streaming History

According to the data, night one of WrestleMania 40 saw a remarkable 26 percent increase in average minute audience compared to the previous year, while night two surged by an impressive 30 percent. But the record-breaking weekend for Peacock didn’t stop there. WrestleMania 40 also marked the second biggest usage weekend for the streaming platform, falling behind only the NFL Wild Card game and the following day on Jan. 13 and 14. 

But it wouldn’t be the place where legends are made if WrestleMania 40 just broke one major streaming record. Additionally, Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal, a Peacock special focusing on the life and career of the late WWE star Bray Wyatt, became the most-viewed original sports WWE documentary within its first seven days on the platform. The documentary offered fans an intimate look into Wyatt’s legacy following his sudden passing in 2023 at the age of 36.

WrestleMania 40 breaking streaming records is only the latest achievement this year’s event has crushed. Earlier reports revealed that the event became the most successful live event in WWE history. According to WWE, the gate for WrestleMania 40 surged by an astounding 78 percent compared to the previous record set during WrestleMania 39. 

Over 145,000 fans were in attendance across both nights of the event, contributing to an electric atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field. The enthusiasm from the fans watching WrestleMania 40 via streaming at home and those who showed up live boosted merchandise sales soared by over 20 percent compared to the previous year, breaking yet another record.

WrestleMania 40 showcased a lineup of unforgettable matches, including the highly anticipated WWE Universal Championship clash between The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns and “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes on Night 2. Night 1 featured a star-studded tag team match, pitting Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Seth “Freakin” Rollins against Reigns and Rhodes, marking Johnson’s first in-ring appearance for WWE since 2016. These marquee matchups, coupled with compelling storylines and jaw-dropping moments, cemented WrestleMania 40 as a must-watch streaming event for wrestling enthusiasts around the globe.

Initially introduced as WWE’s groundbreaking pay-per-view event in 1985, WrestleMania has grown into an annual extravaganza, attracting millions of viewers worldwide. With the introduction of digital platforms, WrestleMania managed to seamlessly transition to streaming in 2014, expanding its reach and multiplying the show’s cultural impact. While the series has seen some changes over the 40 years it’s been around, WrestleMania has remained resilient, ever-evolving its formats while maintaining its status as a cornerstone of sports entertainment.

With WrestleMania 40 breaking streaming records, accumulating billions of viewing hours, and drawing in millions of people with its spectacle, we can’t wait to see what happens next and how WrestleMania 41 attempts to crush this year’s numbers and leave the 2024 event in its dust.

Source: Variety