As the dust settled following the high-octane WWE Survivor Series Premium Live Event, it’s clear that this year’s spectacle was more than just a night of electrifying matches—it was a momentous occasion that will be etched in the annals of WWE history, primarily due to CM Punk’s surprise return.
The Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois, played host to the Survivor Series, where Punk made a highly anticipated comeback after nearly a decade away from the WWE ring. His return undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the wrestling community and provided an unforgettable climax to an already stacked card.
Both the Men’s and Women’s WarGames matches lived up to the fans’ expectations, delivering entertainment and thrilling sequences that have become synonymous with the high-caliber action of WWE’s premium events. But beyond the physical battles in the ring, another fight was being won—the fight for viewership and buyrates.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has reported compelling numbers indicative of the Survivor Series’ success. It turns out that the event secured a substantial 11,200 traditional buys in its second week. To put these figures into perspective, this year’s buyrate saw a remarkable 56% increase from the final number reported for last year’s Survivor Series.
In a more granular breakdown of the statistics, the Premium Live Event is purportedly up 56.0 percent after just 12 days, compared to last year’s final numbers. While it is noted to be down 33.7 percent from the final number for the Crown Jewel event, the cross-purchase data presents an interesting insight. Of those who bought the Survivor Series, 9.8 percent also purchased AEW’s Full Gear, and 30.9 percent had bought Crown Jewel. This suggests that a healthy 60.9 percent of the audience consisted of viewers who were unique to this event and had not purchased Crown Jewel via Pay-Per-View.
Indeed, the Survivor Series has propelled itself into a league of its own with such a monumental edition, suggesting that WWE can build on this success to perhaps even surpass it with next year’s installment. Only time will tell if the momentum can be sustained, but the statistical success speaks volumes about the promotion’s direction and the undeniable star power of returning legends like CM Punk.
As the conversation continues in the wrestling community, the overarching sentiment appears to be a combination of nostalgia and excitement for the future. What are your thoughts on Survivor Series’ impressive milestone? Are you among the many who tuned in for the return of CM Punk? Chime in with your opinions in the comments section below, as we continue to cover the evolution of this electrifying industry.
