One big thing: WWE’s Bad Blood 2024 outperforms expectations
WWE’s Bad Blood 2024 has emerged as a major success, potentially becoming one of the company’s best-performing Premium Live Events (PLEs) of the year. The event’s triumph is largely attributed to the heated Drew McIntyre-CM Punk feud and The Bloodline saga.
Key takeaways:
• Bad Blood’s pay-per-view buys indicate significant success
• Event outperformed all 2024 PLEs except Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and SummerSlam
• Drew McIntyre-CM Punk and Roman Reigns-Cody Rhodes matches were major draws
• Likely to be the best-performing “B show” of the year
Dave Meltzer of “Wrestling Observer Radio” stated, “Bad Blood ended up being a huge success on pay-per-view. It did not beat Royal Rumble, WrestleMania or SummerSlam. But the next biggest this year was Elimination Chamber [and] it’s far ahead of Elimination Chamber.”
By the numbers:
• Bad Blood performed approximately 46% better than Bash in Berlin, the second-biggest “B show” of the year
• Ticket sales on secondary markets were in high demand
Why it matters
The success of Bad Blood 2024 demonstrates WWE’s ability to create compelling storylines and matchups that resonate with fans, even outside of their “big four” events. This performance could influence future booking decisions and solidify the importance of well-crafted feuds in driving event success.
What’s next
• CM Punk announced a hiatus on the October 9 “Raw”
• Drew McIntyre is currently off TV due to injuries sustained during the event
• WWE’s next major event, Crown Jewel, is expected to feature Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER competing for the newly created WWE Crown Jewel Championship
How do you think the success of Bad Blood 2024 will impact WWE’s future booking decisions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
