WWE continues its momentum, breaking financial records in the TKO era. The company recently learned that WrestleMania 41 generated the largest sum of money ever recorded for a professional wrestling event: a total of $66,074,558 from ticket sales alone.
Today, data confirms that John Cena’s final match also joins the list of record-breaking achievements. While WrestleMania 41 set a new standard for all venues, including arenas and stadiums, Cena’s last bout now holds the top spot specifically within the arena category.
According to Post Wrestling, Saturday Night’s Main Event on , featuring John Cena’s final match, established a record ticket revenue of $6,553,883. The event, held at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., surpassed the previous record held by the WWE Raw on Netflix premiere in at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, which generated $4,898,365.
The average ticket price for Cena’s farewell match was $383, with 17,121 tickets sold, resulting in a complete sell-out. For historical context, WrestleMania 5 in 1989, held at the Historic Atlantic City Convention Hall, accumulated $1,628,000, which translates to approximately $4,200,000 when adjusted for current inflation.
This historic moment drew a massive crowd eager to witness a legend’s final performance. Cena’s retirement tour as a whole proved remarkably successful. Data reveals strong performance in several international cities:
- Raw in Brussels (): $1,770,267
- SmackDown in Montreal (): $1,361,576
- SmackDown in Lyon (): $1,462,244
- Data for Clash in Paris is currently unavailable.
Throughout his career, John Cena has consistently delivered memorable moments for WWE fans. This final chapter adds another significant milestone to his legacy, ensuring his name will continue to be celebrated within the wrestling world for years to come. The financial success of his final match and tour underscores his enduring popularity and the profound impact he’s had on the industry.
The record-breaking gate for Cena’s final match comes on the heels of other significant financial achievements for WWE. The Raw on Netflix premiere generated $4,898,365, while the Crown Jewel event in Perth, Australia, on , reached $4.16 million (USD) or $6.42 million (AUD) with an average ticket price of $338. WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, held in , boasted an average ticket price likely exceeding $600, including vendor fees, for a single night of the two-night event. WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia () had an average ticket price of $341, and WrestleMania 35 in New Jersey () averaged $268, equivalent to $338 today.
The consistent rise in ticket prices and revenue across WWE events demonstrates the company’s growing financial strength and its ability to attract large audiences. The success of events like WrestleMania 41 and Cena’s final match highlights the continued demand for live professional wrestling and the enduring appeal of its biggest stars.
Cena’s final match, a loss to Gunther, marked the end of an era for one of WWE’s most iconic performers. The event’s financial success serves as a fitting tribute to his career and a testament to his lasting impact on the world of professional wrestling.
