The WWE Royal Rumble made waves on social media, captivating audiences with its unique blend of wrestling and celebrity appearances. The recent premium live event, held over the weekend, showcased the power of social media as WWE reported a new record for most social video views in Royal Rumble history.
One of the standout moments from the event was a showdown in the ring between wrestler Bron Breakker and popular streamer IShowSpeed, which quickly became the most-viewed social post in Royal Rumble history, amassing over 300 million views in less than 24 hours. IShowSpeed, known for his appearances at WWE events like WrestleMania 40, boasts an impressive following with over 35 million subscribers on YouTube.
Joining the star-studded lineup was Logan Paul, who added to the excitement by participating in the men’s Royal Rumble match. With a massive following of more than 23 million subscribers on YouTube, Paul’s presence further heightened the event’s social media buzz.
WWE’s social media dominance was further underscored by its staggering YouTube subscriber base of over 100 million, outshining major sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. The company’s partnership with Fanatics for merchandise sales saw a remarkable 95% increase compared to the previous Royal Rumble record, while sponsorship revenue surged by 94% from the previous high set in 2024.
The Royal Rumble, broadcast on Peacock in the U.S., achieved record viewership, marking a nearly 14% increase domestically compared to the previous year. The event, held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in collaboration with Indiana Sports Corp, also signaled a broader partnership that will bring WWE’s SummerSlam and WrestleMania to the city in the years to come.
WWE, a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, has estimated that its marquee events – WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble – collectively generate an economic impact exceeding $300 million. The partnership with Indiana Sports Corp encompasses not only the Royal Rumble but also includes WWE television shows like Raw, Smackdown, and NXT, as well as live events in various Indiana cities throughout the duration of the agreement.
