- The event started with a two-night format since WrestleMania 36 in 2020
- WrestleMania 40 was highlighted by Cody Rhodes’ victory over Roman Reigns
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WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia became WWE’s highest-grossing event by shattering previous pay-per-view, gate and social media records.
The two-night celebration at Lincoln Financial Field was the organization’s fifth attempt to extend the pay-per-view beyond one night. Ultimately, it became the most successful WrestleMania as the masses tuned in to watch Cody Rhodes be crowned WWE Universal Champion.
145,298 fans came to Lincoln Financial to witness the action live both nights. The song surpassed the previous record, set by WrestleMania 39, by 78 percent. All 50 states, as well as 64 countries around the world, were represented in the crowd.
WrestleMania increased last year’s record viewership by 41 percent. Additionally, the event became the most watched WrestleMania on social media – with over 660 million views across both days.
It wasn’t just the event that raised the bar for the company; the shows leading up to WrestleMania also saw new viewership records.
WrestleMania 40 shattered records to become WWE’s highest-grossing event of all time
The event was highlighted by the return of The Rock and Cody Rhodes’ crowning moment
Lincoln Financial Field and Philadelphia hosted the WWE’s first two-night pay-per-view
Celebrities like Jason Kelce, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and Lane Johnson were in attendance
Friday Night Smackdown and Monday Night Raw drew their highest gates in history at Wells Fargo Center. NXT’s Stand & Deliver also became the most attended NXT event ever, with 16,545 in attendance.
The event was highlighted by the highly anticipated return of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson to the ring. At WrestleMania 40, Rocky teamed with Roman Reigns for the main event of Night 1 as they defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins in a tag team match.
The Rock also shared the ring with fellow legends John Cena and The Undertaker.
Night 2, however, saw the crowning moment of the American Nightmare on Reigns to become the WWE Universal Champion.
WrestleMania also featured performances from Drew Barrymore, Vanessa Hudgens, Lil Wayne, Speed and Snoop Dogg. Beloved Philadelphia icons Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson also stepped into the ring to assist Rey Mysterio and Andrade in their victory over Legado del Fantasma.