Over the years, the WWE has performed and delivered when they come to the Big Apple and fill the World's Most Famous Arena, the Madison Square Garden. With decades of thrilling bouts and captivating storylines having played out under its renowned roof, this venue holds a unique place in the annals of WWE. The spectacle returned to New York this past week, an occasion that turned out to be more than just another night of SmackDown—it became a historic, record-setting evening.
WWE didn't pull any punches, employing all its tricks and stars to put on a spectacle worthy of its Madison Square Garden legacy. And the result? An electrifying Friday night that not only set the fans' hearts racing but also shattered records. As a matter of fact, this SmackDown was announced as the highest-grossing WWE event ever hosted at the said arena. But the records didn't stop there; it also clinched the title of the highest-grossing domestic SmackDown in the annals of WWE history.
The event was anything but a slow burner. As if to herald the fireworks to come, WWE kicked off the night with a high-octane encounter between LA Knight and Hit Row even before the main show had started. It drew a rousing response from the New York crowd, especially after Knight walked away with the W against all odds.
The main event then launched with an intense segment from The Bloodline's Tribal Court, a narrative consuming the initial half-hour of the episode. Fans were treated to a rollercoaster of emotions as Jey Uso was hailed as the new Tribal Chief, only to face a shocking betrayal by Roman Reigns. As payback for Jey's low blow at Money in the Bank, Reigns turned the tables, while Jimmy Uso was dramatically stretchered out.
