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.
THANK YOU @WWEUniverse! 💪
☝️ Highest Grossing @WWE Event EVER at @TheGarden
☝️ Highest Grossing Domestic #Smackdown in WWE History
— WWE (@WWE) July 8, 2023
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.
Edge returned to television for the first time since May, and Grayson Waller made his main roster in-ring debut against him. The night didn’t stop with its high-octane trajectory, with Grayson Waller Effect and the match ensuring Waller basked in the limelight throughout the episode. Amid all this, Asuka’s Title brought about an engrossing segment, with Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, IYO SKY, and Bayley all adding to the mix, even in the absence of a match.
The United States Championship saw a gripping match between Austin Theory and Sheamus. The grand finale featured Jey Uso returning to challenge Reigns for a SummerSlam showdown. Not a moment was wasted; not a scene felt redundant.
While records seem to be tumbling almost routinely these days, with Money in the Bank and the Royal Rumble smashing its previous figures as well, there was something incredibly special about this victory at Madison Square Garden. After all, it’s the venue that has been WWE’s spiritual home for decades, harking back to the days of Bruno Sammartino.
And now, with the echo of the roaring crowd of 15,182 people still ringing in their ears and the dust barely settled from this grand spectacle, WWE is already poised for its next big show—SummerSlam. As WWE’s popularity continues to surge, fans eagerly await to see how the company will sustain this meteoric momentum and which records will topple next.
With nights like this, WWE continues to prove why it remains the torchbearer of sports entertainment, etching memories in the heart of the WWE Universe, one night at a time.
Now, if only a certain Viper will grace The Hottest Party of the Summer with its presence on August 5.
