WWE Payback 2023 Breaks Records For Viewership, Gate and Merchandise Sales

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WWE on Tuesday (September 5) announced that Payback 2023, which emanated from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, became the most-watched and highest-grossing Payback in company history. In fact the premium live event, hosted by John Cena, set new records for viewership, gate and merchandise.

Viewership of Payback was up 36 percent versus the previous record set in 2016. With 12,468 in attendance, it marked the largest gate ever for any Payback, up 13 percent versus the prior record set in Chicago in 2016. Payback also became the highest-grossing WWE event ever held in Pittsburgh.

In addition, Payback broke the all-time event merchandise record. In partnership with special event retail partner Fanatics, merchandise sales were up 182 percent versus the previous record set in 2017.

2023 Payback was also the most-viewed social Payback of all time with a combined 146 million social views, up 44 percent from the previous record set in 2020.

The most-viewed moment across social platforms was Cody Rhodes announcing Jey Uso would be joining the Monday Night Raw roster which generated more than seven million social views across all platforms in one day.

The main event of WWE Payback 2023 was Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, which was successfully defended by the champion. In the co-headliner, Rhea Ripley defended her Women's World Championship against Raquel Rodrigues.

In the opening match, Becky Lynch defeated Trish Stratus inside the Steel Cage despite interference from Zoey Stark. While Lynch and Stratus may have ended a month long feud, another storyline was planted at the end of the segment when the WWE Hall of Famer Trish and Stark collided.

Also at the event, the event host John Cena served as the special guest referee in The Miz vs LA Knight scrap. Knight won the contest and Cena raised the hand of the winner, while Rey Mysterio defended his US title against Austin Theory and the tag titles changed hands, with Judgement Day ending the day with gold.

Now, WWE and John Cena will get ready for live event in India - WWE Superstar Spectacle, which is set to be held on Friday (September 8) at the G. M. C. Balayogi Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.