World Wrestling Entertainment’s 27th annual SummerSlam event kicks off at 8 pm ET on Sunday from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will be the sixth straight year hosting the event for Staples, home to the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers, as well as the NHL’s Kings. The first SummerSlam took place in August 1988 at Madison Square Garden in New York and showcased the Mega Powers (Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage) defeating the Mega Bucks (Ted DeBiase and Andre the Giant). SummerSlam is the second biggest event annually for WWE after WrestleMania.
This year’s card features eight matches highlighted by the WWE World Heavyweight Championship battle between John Cena and Brock Lesnar. Other matches include: Stephanie McMahon vs. Brie Bella; Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton; Dean Ambros vs. Seth Rollins; AJ Lee vs. Paige; Jack Swagger vs. Rusev; Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt and The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler.
SummerSlam represents a critical event for WWE. The company launched its subscription-based video streaming WWE Network in February. Fans originally signed up for six-month plans, so SummerSlam needs to be a home run to encourage subscribers to re-up with WWE over the coming weeks, as well as to attract new subscribers. Expect high drama and fireworks Sunday night.
Here are some of the numbers you need to know regarding SummerSlam and the WWE.
-13%: Year-to-date performance of stock price for World Wrestling Entertainment. The stock is off 57% from its March high.
1/3: Betting on scripted programming would seem to be a ridiculous proposition, but you can bet on WWE matches. Lesnar is the heavy favorite in the title bout with odds at 1/3. Other favorites: Rollins (5/6), The Miz (4/11) and Reigns (1/6).
$9.99: Monthly cost to the WWE Network with a six-month commitment.
$12.99: Offer for one-month with no commitment for the network.
$44.95: Cost of SummerSlam on PPV for those without a subscription to the WWE Network. DirecTV and Dish Network will not carry the event due to their disapproval of the WWE Network.
52%: Vince McMahon’s stake in WWE.
$67: lowest price for a ticket on the secondary market, according to TipIQ.
170: Countries where SummerSlam PPV will be available
$205.99: Average price for tickets for 2014 SummerSlam on the secondary market, according to TipIQ.
14,500: Attendance for 2013 SummerSlam.
332,000: Worldwide PPV buys for 2013 SummerSlam (207,000 in U.S.).
700,000: Current U.S.-based subscribers to the WWE Network.
1 million: WWE’s subscriber goal by the end of 2014.
$5 million: Reported value of Lesnar’s one-year deal in 2012 for three PPV bouts.
$850 million: Vince McMahon’s estimated net worth after peaking in mid-March at $1.6 billion.
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