WWE Survivor Series Replay Sees Shocking Surge in Pay-Per-View Buys Over Christmas Week

WWE’s Survivor Series 2024 pulled off an unexpected holiday surprise, becoming the second biggest pay-per-view of the year—behind only WrestleMania—thanks to a bizarre surge in replay purchases during Christmas week.

Dave Meltzer broke down the unprecedented phenomenon on Wrestling Observer Radio, confirming the last-minute boom was legitimate and left him stunned.

“It was unbelievable,” Meltzer shared. “It went from the [sixth] WWE pay-per-view of the year to number two. Beat Bad Blood, beat SummerSlam. This is pay-per-view. Not streaming. So for whatever reason, people, whatever, wanted to watch pay-per-view.”

The jump in numbers was largely attributed to rural areas of the United States, with Meltzer speculating families sought out something different to enjoy together during the holidays. He noted these buys were made through cable and satellite providers, despite the fact that Peacock subscribers can stream WWE events at no extra cost.

“All in rural areas. It was a crazy thing,” Meltzer added.

The replay purchases catapulted Survivor Series ahead of SummerSlam and Bad Blood, cementing its status as a massive success for WWE. The event itself featured a star-studded men’s WarGames match with The Bloodline factions battling it out in a double-cage setup. CM Punk’s dramatic return to the ring after selling injuries from his October match with Drew McIntyre also added to the must-watch appeal.

WWE is clearly riding high on Punk’s star power, as he’s set to headline the Netflix debut of Monday Night Raw on January 6 in a clash with Seth Rollins.

This unexpected Christmas boost raises questions: Was it holiday nostalgia, family bonding, or just sheer curiosity driving these late buys? What do you think sparked this surge in Survivor Series replay purchases? Let us know your take in the comments below!