SummerSlam does not need to be two nights

SummerSlam 2024 has come and gone. The opinions on the show range, as they typically do. But one thing is clear, by the end of the night a lot had occurred to advance storylines on both SmackDown and WWE Raw. However, SummerSlam did have a feel to it that came off as an extended episode of either weekly show. While there’s a lot to talk about coming out of the PLE, one topic that should be broached is that SummerSlam does not need to be two nights.

Back in May, news broke that WWE is taking SummerSlam 2026 to the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. That will be the first edition of the show which is two nights, taking a page from the changes that were made to WrestleMania and other shows like New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom. It’s an interesting move, but one that some will question if it is necessary.

“So, is this the last SummerSlam that you see that is one night? I think so.” Triple H said during the SummerSlam 2024 post-show media event. “But we’ll see where that goes long-term. I’m excited about that opportunity.”

The opportunity is meant to benefit Endeavor as the company continues to extract as much profit from WWE as possible. That has been the practice since the company took over the UFC, and there are already changes seen within WWE that point toward the same thing. Building SummerSlam as a two-night affair isn’t about the overflowing sports entertainment or pro wrestling action, it is about the opportunity to increase revenue and profit for a company that is in the midst of an unprecedented boom.

According to WrestleTix 55,858 tickets were distributed for SummerSlam. That is a 4,381 increase over the previous year. Now imagine if WWE can double that for a two-night event. WrestleMania 40 hit a combined total of 120,239 attendees, and reportedly drew $38.5 million in revenue from ticket sales. Extending SummerSlam to two nights is about getting similar numbers for a second time in the year, which would be a massive boost to the company’s business. You could even see the UFC throwing on an event within that weekend just to extract more from combat sports fans.

With a roster as stacked as it has, WWE could put on a two-night event. However, early reception of SummerSlam 2024 points toward the idea that it isn’t needed. This was a good show, and a lot happened. But pushing it to two nights would be nothing more than an attempt to increase the bottom line and nothing more.