WWE: Interest in Bringing Back Nia Jax, Brian Pillman Jr. Update, WWE Touts Record-Breaking SummerSlam 2023

WWE Reportedly Interested in Bringing Back Nia Jax

WWE reportedly is currently interested in potentially bringing back Nia Jax to the company, according to PWInsider.

Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that WWE officials recently held talks regarding the idea of potentially bringing back Jax. Those spoken to reportedly stated that they had her name being mentioned backstage of late for a potential return.

Jax was released in November of 2021 as part of a larger batch of releases at the time but made a surprise appearance for WWE at this past January’s Royal Rumble 2023 event.

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Brian Pillman Jr. WWE Status Update

As noted before, former AEW talent Brian Pillman Jr. is believed to have recently signed or is close to signing a contract with WWE.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Pillman Jr. is currently scheduled to be in attendance at tonight’s NXT television taping at WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

Johnson reported that during this past Saturday’s The Gathering wrestling convention in North Carolina, Pillman Jr. gave a speech to the crowd after his match with Kerry Morton. Pillman Jr. reportedly stated that he “has something special coming up in the foreseeable future” and “is going up to the big ball fields.” Johnson reported that both are believed to be references that Pillman Jr. has signed a deal with WWE.

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WWE Announces SummerSlam 2023 Broke Live Gate Record for Non-WrestleMania Event

WWE recently announced that this past Saturday’s SummerSlam 2023 event at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan broke the record for largest ever live gate for a non-WrestleMania event in company history at $8.5 million.

It was also announced that SummerSlam 2023 also broke the record for largest sponsorship revenue for a non-WrestleMania event in WWE history at $7 million.

It was also announced that this year’s event was the most watched ever SummerSlam event and also “among the top three audiences in the history of WWE on Peacock.”

Official press release:

MOST-WATCHED SUMMERSLAM^® OF ALL TIME

STAMFORD, Conn., August 7, 2023 – WWE^® (NYSE: WWE) today announced that SummerSlam which emanated from Ford Field in Detroit became the most-watched and highest-grossing SummerSlam in company history. The premium live event set new records for viewership, gate, sponsorship and merchandise.

With 59,194 in attendance in the Motor City, SummerSlam generated a record gate of $8.5 million, the largest gate for any non-WrestleMania event ever. It was the most-watched SummerSlam in company history and among the top three audiences in the history of WWE on Peacock.

SummerSlam generated the most sponsorship revenue for any non-WrestleMania event ever with $7 million, up 23 percent versus 2022. Slim Jim^®, C4 and Rocket Mortgage were among WWE’s sponsors for the premium live event.

In partnership with special event retail partner Fanatics, merchandise sales were up 60 percent versus the record set in 2021, marking the best performance in company history for any premium live event outside of WrestleMania. On Location packages set a new SummerSlam record, up 47 percent versus 2022.

In addition, SummerSlam became the most-viewed social SummerSlam of all time with over 230 million views and four million hours of video consumed, a 26 percent increase over last year.