The July 7th edition of WWE SmackDown has broken more records.
On the show, Edge returned to television for the first time since May, and Grayson Waller lost out on his in-ring debut on the main roster.
However, the biggest talking point was the monster opening segment featuring the “Trial of the Tribal Chief.” The segment which ran nearly 40 minutes was a rollercoaster for all involved with Roman Reigns going from seemingly being on the brink of stepping down as Tribal Chief to utterly demolishing The Usos with Solo Sikoa and sending Jimmy Uso away in an ambulance.
However, at the end of the show, Jey returned after accompanying his brother to the hospital to take the fight to Reigns. The show went off the air with Jey challenging Reigns to a match.
It’s been reported by Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Podcast that the show was WWE’s highest-grossing event at Madison Square Garden. It was also the highest-grossing domestic SmackDown in history.
Vince McMahon Backstage At WWE SmackDown
In the hours before the show it was reported that Vince McMahon would be making a rare appearance at a SmackDown taping. The Executive Chairman has largely made changes to WWE programming remotely rather than actually attending in person in recent weeks.
However, McMahon made an exception for the show at Madison Square Garden, a venue known as WWE’s spiritual home, going back decades to the days of Bruno Sammartino. The July 7th edition of SmackDown will also likely be the final time the company visits MSG under McMahon family ownership with the deal with Endeavor expected to be completed in the coming months.