WWE’s planned Late Night event during the SummerSlam weekend, scheduled for August 2 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in New Jersey, has been officially cancelled. The decision comes after the promotion faced disappointing ticket sales for the show, which was designed as a late-night complement to the main SummerSlam festivities at MetLife Stadium.
Details on the Event’s Concept and Challenges
The Late Night event was set to be hosted by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe and marketed as a blend of comedy and wrestling entertainment. Cody Rhodes was the only WWE star listed on the bill as of early July, while fewer than 900 tickets had been sold, according to WrestleTix data. This underperformance in ticket sales is widely considered the primary reason for the cancellation.
The Origin and Reception of WWE’s Late Night Series
This SummerSlam Offshoot was intended to be the second installment of WWE’s Late Night comedy series, following its debut during WrestleMania 41 weekend at Philadelphia’s Trocadero Theatre. That inaugural event, titled The Roast of WrestleMania, featured a mix of wrestling personalities and comedians such as Paul Heyman, Sami Zayn, Nia Jax, and Gabriel Iglesias, with Hinchcliffe in his distinctive roast host role. The first event received a positive response, highlighting a new creative avenue for the WWE brand.
Implications for WWE’s Comedy Crossover Future
Despite the promising start, the cancellation of the SummerSlam Late Night event raises questions about WWE’s pursuit of comedy crossover projects. The difficulties in attracting ticket buyers suggest a challenge in building sustained momentum beyond the WrestleMania weekend experiment. WWE’s next steps with this format remain uncertain as fans and industry observers await further announcements.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WrestleMania or SummerSlam bigger?
A. SummerSlam is a yearly wrestling show created by WWE, the biggest wrestling organization worldwide. Started in 1988, it’s nicknamed “The Biggest Party of the Summer.” SummerSlam is seen as WWE’s second most important event after their top show, WrestleMania.
Q. Is SummerSlam 2025 2 nights?
A. SummerSlam is one of WWE’s top four major live events, like WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series. This year, it’s expanding into a two-night event for the first time.
Q. Is SummerSlam 2 nights in 2025?
A. WWE SummerSlam 2025: Date, Card, Tickets, and Essential Information. The event spans two nights and features a WrestleMania rematch with John Cena facing Cody Rhodes.
Q. Will John Cena be in SummerSlam 2025?
A. This will be the fourth time Summerslam is held in East Rutherford, following events there in 1989, 1997, and 2007. It will also mark John Cena’s final appearance as a wrestler at SummerSlam because he plans to retire from professional wrestling at the end of 2025.
