Backstage Update on WWE & TKO Ticket Prices and Controversy

WWE ticket prices have been a hot topic of discussion as of late, and it’s something that WWE and TKO officials appear to be aware of, per a new report from BodySlam+. WrestleMania 42 ticket sales have even made it into on-air WWE programming, with Pat McAfee mentioning WWE’s failure to sell out WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas last week on Friday Night SmackDown.

F4WOnline.com’s Bryan Alvarez recently reported that WWE is looking to lower its ticket prices through the summer. CM Punk even mentioned the ticket price issue on WWE Raw, referencing Pat McAfee’s recent comments, “You want to talk about ticket sales? Do me a favor and call up that agent that was foolish enough to shoehorn you into this business and this show and tell him to lower the ticket prices.”

Punk appears to be referencing rumors that McAfee being added into the Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton feud for WrestleMania 42 was the idea of TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, who is also McAfee’s agent. Punk continued, “Lower the ticket prices because I want all of these families to come watch me stand on Roman Reigns’ throat at WrestleMania. Because my name is CM Punk, and I approve this message.”

Alvarez wrote on the topic, “If it wasn’t obvious from Punk’s promo, it appears WWE is looking to lower ticket prices through the summer.”

WWE & TKO Officials Are Reportedly Aware of Ticket Controversy

According to BodySlam’s update, WWE and TKO officials are reportedly aware of the controversy and discussions on social media surrounding WWE’s rising ticket prices heading into WrestleMania. Another source indicates that several top Superstars have been pushing for WWE to lower its ticket prices, believing that die-hard fans are being priced out, wanting them to be able to attend shows and enjoy the WWE product live and in-person.

WWE recently held multiple sales for WrestleMania 42 tickets, including discounted tickets for both nights of the premium live event in celebration of Austin 3:16 Day on March 16. As of last week, WrestleMania 42 has only sold a reported 38,711 seats for Night 1 and 40,333 seats for Night 2.

Ticket sales have decreased 18.8% from last year’s WrestleMania 41, which was also held at Allegiant Stadium. WrestleMania 42 is scheduled for April 18-19.