In hindsight, holding WWE Money in the Bank on July 2 in the same city as UFC 276 was always going to be a challenge, even in the fight capital of the world.
WWE’s original plan was to hold Money in the Bank in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, home to the NFL’s Raiders, turning it into a stadium show for the first time. But the company punted on that idea in late May, announcing it was moving the show to the smaller MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Soft ticket sales were widely reported to be one of the issues, and one of the causes could be UFC putting on a pay-per-view at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on the same night. And not just any card either, but one that is the centerpiece of International Fight Week, an annual event that includes the UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony and a full slate of additional activities for UFC fans.
AEW head Tony Khan seemed to take some pleasure in WWE downsizing Money in the Bank, subtweeting about the “genius move” in taking on UFC head to head. But UFC president Dana White — who learned about the venue change while having dinner with Khan — was more diplomatic about in during a recent appearance on The Spinnin Backfist MMA Show.
“To be fair to the WWE, they were probably looking at it … Their ticket prices are a lot cheaper, there’d be a lot of people in town, I don’t know,” White said. “International Fight Week’s a rough week to do it.”
That rather large extenuating circumstance means WWE may shrug this one off and forge ahead with its reported plan to attempt more stadium shows in 2023 and beyond. Clash at the Castle will be held at Principality Stadium in Wales in September, but WWE has no U.S.-based stadium shows announced right now other than SummerSlam and WrestleMania, which have been held in stadiums for years.
WWE Money in the Bank is likely to have a sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena to look forward to when it kicks off at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on July 2.