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After a tough 2020, WWE looked to make a comeback in 2021. The year started with WWE slowly welcoming fans back into the arenas. Several top stars were released by the company as it looked to shape up for the future.
As the year went on, WWE continued to develop some great storylines and quality pay-per-views. WrestleMania was off the charts in 2021, while SummerSlam over-delivered.
With the year coming to an end, one can’t help but think of all the records that the company and its superstars broke during the calendar year. From most matches to most views, there were a few interesting records that were broken in 2021.
With that in mind, take a look at the five WWE records that were broken in 2021.
#5. Randy Orton competed in the most number of matches WWE RAW
Randy Orton is currently one of the biggest stars in WWE. It's fitting to kick off the list with a record broken by The Viper in 2021.
Orton has been one of WWE’s longest-tenured employees. He has remained one of the men at the top of WWE for the longest time. On the episode of RAW following Survivor Series, Orton broke the record of appearing in the most number of matches on Monday Nights.
Orton teamed up with Riddle on RAW against The Dirty Dawgs in a tag team match. In doing so, he wrestled his 437th match on RAW and broke Kane’s record.
A couple of nights before the history-making feat, The Viper took to Twitter to acknowledge that he was on the brink of setting a new record:
“The following night [after Survivor Series] on RAW coincidentally, if I have a match, I’ll have had more matches on RAW then anyone in history.”
“I saw this online, checked it, and it is true… kind of hard to believe, as it feels like I only started down in OVW yesterday. I just wanna take a minute in light of these ‘stats’, and let everyone out there that’s ever supported me in any way know that I am thankful.”
Randy Orton has set several records in WWE. He's set to become one of the greatest wrestling legends of all time. Will he retire with the highest number of world championships to his name?
#4. WWE SummerSlam broke indoor attendance records in 2021
Like most entertainment companies, WWE also suffered during the lockdowns. The company decided to march ahead and hold events without live crowds to entertain fans at home.
The hard work and patience paid off at SummerSlam 2021. Fans were allowed to attend the event after SummerSlam 2020 was held behind closed doors. The excitement allowed WWE to break a big record at The Biggest Party of the Summer.
SummerSlam was sold-out, and it broke all previous records. 51,326 fans attended the indoor event at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to help WWE make history. With tickets purchased by fans from all 50 U.S. states, 2021’s SummerSlam was more than four times greater than the last SummerSlam held with fans in attendance in 2019.
It was great to see WWE break an attendance record so soon after allowing fans back into the arenas. The company had to wait over a year to allow fans to return, and the patience paid off on August 21, 2021. It was the largest indoor attendance for a SummerSlam event.
#3. Brock Lesnar’s return became the most-watched WWE Instagram video of all-time
WWE SummerSlam 2021 was arguably the most exciting pay-per-view of the year. Edge and Seth Rollins competed in one of the best matches of the night to give fans something to cheer for.
The main event saw Roman Reigns take on John Cena for the Universal Championship. After Reigns defeated Cena to retain his title, Brock Lesnar made his much-awaited return to WWE. Lesnar’s return sent the wrestling world into a frenzy. Fans couldn't help but watch the videos of his return on repeat.
The video of The Beast Incarnate’s return saw WWE break a personal record on Instagram. The video became WWE’s most-watched Instagram video of all time.
“With more than four million views, Brock Lesnar’s return became WWE’s most-watched Instagram video of all time – surpassing the video of John Cena’s return at WWE Money in the Bank. In total, SummerSlam videos generated more than one billion views across all WWE social platforms during the week.” WWE.com reported
The video of Lesnar’s return currently has over 4.5 million views on WWE’s Instagram. It continues to show that The Beast Incarnate is still one of the biggest draws in the company.
#2. Natalya set the record for the most WWE PPV appearances by a female superstar
Natalya is arguably the most recognizable female superstar in WWE. The Queen of Harts has had an incredible career that has seen her take on some of the best in the business.
During her illustrious WWE career, Natalya has made some unique records. In 2021, she broke yet another record to ensure that she remains ahead of the competition.
At WWE Survivor Series, Natalya was a member of Team SmackDown. She appeared in her 68th pay-per-view during the night, the most by any female superstar in WWE history.
Speaking on the Tuesday Wrestling Tuesday with Jonathan Hood podcast, the WWE Superstar stated that a fan made her aware of the historic achievement:
“I don’t keep track of every single match that I’ve had, I don’t keep track of it. During the pandemic, a fan had reached out to me and said, ‘hey, I just want to let you know that you’ve had the most matches and the most wins of any woman in WWE history.’ Then, I had posted about it and then I guess Guinness Book Of Worlds Records had picked up on it."
“I have two world records, for the most matches and the most PPV matches. They’re currently investigating my most wins. Of course, they had to do fact checks and all those sorts of things. But right now, I have two world records, most PPV matches of any woman in WWE history and most matches. But we are trying to get the most wins on there too. For me, like I said, I don’t keep track, but when I heard that, I was so honored." (H/T- wrestlinginc)
The Queen of Harts is far from retiring from the ring. She could get another run with the women’s championship before she decides to hang her boots. Natalya will continue to stretch her lead as the woman with the most matches and most pay-per-view matches in WWE until she retires.
#1. Randy Orton broke the record of featuring in the most WWE pay-per-views in 2021
It’s time to cap off the list of records created in WWE in 2021 with another one from Randy Orton. The Viper has never been shy of competing in the biggest matches on the grandest stages. This has allowed him to feature in numerous pay-per-view matches.
His addiction to overperforming has allowed him to break another record in 2021. Orton competed in his 177th pay-per-view match when he took to the ring with Riddle to face The Usos at WWE Survivor Series.
Riddle and Orton picked up the win to prove that they are indeed a great tag team on RAW. Before the event, The Viper took to Twitter to acknowledge that he was ready to create history:
“It came to my attention that tomorrow at Survivor Series I’ll set a new record for most PPV matches by anyone in WWE history.” Orton wrote
“I also know with all of my heart that I couldn’t have done it without you. Now on to my 15th Survivor Series…man time flies don’t it? #WWE #SurvivorSeries #RAW” He added
15 of Orton’s 177 pay-per-view appearances have come on Survivor Series. That puts him fourth on the overall highest number of Survivor Series matches for any WWE Superstar.
Orton could well end up breaking that record too, as he continues to pick up championship victories. It’s great to see how The Legend Killer has ended up becoming a legend himself.
