Jason Burgos
Despite getting a mixed reaction from some at the United Center and on social media, Danhausen’s WWE debut at Elimination Chamber is outperforming big moments at the same event from legends like Randy Orton and CM Punk.
One of the intriguing storylines heading into Saturday’s event was the contents of the mysterious box delivered to WWE RAW two weeks ago. The strange crate had a note stating that it was not to be opened until the Elimination Chamber. That created a huge amount of speculation about who or what was in it.
While many fans hoped it would be a returning Chris Jericho, as we got closer to the event, most reports pointed to AEW alum Danhausen being inside. When the box was cracked opened and it was, in fact, Danhausen, he unfortunately received a cold welcome from WWE fans in Chicago.
That has continued in the hours since on social media as fans and wrestling experts debate if his debut was a flop and his future in the company. However, when it comes to WWE, the devil is in the details and not just the reactions of some who had their hearts set on a different result. And thus far, the numbers for Danhausen’s debut have been good.
Danhausen’s WWE debut has over a million views on TikTok
@wwe SURPRISE! 🧛♂️📦 #WWEChamber #WWE #Danhausen ♬ original sound – WWE
On WWE’s YouTube, the video for his debut has close to 520,000 views. That is more than Punk’s epic intro using the Chicago Bulls classic lineup intro music from the 1990s (415,000), more than AJ Lee winning her first title in over a decade (204,000), and Orton winning the evening’s main event (284,000).
On the company’s Instagram, his debut has 123,000 likes (including from Punk). Also, more than Punk’s Bulls entrance (101,000), Lee’s title win (117,000), and the Chicago native congratulating his wife after her title victory (96,000).
On WWE’s TikTok, Danhausen’s debut has over 1.4 million views. More than the clip of Orton’s Elimination Chamber win (590,000), and Rhea Ripley winning the ladies’ version of the match (414,000).
Danhausen certainly has work to do to change the minds of some WWE fans. And being put on the sidelines by AEW for the last year certainly did not help him. But the numbers clearly show he has fans and those intrigued by his unique character. Especially inside the company.
