In less than one month, it will all kick off in Cleveland at WWE’s 2024 SummerSlam event. Last year’s event in Detroit was reportedly the highest-grossing SummerSlam of all time. Fans weren’t disappointed – Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar settled old scores in the second match of the night and Roman Reigns closed out the night by defeating Jey Uso in Tribal Combat to become not only the undisputed WWE Universal Champion but also the tribal chief of the Anoa’i family.
This year’s SummerSlam could be even bigger. While we don’t have all the details yet, we do know that current heavyweight champion Damien Priest will be facing off against Gunther to defend his title. We also know that the Women’s Championship bout will be between current champion Bayley and Queen of the Ring Nia Jax.
Betting on fights has always been a part of the experience, especially with boxing. Professional wrestling has a more complicated history with sports betting. Excitingly, online sports betting and the legalization of it in states like New York has opened up a new era for betting on the WWE.
Even fans may not be aware that they can place bets on WWE events. Today, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how to bet on the WWE in New York. This includes what you can bet on, what to look for in a sportsbook, and some of the New York online sportsbooks that accept bets on WWE events.
Can you bet on WWE?
The discussion of whether or not professional wrestling is a sport should have ended a long time ago. The storylines and outcomes may be scripted and the fights choreographed, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real. The action in the ring is still happening and requires a serious level of physical ability to perform. Maybe doubters should think of WWE as the modern equivalent of the medieval tournaments where knights demonstrated their skills for spectators.
However, it’s the scripted nature of WWE fights that make them tricky to bet on. There are enough people involved who know how each match is supposed to play out that it’s impossible to guarantee that the story hasn’t been leaked at all. This leads to short odds on most big matches and has raised concerns from fans. While you can bet on the outcome of a match, there are plenty of better options.
It’s smarter to place bets on things that may happen in the ring, rather than the outcome. One of the most popular WWE bets is on how a bout will be won. Even when a wrestler has their own finishing move, they don’t always use it as the final move in the match, so this bet can be unpredictable. Other popular bets are on who will be the top heel or babyface, if there will be a heel turn during an event, if a certain prop will be used or if a match will have a near fall.
Choosing a sportsbook
Since betting on the WWE isn’t as well established as betting on the NFL, NBA etc, it’s important to do your research before choosing a sportsbook. Fewer sportsbooks have odds on WWE events, so that’s the first thing to check.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, compare their WWE odds. Look for how they’ve paid out over time and whether or not their odds seem consistent. This can help you tell if they take WWE betting seriously enough to provide their customers with odds that are based on research.
On a general level, always make sure that the sportsbook you’re signing up with is fully licensed to operate in your state or region. Consider which deposit and withdrawal methods they offer and if you’re comfortable using them. Reputable sportsbooks will only offer payment methods that have customer protections in place, such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and bank/wire transfers. Verify that the site is fully encrypted so that your data and payment information are protected.
Lastly, take a look at the bonuses they offer. Every sportsbook will have a welcome offer for new customers, and this often includes free bets. Some sportsbooks may even have special promotions and bonuses for major WWE events, such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. Having a guide (https://www.wsn.com/bonuses/new-york/) as found on sites like World Sports Network, can direct you to sportsbooks that have WWE odds and bonuses that make signing up rewarding.
New York sportsbooks with WWE odds
Caesar’s Sportsbook is the online sportsbook from the classic Las Vegas brand. They have used their decades of experience in land-based betting and casinos to create a site that is intuitive and puts the user experience at the top. While they haven’t been operating very long, Caesar’s offers competitive odds and has a good welcome bonus with bet protection.
FanDuel was one of the first really successful online sportsbooks in the US. In the years since sports betting was legalized, they’ve established themselves as one of the best sites for good customer service, great bonuses and a huge range of betting markets.
