WWE News: 2013 Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber pay-per-view buys show big increase from 2012

WWE released the pay-per-view buy information as part of the 2013 first quarter earnings report earlier today.

The Royal Rumble pay-per-view scored 512,000 buys, up from 443,000 buys last year, 446,000 buys in 2011, and 462,000 buys the same event produced in 2010.

The WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view produced 213,000 buys, up from 178,000 buys in 2012, 199,000 buys in 2011, and 285,000 buys generated in 2010.

Powell's POV: The addition of The Rock to the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber shows seems to be the biggest factor in the increase. WWE's pay-per-view revenues were up 15 percent to $37.5 million from $32.5 million in the prior year quarter. We will have live coverage of the quarterly conference call coming at 10:00 a.m. CT. Vince McMahon is expected to host the call and take questions.