SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
Last night’s WWE Smackdown Live on USA Network drew a 1.67 rating, down from the 1.73 the last two weeks and the 1.93 rating three weeks ago with Vince McMahon’s planned appearance.
This week’s rating is the lowest since a 1.59 rating on July 11. Multiple shows in May and June drew ratings under 1.67.
May averaged 1.78. The 2017 average so far is 1.76 and the rolling ten-week average headed into this week was 1.76.
Keller’s Analysis: Not what WWE hopes for going into a PPV weekend, but up against the Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees AL Wildcard Game, it’s understandable they’d lose some viewers in those markets and in general across the country.
The Wildcard match of the Twins vs the Yankees? That really isn’t a barn burner, but I agree it probably cost them some viewers. The truth is, Smackdown is just not very good right now. Mahal as the champion has not worked. Shane Mcmahon at nearly 50 wrestling wrestlers is played out. It just is bad tv.