Smackdown on Friday nears 2 million viewers, falls in the key demographic

WWE Smackdown on Friday night was viewed by 1.95 million viewers, down from last week’s 2.1 million viewers. The show’s rating in the key adult 18-49 demographic dropped from 0.48 last week to a 0.47 this week. Other demos were also down week over week. Men 18-49 dropped from a 0.52 to a 0.51 and the younger male demo of men 18-34 dropped significantly from a 0.38 to a 0.30.

The show was buoyed by major segments including the Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship “I Quit” Match contract signing for WrestleMania Backlash, Riddle vs. Jey Uso, and a Lumberjack Match between Drew McIntyre and Sami Zayn. Rousey and Charlotte opened the show and exchanged verbal blows before both signed on the dotted line. Rousey beat up Drew Gulak to wrap the segment before staring Flair down.

Riddle defeated Jey Uso with a rollup. He beat Jimmy Uso last week on Smackdown. After the match, Roman Reigns disappointedly spoke to both Usos and told them to make sure he helped keep the Reigns name out of the mouths of others in the locker room.

Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn in the Lumberjack Match was the main event. Zayn and McIntyre battled with lumberjack involvement, but ultimately, Zayn was able to escape them and run away. After he did, Adam Pearce appeared on stage and revealed that Zayn would face McIntyre in a cage match next week on the show.

Other segments throughout Friday included an in-ring interview with Sasha Banks & Naomi, which led to new challengers to their Women’s Tag Team Championship, Shayna Baszler & Naomi, and Madcap Moss vs. Angel Garza.

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