{"id":204039,"date":"2025-09-05T17:54:25","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T22:54:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=204039"},"modified":"2025-09-05T18:00:29","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T23:00:29","slug":"big-viewership-test-tonight-for-wwe-smackdown-after-alarmingly-low-rating-for-episode-advertising-john-cena-last-week-full-ratings-details","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/09\/05\/big-viewership-test-tonight-for-wwe-smackdown-after-alarmingly-low-rating-for-episode-advertising-john-cena-last-week-full-ratings-details\/","title":{"rendered":"Big viewership test tonight for WWE Smackdown after alarmingly low rating for episode advertising John Cena last week &#8211; full ratings details"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2774556899\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><div id=\":2zc\" class=\"Am aiL Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tY\" tabindex=\"1\" role=\"textbox\" contenteditable=\"true\" spellcheck=\"false\" aria-label=\"Message Body\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-owns=\":53e\" aria-controls=\":53e\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n<p>Despite an advertised appearance by John Cena, last Friday night\u2019s (8\/29) episode of WWE Smackdown on USA Network averaged 1,147,000 viewers heading into Memorial Day Weekend, compared to 1,258,000 the prior week and the 1,430,000 the week before that. The prior ten-week rolling average is 1,453,000<\/p>\n<p>Although the holiday can partially explain this dropoff, it is part of a larger downward trend. Smackdown drew 1.707 million on July 25, so this latest viewership number is over 550,000 lower one month later. On the Fourth of July holiday two months ago, it drew 1.116 million and then rebounded the next week to 1.399 million, still below the 1.450 million it drew the week before, but solid.<\/p>\n<p>The key 1849 demo was even worse, drawing a 0.28. compared to 0.35 the prior two weeks and as recently as July 25 and Aug. 8, it drew 0.48 ratings. On the Fourth of July, it drew a 0.32 rating, so last Friday was the worst demo rating of the year.<\/p>\n<p>There will be a lot of eyes on Smackdown&#8217;s rating this week to see if it was blip or part of a concerning trend for WWE losing viewer interest. It&#8217;s especially concerning since John Cena was advertised for the show, and his return this year was supposed to be a boost to WWE viewership.<\/p>\n<p>WWE is advertising the following tonight:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>John Cena makes final appearance in Chicago<\/li>\n<li>C.M. Punk returns to SmackDown<\/li>\n<li>Sami Zayn returns to Smackdown as new U.S. Champion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There is also some hope and anticipation of possible appearances by A.J. Lee and Brock Lesnar.<\/p>\n<p><em>ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Check out the latest episode of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show covering the latest episode of Raw: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/wwe-raw-post-show-9-1-keller-fann-discuss-paris-crowd-breakker-reed-without-heyman-becky-confronts-punk-dom-styles--67586940\">CLICK HERE<\/a> to stream (or search \u201cwade Keller\u201d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WWE RAW POST-SHOW (9\/1): Keller &amp; Fann discuss Paris crowd, Breakker &amp; Reed without Heyman, Becky confronts Punk, Dom-Styles\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=67586940&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>MORE PERSPECTIVE &#8211; COMPARING PAST TWO YEARS<\/h3>\n<p>One year ago this week, Smackdown on Fox drew 2,054,000 viewers on Fox. The ten-week rolling average a year ago was 2,204,000.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-2490427335\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Two years ago this week, Smackdown on Fox drew 2,647,000. Then ten-week rolling average was 2,237,000.<\/p>\n<p>In the key 18-49 demo, Smackdown drew a 0.28 rating, compared to 0.35 and 0.35 the prior two weeks. The prior ten-week rolling average was 0.41.<\/p>\n<p>One year ago, Smackdown drew a a 0.53 rating with a ten-week rolling average of 0.61.<\/p>\n<p>Two years ago, it drew a 0.78 rating with a ten-week rolling average of 0.61.<\/p>\n<p>The announced matches and segments were\u2026<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Solo Sikoa vs. Sami Zayn \u2013 United States Championship match<\/li>\n<li>The Street Profits (Montez Ford &amp; Angelo Dawkins) vs. Melo Don\u2019t Miz (Carmelo Hayes &amp; The Miz) \u2013 WWE Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender\u2019s match<\/li>\n<li>Charlotte Flair &amp; Alexa Bliss vs. The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven &amp; Alba Fyre) \u2013 WWE Women\u2019s Tag Team Championship match<\/li>\n<li>Michin vs. Kiana James<\/li>\n<li>John Cena to address Logan Paul\u2019s blindside attack<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/category\/prowrestlingnews\/ratings\/\">RATINGS HEADQUARTERS PAGE<\/a> for more ratings reports.<\/p>\n<h3>Stay right here and keep the flow going. We think you&#8217;ll like to read this next&#8230;<\/h3>\n<p><strong>RECOMMENDED NEXT:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/09\/04\/nikki-bella-says-whether-she-is-bothered-by-two-botches-spots-in-her-match-against-becky-lynch-at-clash-in-paris\/\">Nikki Bella says whether she is bothered by two botched spots in her match against Becky Lynch at Clash in Paris<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"entry-meta\"><strong>OR CHECK THIS OUT AT PROWRESTLING.NET:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/prowrestling.net\/site\/2025\/09\/04\/maven-on-whether-considers-himself-an-active-wrestler-beating-undertaker-taking-the-first-f5-from-brock-lesnar-on-wwe-tv\/\">Maven on whether considers himself an active wrestler, beating Undertaker, taking the first F5 from Brock Lesnar on WWE TV<\/a><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1773729951\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>(You can always reach PWTorch editor Wade Keller at <a href=\"mailto:kellerwade@gmail.com\">kellerwade@gmail.com<\/a>. You can also send live event results and news tips to <a href=\"mailto:pwtorch@gmail.com\">pwtorch@gmail.com<\/a>. Also, we&#8217;re always looking for volunteer contributors to help us round out of coverage of the pro wrestling scene.)<\/p>\n<p><strong>Follow us on Blue Sky, a great Twitter alternative, as we shift away from TwitterX\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/pwtorch.bsky.social\">https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/pwtorch.bsky.social<\/a> (search \u201cpwtorch\u201d)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/thewadekeller.bsky.social\">https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/thewadekeller.bsky.social<\/a> (search \u201cthewadekeller\u201d)<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wade Keller Post-show (8\/29) - WWE Smackdown w\/cohost Chris Adams\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wCKAwU6c0cE?start=76&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-787430562\"><div id=\"pwtor-3909953361\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Despite an advertised appearance by John Cena, last Friday night\u2019s (8\/29) episode of WWE Smackdown on USA Network averaged 1,147,000 viewers heading into Memorial Day Weekend, compared to 1,258,000 the prior week and the 1,430,000 <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2025\/09\/05\/big-viewership-test-tonight-for-wwe-smackdown-after-alarmingly-low-rating-for-episode-advertising-john-cena-last-week-full-ratings-details\/\" title=\"Big viewership test tonight for WWE Smackdown after alarmingly low rating for episode advertising John Cena last week &#8211; full ratings details\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":194145,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,6916,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-204039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prowrestlingnews","category-ratings","category-news_wwe"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-07-at-11.23.14\u202fAM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=204039"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":204041,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/204039\/revisions\/204041"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/194145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=204039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=204039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=204039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}