The August 8, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown on USA Network recorded a modest rise in ratings, attracting 1.557 million viewers. This marked a slight increase compared to the 1.544 million who watched the previous week’s SummerSlam 2025 go-home show on August 1, confirming steady interest in WWE programming.
The show, which aired from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, featured a main event tag-team match with John Cena and Cody Rhodes facing off against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. The key 18-49 demographic rating also improved, rising from 0.46 on August 1 to 0.48 on August 8, highlighting WWE SmackDown’s ability to maintain viewership in a crucial advertising segment.
Key Matches and Venue Details for the August 8 Broadcast
Broadcast live from Montreal’s Bell Centre, the August 8 SmackDown event showcased high-profile talent and competitive storylines. The main event pairing of John Cena and Cody Rhodes against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre underscored WWE’s strategy to combine veteran stars with contemporary personalities, drawing viewer engagement after SummerSlam.
Additional WWE News and Industry Updates
Beyond SmackDown, the WWE landscape this week included notable developments such as a major tag-team match added to the WWE Raw lineup from Québec City, the absence of Naomi due to medical clearance issues which led to the removal of a big title match, and backstage updates on a veteran WWE superstar’s recent release, drawing interest from top U.S. promotions. MLW announced a special ‘MLW Lucha De Los Muerto’ event for November 20 in South Carolina, featuring a partnership with actor Danny McBride.
In other arena news, a WWE Hall of Fame legend was selected to join Corey Graves as a partner for the AAA TripleMania XXXIII commentary team, further connecting WWE and broader wrestling entertainment circles.
Trending Stories Surrounding WWE and Wrestling Industry
Current backstage rumors include reports of top AEW talent causing significant drama, Karrion Kross sharing his reasons for departing WWE including disagreements and effort concerns, and updates related to the Hulk Hogan funeral involving notable absences and high-profile attendees. Additionally, speculation continues about Austin Theory’s status with WWE, and Sami Zayn’s return to SmackDown was confirmed alongside announcements for the upcoming Clash in Paris event.
