WWE SmackDown experienced a notable increase in viewership on July 18, drawing an average of 1.546 million viewers on the USA Network. The show also recorded a 0.45 rating in the key 18 to 49 demographic, marking an improvement from the previous week’s 1.399 million viewers and 0.37 demo rating.
Key Moments and Matches Highlight the Night
The episode opened with the MFTs attempting to implicate Jacob Fatu in a car accident he did not cause, setting an intense tone outside the venue. In the tag team division, Andrade and Rey Fenix emerged victorious over DIY, Motor City Machine Guns, and Fraxiom, earning a future opportunity to challenge the Wyatt Sicks for the WWE Tag Team Championships at the next event. This win added significant momentum for the duo.
Charlotte Flair continued her dominant run by defeating Raquel Rodriguez, building anticipation ahead of their upcoming title match at SummerSlam. The main event segment featured a contract signing between Cody Rhodes and John Cena, officially scheduling their street fight at SummerSlam. This confrontation concluded the night with high stakes and increased fan interest toward the buildup.
Implications for WWE and Upcoming Events
The rise in WWE SmackDown July 18 viewership reflects growing audience engagement as storylines intensify. The success of this episode could signal stronger ratings in future broadcasts, especially with SummerSlam approaching. Additionally, the contract signing between Rhodes and Cena positions a high-profile match that is expected to attract further attention.
Fans can expect the upcoming WWE Tag Team Title match and the SummerSlam bouts to be pivotal moments in the WWE calendar. With fresh storylines and rising superstars, the program’s upward trend in viewership demonstrates WWE’s ongoing appeal and its ability to develop compelling narratives.
