The latest episode of WWE SmackDown, broadcast on the USA Network on Friday, December 26, 2025, drew 1.138 million viewers and posted a 0.27 rating among adults aged 18-49, according to WrestleNomics. This surge pushed WWE SmackDown TV ratings to their highest levels since late November, showing renewed interest in the wrestling brand.
Largest Audience and Demographic Numbers in Recent Weeks
This episode’s total viewership represented a 14.37% jump from the prior week’s count of 995,000. The program’s 0.27 demographic rating reflected a 28.57% increase from the previous week’s 0.21. Both the overall audience and the core demographic rating reached their peaks since the November 28 edition, which brought in 1.142 million viewers and a 0.28 in the 18-49 bracket.
Comparisons Against Yearly Performance
Across 2025 so far, WWE SmackDown is averaging a 0.381 rating in the 18-49 demographic, alongside 1.379 million viewers. This is lower than its comparative performance in 2024, during which it achieved a 0.577 rating and 2.034 million viewers, averaging across FOX and USA Network broadcasts.
Main Event Draws Spotlight to Key Figures
The newest broadcast featured a major segment with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, referee Dan Engler, Drew McIntyre—known as The Scottish Warrior—and the Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes, often referred to as The American Nightmare. Their involvement at the event’s climax helped drive viewer engagement and likely contributed to the improved WWE SmackDown TV ratings.
“TV RATINGS AND MORE: WWE Smackdown on USA Network, Fri Dec 26 #Smackdown https://t.co/MBicjz9jLO
— Wrestlenomics (@wrestlenomics) January 2, 2026”
What These Numbers Indicate for WWE SmackDown
The uplift in viewers and demographic interest appears tied to recent storyline developments and appearances by prominent personalities like Nick Aldis, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, and Dan Engler. These positive results suggest growing momentum for WWE SmackDown, with executives and fans likely watching to see if these higher ratings can be sustained in coming weeks.
TV RATINGS AND MORE: WWE Smackdown on USA Network, Fri Dec 26 #Smackdown https://t.co/MBicjz9jLO
— Wrestlenomics (@wrestlenomics) January 2, 2026
