WWE SmackDown experienced a continued decline in viewership on July 4, drawing in an average of 1.166 million viewers for a taped holiday episode. According to Wrestlenomics, the show earned a 0.32 rating within the 18 to 49 demographic, marking a decrease from the previous week’s 1.450 million viewers and a 0.41 demographic rating. This latest drop highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining audience engagement for the program.
Highlights and Key Matches from the Latest SmackDown
The episode began with a promo from Cody Rhodes, which was interrupted by Randy Orton, followed shortly by the unexpected return of Drew McIntyre. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair triumphed in a three-way tag team match, securing an opportunity to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. In another segment, Tiffany Stratton selected WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus as her opponent for the upcoming title defense scheduled at Evolution later this month. The main event featured Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso defeating Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo, closing out the show on a competitive note.
Implications of Continuing Viewership Decline
The steady decrease in WWE SmackDown viewership, especially during a holiday episode, raises concerns about the show’s connection with its audience. With ratings slipping in both total viewers and key demographics, the program faces pressure to deliver compelling content and rejuvenate fan interest. The upcoming Evolution event and title matches may prove critical in reversing this trend and regaining momentum with fans in the weeks ahead.
