WWE Friday Night SmackDown, broadcast on USA Network on January 16, 2026, showcased several significant moments, including Cody Rhodes announcing his participation in the upcoming Royal Rumble. According to Programming Insider, the show attracted an average of 968,000 viewers on USA Network, a slight decline from 990,000 viewers the previous week, marking a 2.2% drop.
The decrease was more evident in the key 18-49 age demographic, where the show’s rating fell from 0.26 on January 9 to 0.21 on January 16, representing a 19.2% decline. These figures reflect traditional live TV viewership and do not include streaming on Peacock or delayed viewing.
Highlights from the January 16 episode featured Cody Rhodes delivering a fierce promo after losing the WWE Undisputed Championship to Jacob Fatu and announcing his Royal Rumble entry. Additionally, Leon Slater responded to Carmelo Hayes’ U.S. Championship Open Challenge, resulting in an exciting match. Several other noteworthy moments unfolded throughout the night.
The weekly viewership comparison is as follows:
| Metric | January 9, 2026 | January 16, 2026 | Change | % Change |
|————————-|—————–|——————|———-|———-|
| Total viewers | 990,000 | 968,000 | -22,000 | -2.2% |
| P18-49 Demo rating | 0.26 | 0.21 | -0.05 | -19.2% |
Ringside News will continue to report the latest viewership trends and key updates from Friday Night SmackDown as WWE builds excitement leading into Saturday Night’s Main Event.
What are your thoughts on the recent drop in SmackDown’s viewership? Share your opinions and feedback in the comments below.
Fan Take: This dip in ratings is a critical signal for WWE as it highlights the challenge of maintaining strong engagement even with popular stars like Cody Rhodes featured prominently. For fans, it underscores the importance of fresh storylines and compelling matches to keep interest high in the evolving wrestling landscape.
