On the January 23 episode, WWE SmackDown failed to reach the one million viewer milestone but still managed to be the highest-rated show on cable television that evening. The program, serving as the final stop before Saturday’s main event, experienced a slight dip in viewership compared to the previous week.
SmackDown drew an average of 943,000 viewers on January 23, marking a 3% decrease from the January 16 broadcast, according to Wrestlenomics and data from Programming Insider. However, the show’s rating improved in the crucial 18-49 demographic, rising 5% from 0.21 to 0.22.
Over the subsequent four weeks, SmackDown averaged 1.068 million viewers, a 12% drop, and its viewership declined 31% year-over-year from 1.48 million in January of last year. Similarly, the show’s rating fell 15% from 0.26 during that period and plummeted 45% compared to last year’s average rating of 0.44.
The episode featured a heated clash involving Sami Zayn, Trick Williams, Damian Priest, and Randy Orton, who competed for a chance to become the number one contender to Drew McIntyre’s Undisputed WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. The show ended with a wild brawl following Zayn’s interference in the Priest-Williams match.
In other highlights, the team of Solo Chicor and Tama Tonga from MFT defeated Wyatt Thicke’s Dexter Loomis and Joe Gacy to claim the WWE Tag Team Championship. On the women’s side, United States Women’s Champion Julia teamed with Kiana James to win a triple threat match, earning the top contender spot for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Fan Take: These ratings shifts highlight how competitive and dynamic the WWE landscape is, reminding fans that every episode can significantly impact the momentum heading into major events like the Royal Rumble. The intense rivalries and title changes showcased here keep the excitement alive, signaling that WWE continues to deliver compelling storylines despite fluctuating viewership.
