On January 23, 2026, WWE Friday Night SmackDown aired on the USA Network, delivering several notable highlights, including MFT capturing the WWE Tag Team Championships. According to Wrestlenomics, the show drew an average of 943,000 viewers, a slight drop from the previous week’s 968,000, marking a decrease of 25,000 viewers or 2.6%.
Despite the overall dip in total viewers, SmackDown experienced an uptick in the crucial 18-49 age demographic, with a rating rising from 0.21 on January 16 to 0.22 on January 23, which translates to a 4.8% growth in this key audience segment. During this episode, Solo Ciclor and Tama Tonga defeated Wyatt Six to claim the WWE Tag Team Titles. Additionally, the rivalry between Jacob Fatu and Cody Rhodes escalated, featuring a dramatic storyline centered around Fatu’s time in prison, among other significant moments throughout the evening.
| Metric | January 16, 2026 | January 23, 2026 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Viewers | 968,000 | 943,000 | -25,000 | -2.6% |
| P18–49 Demo Rating | 0.21 | 0.22 | +0.01 | +4.8% |
As WWE builds momentum toward the Royal Rumble, Ringside News will keep fans updated with the latest viewership statistics and key developments from Friday Night SmackDown.
Fan Take: This episode’s strong engagement within the 18-49 demographic is encouraging, signaling that WWE is maintaining interest among its core audience despite slight dips in total viewership. With rising storylines like the MFT’s championship win and the intense Fatu-Cody feud, fans can expect exciting developments that could reshape the landscape heading into the Royal Rumble.
