WWE SmackDown saw a huge increase in viewership on September 5, featuring John Cena’s final appearance on the blue brand and the return of AJ Lee.
According to Wrestlenomics, SmackDown averaged 1.585 million viewers on Friday. The show drew a 0.51 rating in the 18 to 49 demographic. The viewership is up from last week’s episode, when an average of 1.147 million viewers tuned in. The demo also rose from last week’s show (0.28 rating in the same demographic).
TV RATINGS AND MORE: WWE Smackdown on USA Network, Fri Sep 5 #Smackdown https://t.co/aN5c4Y5yYU
— Wrestlenomics (@wrestlenomics) September 9, 2025
What happened on WWE SmackDown this week?
This week’s show kicked off with an in-ring promo from John Cena. He was interrupted by Sami Zayn, who announced he wanted to start the US Title open challenge back up and make Cena his first opponent.
Cena and Zayn wrestled to a no-contest when Brock Lesnar got involved and F-5’d both men.
Elsewhere on the show, Aleister Black defeated Damian Priest.
In the closing segment of the evening, AJ Lee made her long-awaited return to the company, attacking Becky Lynch and defending her husband, CM Punk.
READ MORE: Report: Surprising Details On AJ Lee’s WWE Contract
What did you think of SmackDown this week? What was your favorite match or segment? Let us know your overall thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
