WWE SmackDown viewership increased ahead of the Royal Rumble premium live event.
According to Wrestlenomics, 2.544 million viewers tuned in on Friday, which is up from last week, when 2.257 million viewers watched the show .
In the 18 to 49 demographic, SmackDown scored a 0.67 rating, which is also up from last week (0.55 rating). SmackDown’s demographic viewership was the show’s highest since the Christmas 2020 episode, which had an NFL lead-in. Otherwise, Friday’s number was a new high dating back to March 2020.
Per Showbuzz Daily, SmackDown tied with Telemundo’s El Señor de los Cielos for the top spot in the demographic on Friday.
WWE Smackdown, Friday on Fox (8-10pm):
2,544,000 viewers
P18-49 rating: 0.67AEW Rampage, Friday on TNT (10-11pm):
458,000 viewers
P18-49 rating: 0.14Expect ranking info later from Showbuzz
? https://t.co/qDSSxyBniZ pic.twitter.com/PlrXRoZnRH— Wrestlenomics (@wrestlenomics) January 31, 2023
This week’s episode was the go-home show for the Royal Rumble, and it featured a singles match between Rey Mysterio and Karrion Kross. Plus, Ricochet and Braun Strowman battled Hit Row, Legado del Fantasma battled Imperium, and Lacey Evans returned. In the main event, Kevin Owens faced Solo Sikoa.
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