Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown averaged 1.24 million viewers on USA Network. That figure marked a 16.7 percent increase from the previous week and represented the show’s highest audience since September 19, which came before Nielsen transitioned to its Big Data plus Panel ratings system.

The episode aired on the eve of John Cena’s retirement match but did not feature an appearance from Cena himself. In the key 18 to 49 demographic, SmackDown posted a 0.26 rating. That number was up 8.3 percent week to week, although it still tied for the second lowest rating the show has recorded in that category since October 31.

Despite the relatively modest demo number, SmackDown finished first across all of television in the key demographic on Friday night. The main sports competition came from women’s college basketball on ESPN2, with two games partially overlapping SmackDown’s broadcast. Those games placed second and fourth on the cable rankings for the evening.

When compared to the same week in 2024, which was measured under Nielsen’s previous panel only system, SmackDown’s overall viewership was down 19 percent. The 18 to 49 rating saw a sharper decline year over year, falling by 44.7 percent.

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