3 Key Points
- WWE SmackDown viewership reached 2.578 million, with a strong 0.75 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
- Key segments featuring Triple H, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes drove significant interest and ratings.
- The Elimination Chamber match qualifiers and WrestleMania 40 buildup contributed to the show’s success.
Impressive Viewership for SmackDown
WWE’s SmackDown episode on February 9 showcased a remarkable increase in viewership numbers, hitting a total of 2.578 million viewers. The show scored a 0.75 rating among the coveted 18-49 demographic, marking a notable success for the WWE brand. Dave Meltzer, a respected voice in wrestling journalism, highlighted these figures, pointing out the absence of competing football events as a possible factor in the viewership spike.
Star-Powered Segments Boost Ratings
The anticipation surrounding appearances by The Rock, Roman Reigns, and Triple H significantly contributed to the surge in SmackDown’s ratings. Segments involving Triple H, both at the opening discussing a press conference and later alongside Paul Heyman, as well as a piece featuring Bayley and Damage CTRL, were particularly influential, each drawing over a million viewers from the 18-49 demographic.
WrestleMania 40 and Elimination Chamber Buildup
The episode served not only as entertainment but also as a platform to build up momentum for the upcoming WrestleMania 40 and the Elimination Chamber event. Triple H’s announcements concerning the Elimination Chamber match to decide a challenger for Seth Rollins’ World Heavyweight Championship were crucial. Moreover, the fallout from WrestleMania 40’s Kickoff event, including The Rock’s slap to Cody Rhodes, added a layer of drama and anticipation for wrestling fans.
Qualifying Matches Add to the Excitement
Qualifying matches for the Elimination Chamber, featuring talent like Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and AJ Styles, kept fans on the edge of their seats. The narrative continued on WWE Raw, where an Australian wrestler missed their chance to compete at the Elimination Chamber, adding more intrigue and storyline depth as WrestleMania 40 draws closer.
This blend of high-profile appearances, strategic storytelling, and athletic competition underscores WWE’s knack for capturing and retaining audience interest, setting the stage for what promises to be an explosive road to WrestleMania 40.
