WWE SmackDown Viewership Dips Before Holiday Episode

3 Key Points 

• WWE SmackDown’s taped episode on December 22nd observed a drop in viewership.
• Main event highlighted by AJ Styles vs Solo Sikoa, along with AOP return tease.
• Viewership trends showcase fluctuations in the weeks leading up to the holiday show.

SmackDown Ratings Overview

The December 22nd airing of WWE SmackDown, which was a taped show due to the holiday season, managed to capture an average of 2.01 million viewers. The demographics point to a .50 rating among the crucial 18 to 49 age group, as reported by Programming Insider. This performance shows a slight decline from the previous week’s figures.

Main Event Spotlight and AOP Teaser

In spite of being pre-recorded, SmackDown’s latest episode wasn’t short on entertainment. The main event put the spotlight on AJ Styles facing off against Solo Sikoa, maintaining the show’s momentum. Additionally, viewers witnessed a tantalizing hint at the potential return of the formidable tag team AOP, stirring up fan speculation and excitement.

Assessing Weekly Viewership Trends

Comparing the viewership numbers, we see a fluctuating pattern: the December 15th episode garnered 2.154 million viewers, while December 8th had a slightly higher capture of 2.29 million. On December 1st, the show drew in 1.952 million, indicating a rise from the Thanksgiving episode on FS1, which settled at 789,000 viewers and a .24 demo rating—a drop that was anticipated due to the holiday and the network switch.

WWE SmackDown continues to navigate through seasonal challenges and shifting viewership patterns. As WWE forges ahead without an off-season, fans are encouraged to stay tuned for the latest updates and match outcomes from the blue brand.