Friday Night SmackDown produced its second most-watched episode of the year coming off the Clash at the Castle event last weekend.
The September 9th edition of SmackDown averaged 2,367,000 viewers and approximately 774,000 (0.57) in the 18-49 demographic, per Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics and Showbuzz Daily.
The show was up 14% in overall viewers and increased by 17% in the 18-49 demographic compared with last week’s taped edition of the show. There was a big increase among adults 35-49 by 25% and was the largest audience in that category since July 22nd, which was the day of Vince McMahon’s resignation announcement.
It was the second-highest audience of the year behind the June 17th episode, which was two days after the first report from the Wall Street Journal regarding hush money payments made by Vince McMahon, who appeared on that night’s episode.
Excluding the June 17th episode, you would have to go back to September 10th of last year with a show from Madison Square Garden than had more viewers than this week’s show.
In the 18-49 demographic, it was the fifth highest audience of the year and the best figure since July 22nd.
SmackDown ranked first among all network programs on Friday night and second place among all of television behind ESPN’s coverage of the U.S. Open Tennis tournament, which averaged 2,961,000 viewers and 0.67 in 18-49.
In Canada, SmackDown averaged 134,800 viewers and 66,200 in the 25-54 demographic on Sportsnet 360, which were down by 13% and 8% respectively from the previous week.
Friday’s show from Seattle was headlined by Drew McIntyre taking on Solo Sikoa, which was added during the show along with a fatal five-way match featuring Ronda Rousey wrestling on the show.
