Katsuyori Shibata’s first match in an AEW ring and the novelty of Mike Tyson on commentary led to an increase in Rampage’s younger viewership.
The live episode from Atlantic City on Friday averaged 455,000 viewers and approximately 183,000 (0.14) in the 18-49 demographic, per Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics and Showbuzz Daily.
The show ranked #20 among cable originals airing against the NBA and college football in its timeslot.
Rampage aired against the ending of the Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics game that topped cable with 1.47 million viewers and 0.50 in the 18-49 demo and the start of the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves that finished second with 1.12 million and 0.44 respectively. Rampage also went against back-to-back college football games on ESPN 2, which ranked third and fifth among cable originals on Friday.
While the overall numbers were not through the roof, the 18-34 audience was its highest amount since April while also experiencing notable gains in the 12-34 demographic.
Overall viewership was up 20% from last week but down from the October 21st episode. The 18-49 audience was up by 16% and its highest in three weeks.
In the 18-49 demo, female viewership grew 35% this week and males were up by 14%.
The 18-34 demo ballooned by 62.5% from last week and was the highest figure in its regular time slot since April 8th of this year.
In the 12-34 demo, males grew by 50% and women increased by 36% from last week.
The only significant loss was among adults 35-49 which declined by 11% this week.
Adults 50+ grew by 29% this week for a two-week high in that demo.
The show was promoted around Mike Tyson appearing on commentary for the opening match between Katsuyori Shibata and Orange Cassidy in a match no one could have anticipated one week ago. It was Shibata’s first advertised “professional wrestling match” since his subdural hematoma injury in April 2017. Shibata has had two exhibition matches over the past year, including one with Ren Narita at Wrestle Kingdom 16 that turned into a real match but was not promoted as one.
The rest of the show saw Wardlow & Samoa Joe take on the Gates of Agony, and Dr. Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter defeating Madison Rayne & Skye Blue.
