Programming Insider has dropped the latest Nielsen ratings for the September 27 episode of “WWE SmackDown” on the USA Network, the blue brand’s third show since its move from FOX. Last week’s show pulled in 1,568,000 total viewers, with a 0.45 rating in the key 18-49 demographic, which put “SmackDown” at number two overall behind the Virginia Tech vs. Miami college football game on ESPN.

Advertisement

On the bright side, that’s a 5% uptick compared to the September 20 edition of “SmackDown,” which had 1,494,000 total viewers. But when stacked against the average of the last four weeks (including FOX’s final two episodes), overall viewership is down slightly from 1,760,000.

The numbers suggest that September wasn’t a strong showing for “SmackDown” as a whole. The month’s average viewership of 1,639,000 is 30% lower than what “SmackDown” pulled in during September 2023 (2,327,000).

In the ever-important 18-49 demographic, the show’s 0.45 rating was the same as last week. Breaking down that audience further, female viewers actually increased by 2% while male viewers dropped 15%, which could have something to do with college football. Viewership outside the 18-49 group also dipped 11%.

Advertisement

As for the action inside the ring, September 27’s “SmackDown” was headlined by Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens teaming up to face Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline. It also featured a number one contender’s match for the WWE Women’s Championship. Bayley’s victory over Naomi ensured that she will receive her rematch with Nia Jax at Bad Blood on October 5. The return of AJ Styles after a three-month hiatus was also announced for the October 4 go-home episode before Bad Blood.

As already established names in the wrestling business, Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood (together known as FTR) are currently focused on elevating the younger wrestlers of AEW, much like others have similarly done for them in the past. During a recent episode of “Close Up,” Wheeler recalled two of his early career influences — that being WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix and Adam “Edge” Copeland.

Advertisement

“Adam and Beth have been my wrestling parents for 12, 13 years now,” Wheeler said. “I met Adam when he first moved to Asheville, [North Carolina] in 2009 actually. We became friends over time. He was still world champion, all these things, and he took the time to give me advice without me even having to ask him. He just wanted to help. Before I ever had anything to offer those people, they went out of their way to make sure I was learning and had stuff. They took care of me. That’s just what they do. Then eventually him and Beth got together. I was there for the beginning of their relationship, so cute. Adam was like ‘I think Beth likes me.'”

According to Wheeler, Copeland and Phoenix played a big part in boosting him over the “threshold” to eventually get signed to WWE in 2014. From there, Wheeler forged a tag team with Harwood under the banner of “WWE NXT.” Fast forward 10 years, young teams from all across the wrestling landscape are now looking up to them for inspiration. Wheeler now also works in the same company as one of his previous mentors, Copeland.

Advertisement

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Close Up” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.