Last Friday’s SmackDown drew one of its strongest audiences in months.
According to Fast Nationals data, the show averaged 1.43 million viewers on USA Network, with 426,000 in the adults 18-49 demographic. That number topped all other networks in the key demo for the night.
If the 1.43 million figure holds in Nielsen’s final numbers, it would mark WWE SmackDown’s highest viewership since April 17, the last episode before WrestleMania 42, which drew 1.58 million viewers and a 0.42 in the 18-49 demo.
The number also marked a significant jump from the prior week. The July 31 episode, SmackDown’s go-home show before SummerSlam, pulled 1.379 million viewers and a 0.31 in the key demo.
Wrestling News @WrestlingNewsCo Follow The show drew 1.43 million viewers and 426,000 in the 18-49 demographic on USA Network, per the preliminary numbers.
If the audience holds, it tops last week's 1.379 million and makes… Show more
8:17 PM · Aug 10, 2026Friday’s episode was the first SmackDown following SummerSlam and featured a confrontation between Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk and Kevin Owens, who returned at the premium live event and emerged as the next title challenger. Owens confirmed he will face Punk on the August 21 SmackDown in Toronto.
Charlotte Flair defeated Jade Cargill in the main event, a match that also saw Tatum Paxley’s main roster debut and the return of Alexa Bliss.
Final viewership numbers have not yet been released.