WWE SmackDown got pulverized by the return of the NFL (preseason). Thursday night’s episode drew 2.083 million viewers and a 0.56 rating in the 18 – 49 demographic; those numbers are down 13% and 18% from last week’s 2.405 million and 0.68 demo rating.
Those numbers are the lowest in recent memory; the last time the show ranked lower was the December 19th, 2014 episode with 1.995 million viewers and a 0.51 demo rating. It is important to note however that the December episode was a replay of a live Tuesday airing.
SmackDown ranked #4 for the night among cable originals with the NFL preseason game on the NFL Network topping the night (2.523 million viewers, 0.91 demo rating).