Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown averaged 1.096 million viewers on the USA Network, down 12.9% from the previous week. It’s the lowest audience for the show since February 13th.
SmackDown averaged a 0.23 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s down 20.7% from the prior week and ties the lowest rating the show has done in that category since January 23rd.
The show finished 4th for the night on cable, going head to head with the deciding Game 5 in the NHL’s Eastern Conference Final.
As compared to the same week in 2025 the overall viewership was down 20.8% while the 18-49 rating was down 32.4%.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for WWE SmackDown on the USA Network as well as the 10 week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 18.1% in overall viewers and 28.1% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Dave Meltzer has a new article for subscribers running down wrestling ratings for the last week, which includes numbers for Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Dynamite, Collision, and much more.
Dave Meltzer is in Hawaii but that does not stop this man! We’re back to talk all the wrestling news including Dynamite and Collision this week, the AEW PPV on Sunday, SNME, everything you ever wanted to know about Ronda vs. Gina ratings, the Mexico update, and tons more! A packed show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps: Start: Phil Hickerson passes away 6:25: Ludwig Kaiser/El Grande Americano arrested on battery charges, Dave’s thoughts on Brock Lesnar’s return 10:46: Enzo Amore possibly coming back to NXT & Big Cass rumors, WWE town hall notes 13:39: Dave’s extensive thoughts on the Ronda Rousey/Gina Carano fight & numbers 37:41: CMLL notes 45:11: AEW Dynamite & Collision recap, Double or Nothing lineup 1:10:57: WWE NXT notes
Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown averaged 1.184 million viewers on the USA Network, down 7.4% from the previous week. It’s the second lowest audience for the show since February 27th.
SmackDown averaged a 0.23 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s down 20.7% from the prior week and is the lowest rating the show has done in that category since January 23rd.
The show topped the prime time cable charts on a night with no major sports competition, almost doubling the next highest show. It was fifth on television, trailing 4 network shows.
As compared to the same week in 2025 the overall viewership was down 8.2% while the 18-49 rating was down 36.1%.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for WWE SmackDown on the USA Network as well as the 10 week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 12.7% in overall viewers and 30.3% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Saturday night’s episode of AEW Collision averaged 384,000 viewers on TNT, up 12.3% from last week’s one-hour episode on TBS. It’s the second highest audience for the show since April 25th.
Collision averaged a 0.06 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up 20% from the prior week and ties the second highest rating the show has done in that category since April 16th.
The show went head to head with Netflix’s coverage of the Rousey vs Carano fight although the actual fight took place after Collision ended. It was also up against UFC Fight Night on Paramount+, the NHL playoffs on ABC and MLB on FOX. It tied for 21st on the night on cable in the key demo and finished 36th on cable in total viewers.
As compared to the same week in 2025, the overall viewership was down 3.5% while the 18-49 rating was down 25%.
Listed below are the total viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for the last 11 episodes of AEW Collision as well as the 10 episode average in both categories. This week’s show was down 8.3% in total viewers and 14.3% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Tuesday night’s WWE NXT episode averaged 498,000 viewers on The CW, down 22.3 percent from last week. This marks the lowest audience total the show has ever done on The CW and is the lowest overall number for NXT since July 30, 2024, when it was moved from the USA Network (the show’s home at the time) to SyFy.
In the 18-49 demo, NXT drew a 0.06 rating. That’s down 45.5 percent from last week and is the lowest rating the show has ever done in that category regardless of network.
The episode went head-to-head with an NBA playoff game on NBC as well as an NHL playoff game on ESPN which topped the network and cable charts respectively. Among the major English-language broadcast networks, NXT finished last in both overall viewers and 18-49.
As compared to the same week in 2025, NXT’s overall viewership was down 25 percent while the 18-49 rating was down 60 percent.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership numbers and 18-49 demo ratings for NXT, as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 14.8 percent in viewers and 33.3 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.
The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
The local TV business in the early 70s
The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
The growth of TBS
The launching of CNN
How Vince McMahon got on TBS
Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
The role Jim Barnett played
The death of Mid South Wrestling
The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
The death of WCW
How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
Reaction to the death of WCW
Numerous people react to the death
The tribute on AEW television
His exploits in other sports
Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
His charitable work
Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
WWE cuts continue and are looked at
A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
New Day bid farewell
WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
Backlash preview, business notes and odds
Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
New Japan Dontaku coverage
Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
NOAH big show notes
The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
Fantastica Mania Mexico
CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
Lots of injury updates
Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
Champion Carnival down to final four
Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
Raja Jackson case coming to a close
Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
Worldwide YouTuber numbers
Dana White talks McGregor’s return
Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
WWE SmackDown May 8, 2026 graphic Cody Rhodes, Gunther (Image credit: WWE)
— There will be no Observer radio today as Garrett and I are going to do a show Sunday morning Pacific time. Bryan and I will be up tomorrow night after WWE Backlash.
— The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is up today. It is one of the biggest in our history covering the life and times of Ted Turner, both as it related to pro wrestling, a small part of his life but one that still made him one of the three most influential figures in pro wrestling over the past 55 years.
— Thanks for all the nice comments on the Ted Turner story. This was one of the longest stories I’ve written and had to get it done in two days. Crazy. It’s among the best stuff I’ve done. I will say the WWE cuts story has some very notable information people haven’t fully noticed yet.
— AEW Dynamite on Wednesday did 590,000 viewers with an 0.10 in 18-49. Collision did 429,000 viewers and 0.07. Dynamite was 9th for the night and 4th in the time slot, behind NBA playoffs which did 5,178,000 viewrs and 1.59 in 18-49, NHL playoffs which did 1,260,000 and 0.31 as well as FOX News. Collision was 8th in its time slot. The latest change in cable continues to hurt all pro wrestling.
— Regarding the 275,000 viewer claim of NWA for Saturday, at this point we have no corroboration on it as to where that number comes from and how it was calculated. The NWA has announced its 78th anniversary event will take place on 7/25 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
— SmackDown tonight is from Jacksonville. The matches announced are Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James for the US title, Rhea Ripley & Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Jacy Jayne & Falln Henley & Lainey Reid, Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga plus appearances by Gunther, Jacob Fatu and the funeral of the Gingerbread Man. There were 7,340 tickets out for the show as of earlier today.
— Reports today from Ring Magazine list Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao as being held on 9/25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Netflix.
— Backlash tomorrow night from Tampa opens with Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker and Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn for the U.S. title on ESPN 2 at 6 p.m. Eastern. After that will be Danhausen & ? vs. Miz & Kit Wilson, Iyo Sky vs. Asuka and the main event of Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu for the world title. We have a preview in the current issue.
— We’ll be doing a weekend poll on Backlash, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
— Dana White called the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland feud the third biggest in UFC history behind Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier. That sounds high. I don’t see this as above Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir, Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans, GSP vs. Nick Diaz, GSP vs. Matt Serra, Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate or GSP vs BJ Penn.
UFC 328 starts at 5 p.m. Eastern on Paramount +
Clayton Carpenter (126) vs. Jose Ochoa (125)
Baisangur Susurkaev (186) vs. Djorden Santos (186)
Pat Sabatini (145) vs. William Gomis (15)
Roman Kopylov (185) vs. Marco Tulio (186)
Jim Miller (155) vs. Jared Gordon (156)
Grant Dawson (156) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (156)
Yaroslav Amasov (170) vs. Joel Alvarez (170)
Ateba Gautier (185) vs. Ozzy Diaz (186)
King Green (155) vs. Jeremy Stephens (160) – Stephens missed weight by three pounds and has forfeited 30 percent of his purse
Sean Brady (170) vs. Joaquin Buckley (170)
Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosts (264)
Joshua Van (125) vs. Tatsuro Taira (125) for the flyweight title
Khamzat Chimaev (185) vs. Sean Strickland (185) for the middleweight title
— From 8-10 p.m. on CBS they will air Amasov vs. Alvarez, Gautier vs. Diaz, Green vs Stephens and Brady vs Buckley.
— Arena Mexico tonight has Mistico & Titan vs. Angel de Oro & Cavernario Barbaro, Neon vs. Black Tiger, Futuro & Hombre Bala Jr & Max Star & Valiente Jr. vs. Elemental & Explosivo & Maquina Letal & El Terrible, Kira & Jarochita & Tessa Blanchard vs. Keyra & Reyna Isis & Zeuxis, La Calavera Jr. I & II vs. Diamante & Brillante Jr. and Espiritu Negro & Fuego & Rey Cometa vs Dark Magic & El Gallero & Espanto Jr.
— Saturday night at Arena Coliseo has Titan & Neon & Esfinge vs. Barboza & Difunto & Furia Roja, Yutani vs. Valiente Jr. in a lightning match and Los Gemelo Diablos vs. Euforia & Mephisto.
— Next Friday at Arena Mexico is the 20th anniversary of Me Muero, the song and music video that is now Mistico’s iconic entrance music. Keep in mind that we actually never hear that song on CMLL shows since they don’t have the rights. They do play the song in the building and the place goes crazy. Literally this is like if they played Cult of Personality in the buildings but then on television played a cover song so you couldn’t hear it or the crowd reaction. The same happened in New Japan. Tony Khan has paid for usage of the song, so the only televised place to hear it is actually on AEW television. The 20th anniversary main event is Mistico & Mascara Dorada & Neon vs. Volador Jr. & Averno & Ultimo Guerreo
— AAA TV tomorrow night looks to have Octagon Jr. vs. Cruz del Toro vs. Lince Dorado and Catalina vs. Jessy Jackson. This will air on YouTube after the Backlash broadcast ends.
— Walter Holloway, who wrestled for Matt Tremont’s H2O Wrestling group in the Northeast as well as other independent groups, passed away from a shooting at the age of 31. The shooting took place Wednesday night at about 10:30 p.m. in South Philadelphia. He had been shot several times. The belief is the shooting is related to an incident on Tuesday that has yet to be reported.
Saturday night’s episode of AEW Collision averaged 347,000 viewers on TNT, down 12.6% from the previous week. It’s the lowest audience for the show since January 24th.
Collision averaged a 0.06 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up 20% from the prior week but is the second lowest rating the show has done in that category since March 7th.
There was heavy sports competition as per usual on a Saturday night with the show going head to head against NBA and NHL playoff games on NBC and ABC respectively. Collision tied for 22nd on the cable charts in 18-49 rating and was 47th in terms of total viewers.
As compared to the same week in 2025 the overall viewership was up 1.8% while the 18-49 rating was identical.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo rating for AEW Collision as well as the 10 week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 18.8% in overall viewers and 14.3% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Last week’s episode of TNA Impact averaged 209,000 viewers on AMC, up 19.4% from the previous week. It was the third lowest audience for the show since January 29th.
Impact averaged a 0.03 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s the same rating the show did last week and matches the record low rating the show has done in that category since moving to AMC.
Going head to head with NBA and NHL playoff games, as they have the last few weeks, the show finished tied for 75th in the key demo and 74th in total viewers on cable for the night.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for TNA Impact on AMC as well as the 10 week rating in both categories. This week’s show was down 10.1% in overall viewers and 25% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite averaged 596,000 viewers on TBS, down 3.4% from the previous week. It’s the lowest audience for the show since January 21st.
Dynamite averaged a 0.08 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s down 20% from last week and and ties the lowest rating the show has done in that category since New Year’s Eve.
The show finished tied for ninth on the primetime cable charts for the nights going head to head with the NBA playoffs on ESPN and the NHL playoffs on TNT which took the top 2 spots. A second NHL game on ESPN 2 finished third.
As compared to the same week in 2025 the overall viewership was down 5.3% while the 18-49 rating was down 50%.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for AEW Dynamite on TBS as well as the 10 week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 12.4% in overall viewers and 33.3% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Dave Meltzer has a new article up looking at Netflix’s numbers for the last two weeks of Raw as well as additional information on WrestleMania 42 and the Hulk Hogan: Real American docuseries.
Saturday night’s AEW Collision averaged 423,000 viewers on TNT, up 13.4 percent from the prior week’s Thursday airing. The viewership is down 11.1 percent from two weeks ago when Collision last aired in its regular time slot.
Collision drew a 0.08 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up 14.3 percent from the prior week and steady with the show two weeks ago. While this episode drew Collision’s lowest total viewership on a Saturday night since March 7, it tied the second-highest 18-49 rating the show has done since February 14’s Grand Slam Australia special.
The show went head-to-head with UFC 327 on CBS for the first hour as well as the NBA on ESPN and Saturday night baseball on various networks.
As compared to the same week in 2025, Collision’s overall viewership was down seven percent while the 18-49 rating was down 33.3 percent.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership totals and 18-49 demo ratings for Collision, along with the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 4.4 percent in viewers but steady in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.
The April 10 episode of WWE SmackDown averaged 1.412 million viewers on USA Network, down 6.4 percent from the previous week. It’s the second-lowest audience total for the show since March 6.
In the 18-49 demo, SmackDown drew a 0.36 rating. That’s down 16.3 percent from the prior week but is the second-highest rating the show has done in that category since September 19, 2025.
The show went head-to head with ABC’s coverage of the Artemis II return to Earth, which led all of television on the primetime ratings charts.
As compared to the same week in 2025, SmackDown’s overall viewership was down nine percent while the 18-49 rating was down 20 percent.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership numbers and 18-49 demo ratings for SmackDown, as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was up 7.6 percent in viewers and 12.5 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.
