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What's the story?
According to ShowBuzz Daily, SmackDown Live's viewership was 2.582 million this week, up from last week's 2.455 million viewership number.
In case you didn't know...
SmackDown Live had a stacked episode this week with a very good main event match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton. Nakamura ended up defeating the 13-time World Champion clean to become Jinder Mahal's WWE Championship challenger at Hell In A Cell.
Apart from just the main event, the episode saw a huge brawl between Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens that led to a storyline suspension for the SmackDown Live commissioner. Some other notable events saw the Carmella-James Ellsworth storyline take a huge twist, Baron Corbin taking on Tye Dillinger, and more.
The heart of the matter
The latest episode of SmackDown Live saw a 5% increase in viewership from the previous week. It was 5th on cable this week, behind American Horror Story, The Haves & Have Nots, Rachel Maddow and Hannity. SmackDown Live was 2nd in the 18-49 demographic on cable this week, behind American Horror Story.
A viewership increase can be expected next week. In fact, the way it's been promoted, one would imagine that SmackDown Live has a high chance of beating RAW's viewership next week as well.
SmackDown Live next week is advertised like a PPV, being called "Sin City SmackDown Live" as it takes place in Las Vegas. SmackDown Live next week has three title matches and the return of Vince McMahon, who will be addressing the Kevin Owens-Shane McMahon situation.
RAW, on the other hand, is going up against the premiere of Monday Night Football next week.
What's next?
SmackDown Live has its biggest episode in a while next week. There is definitely a lot of anticipation going into next week's episode, and hopefully, it beats RAW for the second time since the 2016 draft.
Author's Take
It's great that SmackDown Live's viewership increased this week. The episode was high quality and entertaining from start to finish, keeping viewers hooked on. Next week has high expectations going in, and hopefully, it delivers!
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