WWE SmackDown finishes fourth on network TV’s weekly standings, Raw first on cable

WWE’s two major programs did strong numbers in the final weekly standings for the week of 8/14 to 8/20.

Smackdown, with the Edge 25th anniversary celebration and tease of it possibly being his last match, finished fourth among network TV shows in the 18-49 demo. The only shows all week that beat it were three episodes of Big Brother.

It should be noted that Smackdown’s numbers were down for the second straight week due to NFL preseason coverage preemptions.

Smackdown has been hovering near the top of the ratings for weeks but has been unable to hit the no. 1 spot, even though it dominates Fridays. Smackdown’s shot at being No. 1 will end during football season as every regular season NFL game on television will be ahead.

Raw was first on cable for last week, beating out a number of NFL preseason games. Saturday’s UFC PPV prelims that featured the return of Chris Weidman placed third for the week and first for the night. AEW Dynamite was 13th, trailing Raw, UFC, Sunday Night Baseball, two entertainment shows and seven NFL games or bridges between games on the NFL Network.

WBD now lists AEW, as FOX and USA list its shows, as entertainment rather than sports. In the entertainment standings, Raw was first, Sister Wars were second, 90 Fiance was third and AEW Dynamite was fourth.