WWE SmackDown ratings up despite tough competition on cable

Tuesday night’s episode of SmackDown rebounded to 2.582 million viewers, up five percent from the previous week. The show was fifth for the night in total viewers on cable and was second in the 18-49 demo with a 0.8 rating.

SmackDown was crushed by the season seven premiere of American Horror Story, which averaged 3.933 million viewers and a 2.02 rating in the 18-49 demo.

A first-time ever number one contender’s main event between Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton headlined SmackDown this week. The show was also up five percent in the year-over-year ratings as the September 6th, 2016 episode did 2.455 million viewers.

With Raw’s numbers being hurt by the show taking place on Labor Day and also going against big competition from college football, SmackDown retained 89 percent of the Raw audience from the previous night, one of the highest percentages since last year’s brand split.

There is a very real chance that SmackDown could actually beat Raw next week as they’re advertising three title matches and the return of Vince McMahon to television to address the Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens situation. Raw will be going up against the season premiere of Monday Night Football.