The May 16, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown delivered another night of high-impact action on the USA Network, highlighted by the in-ring return of JC Mateo, who made a successful comeback to the squared circle. However, the episode saw a notable decline in viewership.
According to Programming Insider, SmackDown drew 1.290 million viewers, a 11.3% drop from the 1.455 million viewers on May 9. In the 1849 demographic, SmackDown posted a 0.36 rating, down from last weeks 0.41.
WWE SmackDown May 16, 2025: Viewership and Highlights
This weeks episode of Friday Night SmackDown saw JC Mateo making his in-ring debut against LA Knight, as he defeated the Megastar and solidified himself as a dominant force already.
Tiffany Stratton also ended up busted open Nia Jax the hard way during their WWE Womens Championship match on this weeks episode of Friday Night SmackDown. This and many other moments took place throughout the night for fans to enjoy.
WWE SmackDown Viewership Trends and Comparison
| Metric | May 16, 2025 | May 9, 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Viewers | 1.290 million | 1.455 million | -11.3% |
| 1849 Demo Rating | 0.36 | 0.41 | -12.2% |
| 2554 Demo Rating | 0.44 | 0.53 | -17.0% |
Ringside Newswill continue to provide the latest viewership data and key developments from Friday Night SmackDown as WWE builds momentum towards WrestleMania 41 this year.
Did you expect this weeks episode of Friday Night SmackDown to get such a rating? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
Why do you think the WWE Smack Down viewership is down last week? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
