The January 2, 2026 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown on USA Network featured several standout moments and that included Randy Orton making his shocking return to WWE television.
According to Programming Insider, SmackDown averaged 1.175 million viewers on USA Network, an increase from the 1,138,000 viewers recorded on December 26. In the key P1849 demographic, the show saw a 0.28 rating, up from 0.27 the prior week.
These numbers reflect traditional TV viewership and do not include Peacock streaming or digital on-demand figures.
WWE SmackDown January 2, 2026: Viewership and Highlights
This weeks episode ofFriday Night SmackDown featured Randy Orton making his surprise return as he confronted the Miz and hit him with back-to-back RKOs, as fans approved.
Thats not all, as even Matt Cardona made his return to WWE television, effectively ending his run as Zack Ryder. This and many other moments took place throughout the night.
WWE SmackDown Week-to-Week Viewership Comparison
| Metric | December 26, 2025 | January 2, 2026 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Viewers | 1,138,000 | 1,175,000 | +37,000 | +3.3% |
| P1849 Demo Rating | 0.27 | 0.28 | +0.01 | +3.7% |
Ringside Newswill continue to provide the latest viewership data and key developments from Friday Night SmackDown as WWE builds momentum towards Saturday Nights Main Event.
Are you surprised the viewership was up for WWE Smack Down last week? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
