Overview
- The Dec. 5 SmackDown on USA Network averaged 1,063,000 viewers with a 0.24 rating in adults 18–49, per Wrestlenomics.
- Viewership fell 7% and the 18–49 demo dropped 14% from the prior week, marking the show’s lowest figures since Halloween.
- Marquee segments, including the tournament final to determine John Cena’s last opponent and a Cody Rhodes–Drew McIntyre angle, did not prevent the slide.
- Reported attendance at Austin’s Moody Center was 7,881, a 21% decline from WWE’s previous visit to the city.
- Coverage cites heavy college football competition, SmackDown’s move to USA Network, and Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel rollout, with some expecting Cena’s farewell weekend to offer a short-term bounce.