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For their WrestleMania 33 ‘go home’ show, SmackDown opened with a contract signing between AJ Styles and Shane McMahon, and ended with Randy Orton and a “crusix”... whatever that is.
It gave the blue brand its third straight week of increased viewership, while staying within the range we’ve come to expect since WWE started airing their “other show” live on Tuesday nights.
2.7 million people tuned in to USA Network, good for the fifth biggest audience among cable originals, behind three Fox News programs and the increasingly popular Rachel Maddow Show on CNBC (and the other end of the political spectrum). WWE won the night in ratings among 18 - 49 year olds, as usual, with a .86.
Next week, we’ll see what SmackDown can do with a live ‘Mania fallout episode, as they’ll still be in Orlando after Sunday’s Ultimate Thrill Ride. While we wonder if that might be the formula to get them over 3 million viewers, here’s a list of the blue brand’s audiences this year:
March 21 - 2.65 million
March 14 - 2.63 million
March 7 - 2.74 million
February 28 - 2.57 million
Feb. 21 - 2.79 million
Feb. 14 - 2.63 million
Feb. 7 - 2.63 million
Jan. 31 - 2.82 million
Jan. 24 - 2.56 million
Jan. 17 - 2.65 million
Jan. 10 -2.53 million
Jan. 3 - 2.59 million
For complete results and the live blog for SmackDown this week click here. To read a complete recap & review of all the night’s events click here. For a full playlist of the show click here.