WWE SmackDown’s September 5, 2025, episode achieved a significant ratings boost, drawing 1.585 million viewers, marking a 38% increase from the previous week’s 1.147 million audience. The spike is widely attributed to the highly anticipated return of AJ Lee, whose presence revitalized the show’s momentum and fan interest across key demographics.
AJ Lee’s Return Shakes Up SmackDown
After years away from WWE programming, AJ Lee’s surprise return on the September 5 episode generated massive buzz. Her reappearance in the closing segment, where she launched a fiery attack on Becky Lynch in defense of her husband CM Punk, was the night’s climax and a key driver for the increased viewership numbers. The segment quickly became one of the most-watched WWE SmackDown moments on YouTube, with the full return clip amassing over 5 million views in just a few days.
According to insiders, AJ Lee’s return was meticulously planned to coincide with the AllState Arena show in Chicago, capitalizing on the city’s passionate fanbase and the electric atmosphere of live WWE events. A WWE source told us, “Bringing AJ back was a masterstroke. The company knew that fans have been clamoring for her return and positioned it perfectly to maximize excitement and ratings.”
Viewership Breakdown: Key Demographic Growth
Beyond the total viewers, SmackDown also saw a remarkable increase in the crucial 18-49 age demographic, which advertisers closely monitor. The show earned a 0.51 rating in this group, up from a 0.28 rating the previous week—an 82% jump. This surge underscores AJ Lee’s broad appeal to younger wrestling fans who drive digital engagement and live-tune-in audiences.
Such demographic improvement contributed to WWE SmackDown topping the cable television charts on the night of September 5, outperforming other cable programming across all genres.
Other Highlights From the September 5 Show
Besides AJ Lee’s return, the episode featured other compelling storylines and matches that added to the night’s appeal:
John Cena’s SmackDown Farewell: The evening opened with a heartfelt in-ring promo from John Cena, who was interrupted by Sami Zayn challenging him to restart the U.S. Title open challenge. While their match ended in a no-contest due to interference from Brock Lesnar, Cena’s presence and farewell added emotional stakes to the show.
Brock Lesnar Steals the Spotlight: Lesnar’s involvement, delivering F-5 finishers to both Cena and Zayn, injected intensity and chaos, drawing significant online attention alongside AJ Lee’s segment.
Aleister Black vs. Damian Priest: This mid-card bout added wrestling substance to the night, pleasing fans who crave technical and hard-hitting action amid storyline-driven segments.
AJ Lee’s Impact Seen Across Digital Platforms
The excitement surrounding AJ Lee’s return translated into tremendous online engagement. Several SmackDown clips related to her and other featured moments garnered millions of views on WWE’s official YouTube channel:
| Segment | Approximate Views |
|---|---|
| AJ Lee’s return attacking Becky Lynch | 5.1 million |
| AJ Lee and CM Punk emotional segment | 2.1 million |
| Brock Lesnar’s F-5 finishes | 1.4 million |
| Sami Zayn vs. John Cena US Title Match | 1 million |
| John Cena’s final SmackDown entrance | 972,000 |
This digital traction has contributed to sustained fan interest and engagement beyond the live broadcast, helping WWE extend the episode’s reach and impact.
What This Means for WWE Moving Forward
Industry observers see AJ Lee’s return as a strategic move by WWE to rejuvenate SmackDown’s standing in the competitive Friday night wrestling landscape. With ratings up sharply and compelling content engaging fans, WWE appears poised to leverage this momentum into a strong fall season.
A WWE insider close to creative revealed, “AJ Lee’s comeback isn’t just nostalgic; it’s part of a bigger plan to fuel fresh rivalries and elevate storylines heading into the year’s final quarter. The company expects her to be central to the SmackDown brand’s narrative and to drive consistent viewership going forward.”
Conclusion: SmackDown Sets a New Benchmark
The September 5, 2025, episode has set a high-water mark for WWE SmackDown’s ratings this year, demonstrating the enduring power of star returns and well-crafted storytelling. As AJ Lee reintegrates into the fold, paired with John Cena’s farewell and the continued rise of key superstars like Brock Lesnar and Sami Zayn, WWE’s flagship Friday show looks to maintain its revitalized viewership momentum.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how WWE capitalizes on this renewed interest in the coming weeks. The success of the September 5 episode underscores that strategic surprises, meaningful character moments, and high-quality in-ring action remain critical drivers for WWE’s broadcast success.