World Series Crushes WWE SmackDown and AEW Collision to Record-Low TV Ratings

The clash between baseball’s biggest event and professional wrestling last weekend led to historical lows for both WWE SmackDown and AEW Collision in television viewership and demographic ratings. The World Series Game 6 and Game 7 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays attracted massive audiences, leaving WWE and AEW struggling to maintain their typical viewership numbers.

WWE SmackDown Hits New Low in Viewership and Demographics

The October 31 episode of WWE SmackDown, aired from Salt Lake City on the USA Network, saw its lowest ever ratings with only 933,000 total viewers and 272,000 viewers in the key 18-49 demographic, translating to a 0.20 rating. This represented a sharp 19% decline in total viewers and a 31% drop in the coveted age group compared to prior weeks, underlining the heavy impact of competing programming[2][5][7].

Halloween night and the timing of the World Series’ Game 6 broadcast on Fox, which attracted over 17 million viewers and a 3.52 rating among adults 18-49, contributed significantly to this steep slump. Despite this, SmackDown still managed to top cable TV ratings on Friday night, outperforming other popular broadcasts such as ESPN’s college football game between Syracuse and North Carolina[2].

Notably, the viewership decline was evenly spread across males and females within the demographic. Male viewership dropped by 32% to approximately 175,000, while female viewership fell by 30%, indicating a broad erosion of the fanbase that evening[2].

AEW Collision Shrinks to Record Small Audience Amid Game 7 of the World Series

Just one day later, AEW Collision on TNT faced even more daunting competition during the World Series Game 7. The wrestling program averaged a mere 217,000 viewers with a dismal 0.03 rating in the 18-49 demo—the lowest recorded in the show’s history to date. This was a decline from the prior week’s 228,000 viewers and 0.04 rating.

The seventh and deciding game of the championship series drew a colossal 24.8 million viewers and a 5.85 demo rating on Fox, making it nearly impossible for AEW to retain its audience. Additionally, WWE aired a Saturday Night’s Main Event special exclusively on Peacock simultaneously, further splitting wrestling fans’ attention.

It is important to note that HBO Max streaming figures for Collision are not publicly reported and therefore not included in these numbers. Yet, the stark drop on linear TV remains undeniable[1][4].

Industry Reactions and Insider Perspectives

According to a WWE insider who spoke on condition of anonymity, “Halloween night coupled with the World Series was a perfect storm that made it impossible for WWE SmackDown to perform at its usual level. While the drop is concerning, many within WWE view this as a temporary setback rather than a sign of systemic decline.”

Similarly, sources close to AEW acknowledge that the timing of such a major sporting event directly affected Collision’s ratings. “AEW continues to push innovative content, but the challenge of going head-to-head with the World Series is a hurdle any show would struggle with,” said an AEW production member.

What This Means for Wrestling Audiences and Future Scheduling

The competition between WWE and AEW for wrestling fans’ attention is longstanding, but both companies faced a common opponent in the World Series, which commanded a staggering audience share. The dual impact translated into some of the weakest ratings in recent wrestling history.

These data points could influence scheduling decisions moving forward. Networks and wrestling promotions may look to avoid direct clashes with major live sports events, particularly when audiences heavily favor such broadcasts for their immediacy and cultural importance.

Wrestling analysts speculate that WWE’s SmackDown performing above competing college football on cable despite severe drops showcases the brand’s residual appeal. Meanwhile, AEW Collision might need to bolster streaming efforts and digital engagement, as traditional TV ratings alone might not fully capture audience interest.

Summary of Key Ratings Impacts

The contrast in viewership underscores how major live events like the World Series can drastically reshape audience behavior in competing entertainment categories.