The October 31, 2025 episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown made headlines for two contrasting reasons: Drew McIntyre standing tall over Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in a gripping main event segment, yet the show’s viewership crashed to an unprecedented low. This dual narrative highlights the challenges WWE faces in maintaining its television audience even when delivering compelling storylines.
Record-Low SmackDown Ratings Mark a Troubling Trend
The October 31 SmackDown episode garnered an average of 933,000 viewers on USA Network, setting a new record as the lowest non-preempted viewership in the history of Friday Night SmackDown[1][2][3]. This figure fell below the 1-million viewer threshold for the first time ever in the show’s regular time slot. The key demographic rating among adults aged 18-49 was also at a low 0.20, reflecting a significant dip compared to previous weeks and historical averages[2][4].
This drop is part of an ongoing decline; earlier in 2025, SmackDown had already hit record low audiences multiple times, including drops under 1.15 million viewers in August and early October[1]. The October 31 episode’s numbers represent the fourth all-time low for the show this year alone.
Intense Sports Competition Played a Role
Industry analysts and insiders widely attribute part of this viewership decline to stiff competition from other sports broadcasts. The World Series’ Game 6 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays drew over 17 million viewers on Fox, dominating primetime sports viewership[1][2]. Additionally, college football and NASCAR championship races aired simultaneously, further fracturing the sports-watching audience.
According to a wrestling industry source close to WWE, “The World Series really pulled a huge chunk of the audience away. Wrestling fans who might normally tune in on a Friday night were captivated by the baseball showdown, which is a natural seasonal challenge”[1].
Drew McIntyre’s Standover: A Highlight Despite the Numbers
Fans witnessing the show were treated to a gripping closing segment that saw Drew McIntyre emphatically standing tall over Cody Rhodes during their ongoing feud heading into Saturday Night’s Main Event. The build-up featured intense exchanges, including McIntyre powerbombing Rhodes through a table and a strong declaration that he would take the WWE Undisputed Title from Cody the following night[5].
This moment was strategically booked to generate buzz for the pay-per-view event. While McIntyre closed Friday’s SmackDown as the dominant figure, he would go on to lose the title match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
A backstage source revealed, “WWE wanted to end the show strong to keep momentum for the pay-per-view, especially with Cody and Drew’s storyline. They were hopeful that this climax would translate into higher engagement, but the timing with major sports events was tough”[5].
Broader Impact on WWE’s Week-to-Week TV Health
The viewership slump is concerning for WWE’s broader business, particularly as SmackDown has traditionally been a staple in the Friday night programming lineup. The sharp decline in both audience and 18-49 demo ratings puts pressure on WWE to reassess its programming strategies as it faces modern challenges in television consumption.
Wrestling veteran Maven commented on the broader context of fan engagement and accessibility, suggesting that ticket and viewing options play a role in fan retention. He remarked, “Vince McMahon understood that making wrestling accessible and affordable was the key to building generational fans. Right now, some of those barriers have risen, and it’s part of why we see drops in viewership. Families just aren’t coming in like before”[3].
Comparison to Recent and Historical Viewership Figures
To emphasize the gravity of the decline, the October 31 viewership contrasts sharply with previous years’ numbers:
| Date | Viewers (Millions) | 18-49 Demo Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2025 | 0.933 | 0.20 |
| Oct 24, 2025 | 1.024 | 0.22 |
| Nov 1, 2024 | 1.428 | 0.43 |
| Nov 3, 2023 | 2.119 | N/A |
This decline represents nearly a 60% drop in viewership compared to November 2023 and an alarming reduction in core demographic engagement within just two years[2][6].
What’s Next for WWE SmackDown?
The October 31 episode is a stark signal that WWE needs to innovate its approach to television and digital content delivery to recapture lapsed fans and attract new viewers. Analysts suggest that WWE must leverage its storytelling brilliance while balancing scheduling to avoid direct clashes with major sporting events.
A WWE insider expressed cautious optimism: “WWE is aware of the numbers and is actively exploring ways to generate more engagement, whether through enhanced storylines, digital content, or possibly reconsidering broadcast times. There’s no denying SmackDown remains a vital show, but adjustments are necessary to sustain its future”.
Conclusion
While the October 31 SmackDown delivered in-ring excitement with Drew McIntyre’s decisive closing moment over Cody Rhodes, the historic drop in viewership to under 1 million marks a troubling milestone for WWE. Facing intense sports competition and shifting audience habits, WWE’s blue brand confronts significant challenges to maintain and grow its weekly TV audience going forward. The company’s response in the coming months will be critical to restoring SmackDown’s standing as a premier wrestling television program.