WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown Continues to Struggle in Ratings
The February 13, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown on the SyFy Network drew a viewership of 1,042,000, marking a significant decline from the previous week’s numbers. The drop of 417,000 viewers from the 1,459,000 that tuned in on February 6 is a concerning trend for the WWE, as they strive to maintain a consistent viewership.
A Stacked Card Fails to Impress
Despite featuring a stacked night of action, including a highly anticipated match between The Usos and The New Day, as well as a showdown between Braun Strowman and Omos, the episode failed to captivate the audience. The Usos and The New Day delivered a thrilling match, but it seemed to fall flat with the viewers at home.
WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown Continues to Struggle in Ratings
The drop in viewership is not an isolated incident, as WWE SmackDown has been experiencing a steady decline in ratings over the past few months. This trend is particularly concerning, given the highly competitive nature of the professional wrestling landscape.
Potential Reasons Behind the Decline
Sources close to the WWE have attributed the decline in viewership to a variety of factors, including a lack of strong storytelling and a struggle to maintain a consistent main event narrative. The company has been working to revamp their creative direction, but it remains to be seen whether these efforts will pay off in the long term.
Backstage Reaction to the Decline
When asked about the decline in viewership, a WWE insider expressed concern about the company’s ability to connect with the audience. “We’re not sure what’s happening right now,” the insider said. “We’ve got great talent, we’ve got great storylines, but somehow we’re just not clicking with the viewers. We need to get back to basics and figure out what’s working and what’s not.”
WWE’s Plans to Address the Decline
The WWE has announced plans to revamp their creative direction, with a focus on more character-driven storytelling and a greater emphasis on in-ring action. The company has also stated their intention to increase the number of matches on the show, in an effort to provide a more well-rounded viewing experience for fans.
The Road Ahead for WWE SmackDown
As the WWE continues to navigate the challenges of maintaining a consistent viewership, it remains to be seen how they will address the decline in ratings. One thing is certain, however: the WWE will need to make significant changes in order to regain the trust of their audience and return to the top of the ratings.
Impact on WWE’s Long-Term Plans
The impact of the decline in viewership on the WWE’s long-term plans is still unclear. The company has a number of high-profile events on the horizon, including WrestleMania and SummerSlam, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to generate the kind of buzz and excitement that they typically do.
Conclusion
The decline in viewership for WWE SmackDown is a concerning trend that the WWE will need to address in the coming weeks. With a stacked roster and a number of exciting storylines on the horizon, there is no reason why the show cannot return to its previous levels of success. However, it will require a concerted effort from the WWE to regain the trust of their audience and provide a viewing experience that is worthy of the WWE brand.