WWE SmackDown Viewership Increases Following Backlash 2017
Jinder Mahal helps the blue brand rebound from last week.
WWE SmackDown posted their lowest viewership of 2017 last week, attracting just 2.175 million fans to tune-in for Backlash's go-home show. Raw followed suit with their lowest TV rating of the year earlier this week, but SmackDown have rebounded somewhat, drawing an audience of 2.328 million for their May 23rd event.
The show was built around new WWE Champion Jinder Mahal's Punjabi Celebration, along with a set of major Money In The Bank announcements from Commissioner Shane McMahon. While the figure represents a clear improvement, however, it is still SmackDown's third lowest audience of the year.
SmackDown finished eighth in terms of overall cable viewership on the night, with the NBA Playoffs, Inside The NBA, Tucker Carlson, Rachel Maddow, Hannity, The Five, and Special Report drawing bigger numbers. The show was number three in the key 18-49 demographic, trailing the aforementioned NBA shows.
SmackDown's average rating has been in decline since the Superstar Shake-Up on April 11th, but things should theoretically improve next week. The NBA conference finals will be over by Tuesday, and the next series doesn't begin until Thursday, so we'll see how Jinder & co. do without major sporting competition.