The August 1, 2025, episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown was packed with memorable moments and strong matches. One of the biggest highlights was John Cena returning as a babyface after delivering a heartfelt promo. However, the show still saw a dip in viewership.
According to Programming Insider, SmackDown averaged 1.544 million viewers on the USA Network, a decrease from the 1.707 million pulled in on July 25. The show scored a 0.46 rating in the P18–49 demographic (down from 0.48) and a 0.60 in the A25–54 demo (down from 0.63). It posted a 0.87 household rating, translating to approximately 1.088–1.101 million homes reached.
This week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown featured a lot of memorable moments and that included John Cena turning babyface again after cutting a heartfelt promo and he even shared a beer with Cody Rhodes.
Talla Tonga was also successful in his in-ring debut on WWE television, as he defeated Jimmy Uso in singles competition. This and many other moments took place throughout the night.
| Metric | July 25, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Viewers | 1,707,000 | 1,544,000 | ▼ –163,000 | –9.6% |
| Household Rating (HH) | 0.90 | 0.87 | ▼ –0.03 | –3.3% |
| P18–49 Demo Rating | 0.48 | 0.46 | ▼ –0.02 | –4.2% |
| A25–54 Demo Rating | 0.63 | 0.60 | ▼ –0.03 | –4.8% |
| Estimated Homes Reached | ~1.121M | ~1.095M | ▼ –26,000 | –2.3% |
Ringside News will continue to provide the latest viewership data and key developments from Friday Night SmackDown as WWE builds momentum towards Clash in Paris.
Are you surprised that John Cena's babyface turn saw a decrease in viewership for WWE Smack Down? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.