Subhojeet Mukherjee on January 2, 2026
The December 26, 2025 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown on USA Network featured several standout moments, including Carmelo Hayes winning the WWE United States Title. In fact, the show saw an increase this time around.
According to Programming Insider, SmackDown averaged 1,138,000 viewers on USA Network, marking an increase from the 995,000 viewers recorded on December 19. That represents a week-to-week gain of 143,000 viewers, translating to a 14.4% increase in overall audience.
The show also saw meaningful growth in the key P18–49 demographic, posting a 0.27 rating, up from 0.21 the prior week. This jump of 0.06 points reflects a 28.6% increase in the core demo
WWE SmackDown December 26, 2025: Viewership and Highlights
This week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown featured a lot of memorable moments and that included Carmelo Hayes defeating Ilja Dragunov in a solid match. This marked Hayes’ first title win on the main roster and it was a big deal.
Trick Williams also made an appearance on Friday Night SmackDown, declaring himself as a free agent and he even sent a warning to Cody Rhodes. This and many other moments took place throughout the night.
WWE SmackDown Week-to-Week Viewership Comparison
| Metric | December 19, 2025 | December 26, 2025 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Viewers | 995,000 | 1,138,000 | +143,000 | +14.4% |
| P18–49 Demo Rating | 0.21 | 0.27 | +0.06 | +28.6% |
Ringside News will continue to provide the latest viewership data and key developments from Friday Night SmackDown as WWE builds momentum towards Saturday Night’s Main Event.
What do you think about the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown seeing an increase in viewership? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.
January 2, 2026 5:02 pm
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