WWE SmackDown Overnight Viewership Inflated By NFL Preemption

WWE brought an episode of SmackDown after SummerSlam that received an impressive overnight rating. The final overall overnight average was over 2.8 million, but that number isn’t going to stick.

The NFL is back in session and preseason games are throwing a wrench into WWE’s television show. According to Brandon Thurston from Wrestlenomics, WWE’s overnight average was inflated because 24 markets saw a preemption from the NFL. That will likely bring the final number much lower.

WWE Smackdown was preempted in at least 24 markets last night for NFL preseason games.

Fast affiliates indicate Fox was watched by 2.87 million viewers 8-10pm. Expect a lower final rating for Smackdown reported Monday.

We won’t know the final number until the ratings are released on Monday afternoon. Keep checking back with Ringside News as we continue monitoring this ongoing situation. On a related note, WWE will have to move SmackDown to FS1 for two weeks in October due to Major League Baseball.

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