For those who scrutinize the ratings numbers a lot, it was a good start to the week, as data for shows airing the week of September 1 is finally available after nearly two weeks. And before that it was business as usual “TNA Impact” with their viewers on September 3rd“WWE SmackDown” got some pretty good news on the episode that aired a day later. Wrestlenomics and: SpoilerTV: reports that September 4 SmackDown drew 1.3 million total viewers and a 0.29 in the 18-49 demo.
Numbers increased in both categories compared to the August 28 episode of SmackDownTotal viewers were up 16% from 1.124 million viewers, while the primetime demo was up 26% from a 0.23. The numbers were good enough to put SmackDown at #1 on cable for the night. Despite that good news and week-to-week gains, the only place SmackDown struggled was its four-week average, with total viewers up just 2% to 1.28 million, while 18-49 was down 3% from a 0.30 average.
The September 4 SmackDown featured an interesting development for Johnny Gargano, who not only returned home to Cleveland, Ohio, but finally ended his months-long storyline after falling into a coma when he challenged Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk to face him in a title match. Despite Gargano’s efforts in the main event, Punk was ultimately able to walk away with the championship. It turned out to be Punk’s last successful title defense, as he would lose the championship to Sami Zayn this past Friday in Mexico CityThanks to an assist from Gargano.