December 26 episode posts strong gains on USA Network
Summary
– WWE SmackDown averaged 1,138,000 viewers on December 26, 2025
– The show saw a 14.4% increase compared to the previous week
– The P18–49 demo rose sharply following Carmelo Hayes’ title win
WWE Friday Night SmackDown delivered a notable ratings rebound on December 26, 2025, following a newsworthy episode on USA Network. The broadcast featured Carmelo Hayes capturing the WWE United States Championship, a moment that coincided with a sizable viewership increase.
According to Programming Insider, SmackDown averaged 1,138,000 viewers for the night. That total represents a gain of 143,000 viewers compared to the December 19 episode, which drew 995,000.
The growth was also reflected in the key P18–49 demographic. SmackDown posted a 0.27 rating in the demo, up from 0.21 the prior week, marking a 28.6% increase.
Hayes’ victory over Ilja Dragunov was a central highlight of the show. The win marked Hayes’ first championship reign on the WWE main roster and served as a defining moment in his career.
The episode also featured Trick Williams making an appearance, where he declared himself a free agent and issued a warning to Cody Rhodes. Those developments added to a night packed with storyline progression.
The combination of title change and major character moments resonated with viewers. SmackDown closed the holiday week with upward momentum heading into the new year.
