For those very into studying ratings numbers, it’s been a good start to the week, as data for shows airing the week of September 1 have finally been made available nearly two weeks later. And while it was business as usual for “TNA Impact” in regards to their viewership on September 3, “WWE SmackDown” got some pretty good news regarding the episode that aired one day later. Wrestlenomics and SpoilerTV report that the September 4 “SmackDown” drew 1.3 million total viewers, and 0.29 in the 18-49 demo.
The numbers were up in both categories compared to “SmackDown’s” August 28 episode, with total viewership increasing 16% from 1.124 million viewers, while the key demo rose 26% from 0.23. The numbers were good enough for “SmackDown” to place #1 for the evening on cable. Despite that good news and the week to week gains, the one place “SmackDown” struggled against was the four week average, with total viewership only up a slight 2% from 1.28 million, while 18-49 was down 3% from an average of 0.30.
The September 4 “SmackDown” featured an interesting development for one Johnny Gargano, who not only returned home to Cleveland, Ohio finally ended his months-long storyline of appearing comatose after being challenged by Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk to face him in a title match. Despite a game effort from Gargano 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 City, thanks to an assist from Gargano.
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