This week’s Superstar Shakeup edition of WWE SmackDown, one of the biggest episodes of the year with significant roster moves announced, drew 2.219 million viewers. This is up from last week’s 2.199 million viewers for the post-WrestleMania 35 episode.
The show featured a big teaser that was announced ahead of time - Vince McMahon appearing in the ring to reveal the biggest talent acquisition in blue brand history. This ended up being Elias, which led to Roman Reigns coming out to join the roster.
SmackDown was #9 for the night in viewership on cable, behind Curse of Oak Island, Hannity, Tucker Carlson Tonight, The Five, The Ingraham Angle, the NBA Playoffs game between the Trailblazers and the Thunder, the NBA Playoffs game between the Raptors and the Magic, and Rachel Maddow Show. SmackDown was #3 in the 18-49 demographic this week, behind the two NBA games. Curse of Oak Island topped the night in viewership with 3.159 million viewers.
The big draw on network TV at 8pm was NCIS on CBS, which drew 11.879 million viewers.
The 2018 Superstar Shakeup edition of SmackDown drew 2.796 million viewers, down from the previous week’s 2.952 million viewers for the post-WrestleMania 34 episode. SmackDown was #5 in viewership and #2 in the 18-49 demographic for last year’s Shakeup episode.
To compare, Monday’s Superstar Shakeup edition of WWE RAW drew 2.665 million viewers, down from last week’s 2.923 million viewers for the post-WrestleMania 35 episode, which was the best RAW viewership since the post-SummerSlam 2018 episode, which drew 3.095 million viewers.
Below is our 2019 SmackDown Viewership Tracker:
January 1 Episode: 2.091 million viewers (New Year’s episode, taped)
January 8 Episode: 2.032 million viewers
January 15 Episode: 2.143 million viewers
January 22 Episode: 2.142 million viewers
January 29 Episode: 2.137 million viewers (post-Royal Rumble episode)
February 5 Episode: 1.841 million viewers (State of the Union competition)
February 12 Episode: 2.034 million viewers
February 19 Episode: 2.269 million viewers (post-Elimination Chamber episode)
February 26 Episode: 2.150 million viewers
March 5 Episode: 2.155 million viewers
March 12 Episode: 2.198 million viewers (post-Fastlane episode)
March 19 Episode: 2.208 million viewers
March 26 Episode: 2.393 million viewers
April 2 Episode: 2.141 million viewers
April 9 Episode: 2.199 million viewers (post-WrestleMania 35 episode)
April 16 Episode: 2.219 million viewers (Superstar Shakeup episode)
April 23 Episode:
2018 Total: 122.304 million viewers
2018 Average: 2.352 million viewers per episode
2017 Total: 132.401 million viewers
2017 Average: 2.546 million viewers per episode