1/31 WWE SmackDown Sees Big Viewership Increase

1/31 WWE SmackDown Sees Viewership Increase Ahead of Royal Rumble

1/31 WWE SmackDown Sees Big Viewership Increase – WWE SmackDown on January 30 drew 1.26 million viewers on USA Network, according to Wrestlenomics. The number marked a notable increase from the January 23 broadcast, which brought in 943,000 viewers. The episode aired one week before the 2026 Royal Rumble, positioning it as the final SmackDown leading into the premium live event.

In addition to the overall viewership rise, SmackDown also posted a stronger performance in the key 18–49 demographic. The show delivered a 0.29 rating, up from the 0.22 rating recorded the previous Friday. The improvement reflects increased interest heading into Royal Rumble weekend and the buildup across multiple storylines. Join our “Royal Rumble winners list” page for every details you need.

Digital engagement around the episode was also strong, with several segments gaining traction on WWE’s YouTube channel. The most-watched video from the show featured Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, and Jey Uso opposing The Vision, drawing 1.2 million views. A related match involving Rhodes, Orton, Uso, and Zayn against The Vision generated 494,000 views.

Another highlight included Stephanie Vaquer assisting Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair in a win over Judgment Day, which reached 461,000 views. Jacob Fatu’s attack on Drew McIntyre followed with 375,000 views, while a confrontation between Judgment Day, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss drew 309,000 views.

These digital numbers reflect continued interest in SmackDown’s top storylines as the road to Royal Rumble intensified. With momentum building from both television and online audiences, WWE entered the premium live event with increased visibility and engagement across its platforms.