The January 9, 2026 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown on USA Network featured several standout moments and that included Drew McIntyre winning the WWE Title.
According to Programming Insider, SmackDown averaged 990,000 viewers on USA Network, a decrease from the 1.175 million viewers recorded on January 2. In the key P18–49 demographic, the show saw a 0.26 rating, down from 0.28 the prior week.
These figures reflect traditional linear TV viewership on USA Network and do not account for Peacock or delayed viewing.
WWE SmackDown January 9, 2026: Viewership and Highlights
This week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown saw Drew McIntyre defeat Cody Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE Championship in a three-stages-of-hell match, thanks to a returning Jacob Fatu.
Jordynne Grace also had a solid showing against Alba Fyre before she was confronted by Jade Cargill. This and many other moments took place throughout the night.
WWE SmackDown Week-to-Week Viewership Comparison
| Metric | January 2, 2026 | January 9, 2026 | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Viewers | 1,175,000 | 990,000 | -185,000 | -15.7% |
| P18–49 Demo Rating | 0.28 | 0.26 | -0.02 | -7.1% |
Ringside News will continue to provide the latest viewership data and key developments from Friday Night SmackDown as WWE builds momentum towards Saturday Night’s Main Event.
