-- Friday's episode of WWE Smackdown on the USA Network averaged 1.568 million viewers, an improvement from last week's 1.495 million. In the 18-49 demographic, Smackdown averaged a 0.45 rating to finish second the night behind a college football game on ESPN that drew a 0.93.
-- Notably, Smackdown beat the other college football game airing on Fox that drew a 0.38 rating, which essentially is what replaced it on the station. It also comes a week after Fox sent out a press release two weeks ago that took a subtle, indirect shot at WWE. Speaking on the ratings from September 20, the statement noted that a football game airing in the Friday evening block did 81% better than the programming (WWE Smackdown) they had airing there last year.
