By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

WWE Smackdown on Friday, September 21 featuring an unadvertised return by Edge scored a 1.95 rating, which was essentially even with a 1.96 rating the previous week and 1.95 rating two weeks ago.

Smackdown averaged 2.86 million viewers, which was up six percent compared to the previous week, but down three percent compared to Sep. 7.

Meanwhile, the season premiere of "Haven" featuring Edge immediately following Smackdown averaged 2.00 million viewers, which has to be viewed as a victory for Syfy when wrestling audiences typically only tune in for wrestling and don't stick around for other shows.

On cable TV Friday night, Smackdown ranked #2 in overall viewers behind Fox News programming in the 8:00 p.m. EST hour. Smackdown ranked #1 in key male demos and adults 18-49.

In the week-to-week demographic ratings, Smackdown was up compared to Sept. 14, but down or even with Sept. 7. The key highlight for the Edge Smackdown was the highest males 18-49 rating since June 22.

Caldwell's Analysis: Smackdown scored a nice rating in the key male demo, but it's overall an inefficient use of Edge returning to Smackdown. If WWE advertised Edge in-advance during Monday's Raw or planned in-advance to advertise him on last week's Smackdown, they likely could have hit 3.0 million Smackdown viewers for the first time since March.

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