By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

WWE Smackdown on Friday, October 26 leading to Hell in a Cell scored a 1.93 rating, which was down one-tenth from a seasonal high 2.03 rating last week. Outside of the Oct. 19 rating, it was the highest Smackdown rating in four weeks.

Smackdown averaged 2.82 million viewers, which was down four percent from last week's seasonal high of 2.93 million viewers. Outside of Oct. 19 viewership, it was the most viewers in four weeks.

The story was the same in the demographic ratings - drop-offs in key male ratings from last week's seasonal highs, but high-marks compared to the prior four weeks.

One demo that actually increased compared to last week was the unpredictable teen male audience, which was up nearly five-tenths of a rating to the highest m12-17 rating since September 7.

Overall on cable TV Friday night, Smackdown ranked #4 in overall viewers, #4 in males 18-34, and #3 among males 18-49. During the first hour, Smackdown ranked #1 in all key male demos and younger viewers.

Caldwell's Analysis: It was such an unusual, one-week gain on Oct. 19 that Smackdown retaining some of that gain on the HIAC lead-in show can be viewed as a positive sign. If Smackdown slips back to where they were in early October, then it will just be a wash after a short-term pop. It will be interesting to see how Big Show's World Title win affects Smackdown viewership this Friday, with Sheamus no longer World champ for the first time in six months.

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