Smackdown Rating: Key metrics and perspectives on a bit of a ratings surge for the blue show (w/Keller’s Analysis)

Last night’s Smackdown drew a 1.88 rating, above the previous four weeks, and the second-highest rating of the fall season. It was well above the fall average of 1.71 and the prior ten week rolling average of 1.70.

Keller’s Analysis: The Raw rating was also up, which often indicates Smackdown’s rating will be higher. WWE advertised Luke Harper vs. Dean Ambrose as the main event on Raw, and hyped A.J. Styles vs. James Ellsworth only late in the day Tuesday. All in all, an encouraging number, and there’s a chance Smackdown next week could beat Raw. By spending the last two weeks building up John Cena’s return to Smackdown, plus the Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin match, and considering Raw falls the day after Christmas up against a marquee Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions NFL game – a match-up of two Division leaders and playoff-bound teams –