Smackdown Rating: Did Wildcard Rule lead to a rebound in viewership after last week’s record low rating?

The May 7 episode of WWE Smackdown drew a 1.46 rating, above last week’s record-low 1.38, but still otherwise the lowest rating since Feb. 5 and among the lowest ratings in Smackdown history. Total viewership was 1.931 million.

One year ago this week, Smackdown drew a 1.60 rating and 2.298 million viewers, representing a drop of over 350,000 viewers.

In the cable rankings Tuesday night, in the coveted 18-49 adult demographic, Smackdown finished no. 4 (with a 0.6 rating in that key demo) behind both NBA playoff games (which both drew 1.4 rating) and the seventh and deciding NHL playoff game between the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues (which drew a 0.7 rating). “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” on Bravo ties Smackdown with a 0.6 rating, but had fewer viewers (1.730 million).

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