Smackdown Rating: Final show before Royal Rumble, headlined by Orton vs. Harper with Miz vs. Ambrose added, drops in viewership

Last night’s WWE Smackdown on USA Network drew a 1.79 rating back down from last week’s 1.92 surge. The 1.79 is just below the ten week average of 1.83 headed into this week and the monthly average of 1.82. It’s actually below the year-ago rating of 1.87.

Keller’s Analysis: The January average for Smackdown was 1.84 last year and it’s just 1.82 this year. Disappointing dropoff consider the show is live and on USA Network and features exclusive use of John Cena, Randy Orton, A.J. Styles, and others.