SmackDown Viewership Can’t Hit 2.6 Million On 8/1 Even With Two Huge Matches

Last night's episode of SmackDown Live, featuring both Kevin Owens vs AJ Styles for the US Title and a first-time ever dream match between Shinsuke Nakamura and John Cena in a #1 Contendership Bout, drew 2.569 million viewers, according to Show Buzz Daily. This is up less than 2% from the 2.535 million viewers that watched last week's show, which featured the surprise return of Chris Jericho and an impromptu Triple Threat US Title Match between  Owens, Styles and Jericho.

SmackDown came in at #3 in total viewership on cable last night, behind Rachel Maddow on MSNBC and Tucker Carlson on FOX News. SmackDown did manage to secure the #1 spot in the 18-49 demographic.

By comparison, Monday's RAW drew 3.163 million viewers, which is 19% more than SmackDown drew..