The May 15, 2026 edition of WWE SmackDown — the first show after Backlash — saw a noticeable drop in numbers. According to Programming Insider, the episode drew 1.184 million viewers, down 7% from the previous week’s 1.279 million. Wrestlenomics also reported that the figure is about 10% lower than the brand’s four‑week average.
The decline was even sharper in the coveted 18–49 demographic. Ratings fell from 0.29 on May 8 to 0.23 on May 15, well below the recent average of 0.32. This marks SmackDown’s lowest performance since February 20, when the show aired on Syfy during Olympic coverage.
What Happened on the Show
Despite the dip, the episode featured several notable segments:
Trick Williams vs. The Miz: Williams clashed with The Miz after a heated exchange, but the U.S. Champion came out on top.
Paige & Brie Bella vs. Giulia & Kiana James: The Bella twins scored a victory in tag team action.
Gunther vs. Royce Keys: Keys interrupted Cody Rhodes and Gunther, leading to a match where Gunther secured the win and earned a shot at Rhodes at Clash in Italy.
Jade Cargill’s Rivalries: Cargill continued her ongoing feud with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss.
Takeaway
While the episode delivered storyline progression ahead of Clash in Italy, the ratings slump shows WWE has work to do in keeping fans engaged week‑to‑week. The Blue Brand will be looking to rebound with stronger numbers as the build to the premium live event continues.