A shocking development has emerged around Friday Night SmackDown. Under the new Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel methodology ratings system, the October 3, 2025, episode of Friday Night SmackDown pulled 1.030 million and a 0.23 rating in the key demographic as reported by Programming Insider.
These numbers are down from the previous week’s show, which had 1.238 million viewers and a 0.35 rating. The viewership SmackDown garnered should concern WWE creative heads who are focused on making WWE a global product now more than ever. However, these five wrestlers can boost the numbers back up, and WWE needs to capitalize on it.
5. Drew McIntyre
The Scottish Warrior Drew McIntyre has proven time and again that he has what it takes to become the next undisputed WWE Champion. McIntyre can deliver remarkable promos and is equally ruthless when it comes to competing against prominent talents inside the squared circle.
As a heel, McIntyre has been a compelling and gruesome opponent to almost every major babyface character in WWE SmackDown at the moment, be it Randy Orton or Cody Rhodes.
Drew Mcintyre was crazy for this 😭pic.twitter.com/CFsFGzr3nx
Furthermore, a potential storyline feud where McIntyre and another prominent talent attempt to outperform one another can elevate the plummeting situation of Friday Night SmackDown. As a former WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre has the experience of being at the top against the absolute best in the locker room, and therefore, the Scottish Giant can handle anything and anyone WWE decides for him.
4. Jade Cargill
Jade Cargill has risen through the ranks to become a prominent WWE superstar. However, the company has not yet decided whether to push her to the next level or not. She has been impressive, particularly against Tiffany Stratton while challenging for the undisputed Women’s WWE Championship.
While superstars like Rhea Ripley have dominated the proceedings of the women’s division at Monday Night RAW, having a strong female character at SmackDown will enhance interest to the same level. Jade Cargill, with her remarkable rise through the ranks in the company, has the right set of qualities to fill that vacuum in the blue brand and make it as relevant as the red roster, if not more.
Cargill has the personality and charisma of a Champion, and the time is now right to think beyond ‘Tiffy time’. This could, in turn, create an interest around the title and the heated feud between two able competitors of the women’s division inside the ring.
3. Shinsuke Namakura
One of the many major reasons why SmackDown’s rating is declining is because of the absence of seasoned superstars in the existing roster of the blue brand. Shinsuke Nakamura, one of the greatest Japanese WWE superstars to have ever stepped inside the ring, can fulfill this vacuum and elevate the interest levels of the wrestling community.
Nakamura’s technical prowess and the ability to work with a variety of superstars, particularly with the emerging ones, make him a delight to watch. Nakamura’s consistent presence inside the ring can also address the uncertainty looming around his future in the WWE.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Sami Zayn
– NXT TakeOver Dallas 2016
Still feels like one of the best matches that ever happened on Earth😮💨pic.twitter.com/wKOtFozKYB
This may prove beneficial for Friday Night SmackDown in the long run because his supporters and the huge fan following he has are bound to tune in to see their favorite WWE superstar evolve in the proceedings of the blue-brand on a regular basis.
2. Solo Sikoa
Solo Sikoa is trying to rebrand himself away from the shadows of Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. Sikoa is now trying to create a dominant faction of his own with his MFTs, which include the likes of Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and JC Matteo. But given the inconsistent booking schedule for this faction, they have not been able to create the kind of hype that would impact everyone as expected, including the fans and their rivals in the WWE.
WWE creative heads under Triple H need to engage them with a rival faction and work on creating a strong persona for them. This can, in turn, hype up the viewership and create a dedicated following around this group of young, emerging, talented WWE superstars. The time is now right for the company to elevate his career and create a personality of his own beyond his former role as an ally-turned-rival of Roman Reigns.
The Tag Team division of Friday Night SmackDown currently lacks intensity with no compelling group determined to take the Wyatt Sicks heads on. The MFTs could be the answer to that problem, as engaging them with the Uncle Howdy-led faction will create a more consistent booking for the Wyatt Sicks as well.
MFTs can also emerge as proper challengers to the WWE Tag Team Titles currently held by Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy.
1. Sami Zayn
The current United States Champion, Sami Zayn, is one of the most iconic WWE superstars in the current locker room. The Canadian superstar has drawn significant attention with his open challenge for the United States, which, interestingly, featured John Cena as the first contender for the highly coveted title.
However, WWE needs to decide on a proper storyline for him and the United States title. In this regard, veteran superstars like Damien Priest and youngsters like Aleister Black can be the right fit as contenders for the coveted title currently held by Zayn.
That moment when Sami Zayn finally dethroned Gunther after 666 days… pure chills 🥶🔥 pic.twitter.com/W0LkpW5iuF
Friday Night SmackDown needs to ace storyline progression, and putting it back to a decent place in the viewership charts is a huge task in front of the WWE creative heads. The manner in which the blue brand is doing things at the moment is evidently not working; some significant and consequential changes are required.
These superstars possess the ability and right skill-set to not only enhance their respective professional wrestling careers but also attract increased viewership for Friday Night SmackDown; however, only time will tell whether the company decides to bank on them and steer the direction of the blue brand back on track.
What are your thoughts on the declining viewership of Friday Night SmackDown? Share with us in the comments below.
