The best sporting event in the world does not necessarily take place in a wrestling ring. Both WWE SmackDown and AEW Collision were in unusual peril on the weekend of November 1, 2025, of being outclassed by something that few sports television shows would find a contender to: the World Series.
The result? Historically low ratings and a grim realization that, in TV, timing is everything.
A Twofold Slugger: The Figures Speak Volumes.
SmackDown was shown on Friday, October 31, against World Series Game 6, and Collision was shown on Saturday, November 1, against World Series Game 7. The numbers were brutal:
- SmackDown attracted the lowest number of viewers and rating in the most important demographic of 18-49, 933,000, and a rating of 0.20, both all-time lows.
- Collision wasn’t spared. It recorded a total viewership of 217,000 and a rating of 0.03 in the 18-49, the lowest in its history.
- In the meantime, Game 7 of the World Series attracted a mind-blowing 24.8 million viewers and a 5.85 demo rating, in prime time only, which ended at 11 p.m. ET.
What the figures reveal is cat-eye: wrestling shows, which are up against live sporting events of marquee status, are not paying
Reasons This Deterioration Is Not Timing Only.
It is no secret that they aired during the World Series. But there’s more at play.
1. New Rating Methodology
The decline of SmackDown can also be partially explained by the introduction of a new system, “Big Data + Panel,” used to calculate television ratings, which helps to decrease the numbers, in particular among younger demographics.
2. Erosion of Must-Watch TV
Wrestling is built on anticipation, appointments, and buzz. The ability of massive live events to drain viewers leaves the fans with less urgency to turn on live, and long-term brand presence is at risk.
3. Cultural Shift in Viewing
Multi-screening, streaming, and social-media catch-up have altered the consumption of content by the fans. Wrestling brands might have to change their approach not only their plots and their strategy, too, to this new setting.
What This Means for WWE & AEW
For WWE (SmackDown):
The low numbers notwithstanding, SmackDown has remained the number one cable programming that Friday night, as it demonstrated itself strong despite unprecedented competition. But to head a weak department is no comfort. It provokes a dilemma: how to compete in case fans have a great alternative, live and striking.
For AEW (Collision):
The fact that Collision lost the key demo is troubling. Such lows may have an impact on advertiser confidence and future scheduling, as it is a show still building long-game momentum.
The next edition to be broadcast live in Houston will potentially assist in re-establishing storytelling, yet both brands currently require an immediate adjustment.
My Reflection: Adapt or Fade Crossroads of Wrestling.
Wrestling is not dead, had I been doing a post-mortem. Yet it is certainly facing the risk of becoming a dinosaur unless it can somehow distinguish itself among the existing competitive entertainment industry.
They are not the only rival wrestling shows in that world. The example of the World Series demonstrates that wrestling shows can be overpowered by big, non-wrestling sporting events, and that requires a new strategy.
Perhaps the lesson here:
- The episodes should be made unmissable.
- Raise live-event spectacle to overcome big alternative broadcasts.
- Adopt digital platforms and on-demand strategies in order to gain displaced audiences back.
Simply put, the future of wrestling will not be merely about fire in the ring; it will be a reshaping of the manner in which wrestling will be consumed and accessed by the audience in a changing media ecosystem.
