WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, the storied series making its return to NBC after 16 years, experienced a considerable dip in ratings during its latest airing on January 25, 2025. The show scored a 0.33 rating in the 18-49 demographic, with 1.494 million viewers tuning in, as reported by Wrestlenomics.
These figures represent declines of 21.4% and 6% compared to the previous special aired on December 14, 2024, which garnered a 0.42 demo rating and drew 1.59 million viewers. Despite the drop, Saturday Night’s Main Event still held its ground amid fierce competition from other live sports programming.
On the night of the broadcast, the excitement wasn't limited to the wrestling ring. The NBA game featuring the Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Golden State Warriors on ABC overshadowed wrestling with a commanding 0.70 demo rating and 3.046 million viewers. Watching the results on the ESPN network's college basketball games also proved more appealing to some viewers, with the Houston-Kansas game attracting 1.69 million viewers and earning a 0.36 rating, and the Tennessee-Auburn matchup following closely with 1.745 million viewers and 0.40.
Given these competitors, WWE's performance can be considered relatively solid, especially since it was able to defeat AEW Collision, which managed to capture only 250,000 viewers and achieved just a 0.07 rating among the key demographic.
Backstage, the environment during Saturday Night’s Main Event has been described positively by WWE Hall of Famers like Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard. Addressing the atmosphere, Anderson reflected on his experience attending the event, praising WWE for its exceptional treatment of alumni: "Let’s face it, they’re just a world-class, first-class company, and they brought us in, and they treated us well. Better than well. It was just first class from the time you leave your house. They fly you in, put you in a nice hotel, provide car service for you, the catering is immaculate. Everybody there is smiling, shaking your hand."
Such sentiments highlight the dedication and professionalism within WWE, which undoubtedly contributes to the audience rallies, even if the viewership numbers on specific nights fluctuate.
The particulars from Anderson’s reflection shed light on what it means for WWE to curate the show’s atmosphere efficiently and how it relates to overall performance. He continued, "It’s not just a show. It’s … if you got picked to be on Saturday Night’s Main Event back when Tully and I were there, it meant Dick Ebersol saw something he liked, and he wanted you representing NBC and Saturday Night’s Main Event.”
Despite the recent drop, WWE is investing significantly to maintain its viewer interest through scheduled shows and returning triumphs to its ambitious strategy this year. They are continuously mapping out future broadcasts, including plans for July 2025, where SNME is set to go head-to-head against AEW’s All-In Texas event, adding yet another layer of rivalry to the wrestling sphere.
Moving away from network ratings, there remains the unknown factor of streaming views on Peacock, which Nielsen does not track. The absence of these numbers means the true viewership could be far larger than exhibited, as many fans watch matches online through various platforms. Nevertheless, the immediate figures provide insight: WWE is combating increased competition efficiently.
Although falling short against the commanding performance of ABCA's NBA Tuesday matchups, WWE’s weekend special retains loyal viewers and strong branding, exemplifying the resilient nature of wrestling entertainment amid changing viewer habits. There's much anticipation surrounding future events as the WWE continues to adapt its strategies to stay relevant, particularly against powerful rivals like AEW and the vast allure of live sports.
With viewership numbers continuing to fluctuate due to competitive sports broadcasting, only time will reveal how successful WWE's efforts will be over the longer term. The evening was exhilarating for wrestlers and fans alike, keeping the hope alive for even bigger ratings with upcoming events.