WWE Smackdown rating: Did NFL preseason games hurt the ratings?

Friday's WWE Smackdown television show drew a 1.89 rating, down from the 1.91 rating the show did the week before.

Powell's POV: TNA Impact Wrestling took a pounding on Thursday and I assume it was attributable to the Olympics and NFL preseason games. However, WWE didn't take a noticeable drop on Friday night, perhaps because there wasn't a big nationally televised game that night as TNA faced the night before. Either way, WWE can be pleased with the way their Friday night show held up against the Olympics and the first week of NFL preseason games.