This past Friday, SmackDown made MyNetworkTV history for the 12th time, generating the most-watched telecast in the network’s history. The episode, in which John Cena’s pursuit of Edge’s World Heavyweight Title earned Big Show’s wrath, garnered a 2.3 rating, having been watched in 2,660,000 households throughout the U.S. with 3,996,000 total viewers. This record is coupled with the fact that more men watched SmackDown than any program on ABC, NBC or Fox, and more people watched SmackDown than any show on CW or both NBA games on ESPN combined.
Minyanville.com has an interview up with TNA President Dixie Carter where she talks about TNA business with the company doubling its revenue every year since 2006. Carter added, “At a time when people can’t buy expensive items, wrestling is a good way of suspending disbelief for just a minute. It can be perceived as blue collar but if you look at our audience you have guys who work at a bank and grandmas and kids and guys getting their masters degree. It’s so much more diverse than people perceive it to be.”