Interesting note on WWE SmackDown's move in the United Kingdom - Reports
WWE shows are moving all over the place as RAW landed a monumental deal with Netflix, which begins in January 2025. According to a report, the first Friday Night SmackDown of 2025 might not air in the United Kingdom.
Earlier this year, WWE announced Monday Night RAW's move to Netflix in January 2025. Later, Friday Night SmackDown's return to the USA Network and NXT's debut on The CW was also revealed in the coming months. However, the deal with Netflix made all three shows available on the same platform outside the United States.
According to PWInsider, there's no word on whether the 3rd January edition of Friday Night SmackDown will air in the United Kingdom. The previous contract with TNT Sport expires on December 31st. However, the upcoming placeholder for the blue brand is stated as 10th January, and there's a chance the first SmackDown episode in 2025 might not air live.
There's no word on whether it's a technical issue, but it'll be interesting to see what WWE programming will look like in 2025.
WWE SmackDown to become a three-hour show from 2025
In 2012, Monday Night RAW became a super show and moved to a three-hour time slot under the old WWE regime. While the move wasn't appreciated by the audience, the management ran with it for years and continued the format under Triple H's regime.
Earlier this year, the promotion announced its move to Netflix, and many wondered if Monday Night RAW would go back to two hours. However, the show will return to the three-hour format after its recent break, and Friday Night SmackDown will also increase its time slot.
Recently, the company released an official statement regarding the blue brand's future and stated Friday Night SmackDown will become a three-hour show similar to its counterpart on Netflix.
"SmackDown continues to air on USA Network every Friday night at 8/7 C in the U.S. At the start of 2025, SmackDown will expand to three hours starting with the Jan. 3 episode from Phoenix, Arizona," stated the article.
A few names will switch brands in January 2025 and it'll be interesting to see which stars will remain on Friday Night SmackDown.