Major changes expected tonight on WWE SmackDown - Reports
The WWE Universe is buzzing in a major way as the company prepares for a new era of SmackDown. Several big matches are planned for tonight's Season Premiere, and more notable happenings are rumored. Officials are also working on several key changes for the USA Network return, and some have leaked from backstage with a few hours until showtime.
Sources may have leaked a major logo change for SmackDown today, one that is much different from the one revealed last week. There are other WWE TV changes rumored for later this year to go with the Fall/Winter seasons. However, a new report from Fightful Select notes that World Wrestling Entertainment is loading up tonight's Season Premiere, but they are also working on additional adjustments that are on the way.
SmackDown is expected to get a new theme song, which will apparently be introduced tonight. While there aren't many details on the actual song, word is that this will be a track done by a "legit artist," but no context or details were provided. SmackDown has used "Nobody Better Than Me" by Def Rebel and Supreme Madness since October 2022.
WWE is also expected to make a significant change to the end of the episodes. The company's number-two show will now have more flexibility than usual when it comes to the show-closing moments. While on FOX for the past five years, SmackDown went off the air closer to 9:58pm ET to prevent interference with local newscasts. Despite RAW not having many overruns in recent years, the USA Network is more flexible for the most part.
The company recently announced that RAW would go back to two hours until the end of the year ahead of the Netflix premiere. The change and the return to the USA Network has led to speculation on WWE potentially going to three hours on Friday nights. However, the new report from Fightful notes how WWE confirmed to them that SmackDown will remain two hours.
WWE SmackDown updated lineup for tonight
World Wrestling Entertainment will present the SmackDown Season Premiere tonight at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. This will mark the blue brand's return to the USA Network.
Two major debuts are being speculated on for tonight's SmackDown. Below is the current lineup:
- Steel Cage Match for the Undisputed Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Solo Sikoa (match will open the broadcast)
- Best Of Five Series Finale: Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes
- A-Town Down Under vs. Kevin Owens and a mystery partner
The WWE website has LA Knight, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Bayley advertised to appear. The arena website also has Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair advertised, as well as two RAW dark matches: Gunther vs. Damian Priest, and Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser.