There have been reports that WWE Smackdown could have a new home as Amazon and others were listed as possible homes for Smackdown when their contract with Fox ends.
It looks like there’s a deal in place and Smackdown will be going back to the USA Network, and in the process the WWE is being paid $1.4 billion, or 40% more than Fox was paying for the show, in a five year deal.
WWE Secures $1.4 Billion From USA Network for Smackdown in October 2023
This isn’t a surprise as Smackdown has had several new homes over the years, but there’s something right about all of the WWE’s shows being on the same network. At least, for now.
According to the hollywoodreporter.com, Smackdown going to USA will mean the end of Raw and NXT on the network.
Despite being the home for Raw for years, NBC Universal may lose out on the product as there are reportedly numerous suitors waiting to add the shows to their lineups.
In addition to broadcasting Smackdown, it looks like the WWE is also going to get four primetime shows a year as was stated in a statement by the WWE:
“STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and NBCUniversal have agreed to a five-year domestic media rights partnership that will bring Friday Night SmackDown back to USA Network beginning October 2024. Additionally, beginning in the 2024/25 season, WWE will produce four primetime specials per year that will air on NBC, marking the first time WWE will air on the network in primetime.”
New opportunities
This opens up the question as to whether these will be newly produced shows or newly minted shows.
It’s possible it’ll be Saturday Night’s Main Event or another like that to help set the stage for WWE’s big four — WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, and SummerSlam.
It’ll be interesting to see what the WWE has in store, and we don’t have to wait for long as the move is reportedly set to be made in October 2023.
This has the potential to be an exciting time with more opportunities due to the WWE being able to expand its shows, but is it needed or wanted?
Given they already have three televised shows it’s easy to see why casual fans are struggling with an overdose of WWE and wrestling general with WWE and AEW each having three televised shows and Impact Wrestling one.
It breaks down to one show a day throughout the week and can test the most hardened fans love at times.
Do you think USA will find a way to keep all three shows? Let us know in the comments below.
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