The USA Network and WWE are working together once again to put together a “WWE Week” of programming, featuring eight hours of new WWE content, along with a guest appearance from a WWE Superstar on a USA show. I guess characters really are welcome!
This has become something of an annual tradition, where WWE content dominates USA Network during a week in December. Here’s how the schedule looks.
Monday, December 11 – Monday Night Raw from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio at 8 p.m. ET. Already announced for the show is Braun Strowman vs. Kane in a huge grudge match that has been building for months, beginning when Kane put Strowman in a garbage truck at TLC in October.
Tuesday, December 12 – Smackdown Live from the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio at 8 p.m. ET. Nothing has been announced yet. Since Smackdown airs on Tuesday night, they will likely set up something big to capitalize on WWE Week.
Wednesday, December 13 – For first time ever, NXT will air a one-hour episode on USA Network at 8 p.m. ET that was recently taped at Full Sail University in Orlando.
The NXT episode is considered an experiment to see how it does. Perhaps USA Network would be willing to make NXT a USA Network show in their next contract with WWE (assuming WWE re-signs with them).
Thursday, December 14 – From the press release:
“WWE and USA Network will celebrate our nation’s heroes with the two-hour TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS celebration, taking place at the Naval Base San Diego.”
The Tribute to the Troops special will feature Superstars from Raw and Smackdown. It is being taped on Tuesday in San Diego, several hours before the Smackdown taping. It was also announced on Raw that singer Machine Gun Kelly will be performing on the show, and WWE posted this interview with him.
Also on Thursday: “USA Network’s epic 1930s saga DAMNATION will premiere an all-new episode, guest starring WWE Superstar Harper.”
Saturday, December 16 – There will be an airing of The Rock’s movie Journey 2: The Mysterious Island at 6:30 p.m. ET as well.
Look for WWE to heavily promote this WWE week during Smackdown this week, and also next week’s Raw.
