After months of speculation on what could happen to WWE’s premier shows, Monday Night Raw and Smackdown Live, it was announced on Tuesday that the weekly episodic shows will air on different networks beginning in 2019.
Both Raw and Smackdown have aired on back-to-back nights on the USA Network since 2016. With deals starting in October 2019, Raw will continue its three-hour run on the USA Network, while Smackdown will move back to Friday nights on FOX.
According to a release by WWE, Smackdown will remain a two-hour show as part of a five-year agreement. The show will hit broadcast television on October 4.
Raw will remain a three-hour episodic show as it continues it 25-year run on television, WWE announced in a separate release. The deal to stay with USA Network comes despite rumors that FOX executives sold WWE on moving Smackdown by saying NBC Universal was “embarrassed” by the product.
While the Monday night show shouldn’t be affected, Ring of Honor parent company Sinclair Broadcasting could spoil WWE’s move to Friday nights. After WWE reportedly blocked an ROH supershow in Madison Square Garden, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer speculated that Sinclair could preempt Smackdown on its 40+ FOX stations.
We’ll continue to track this story. With more than a year before Smackdown hits broadcast television, though, hopefully both sides are able to work things out.
